Latest News and Updates from Audubon in California
California Condor. Photo: Scott Frier/USFWS
Robert Snow, president of the Fresno Audubon Society, argues in the Fresno Bee that Proposition 68 is a smart investment in California that will benefit all of us:
The Golden State’s incredible natural treasures are woven into our identity as Californians. And that is why we always react with such outrage when these treasures are threatened by things like oil spills, development and habitat destruction.
But there is another threat that doesn’t get a lot of headlines, but is no less devastating: lack of funding. Not only does this contribute to the slow deterioration of parks and open space, but it divides our populace into those that have access to nature and those that don’t. The result is that huge swaths of Californians don’t reap the many benefits of the outdoors, and don’t form the bond with nature that drives so many of us to protect the environment.
The Los Angeles Times has a strong story out today about how patience is running out for the state to make good on its promises at the Salton Sea:
Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia watched with ill-disguised frustration as a hearing aimed at expediting state projects to restore habitat and control dust storms at the shrinking Salton Sea instead dissolved into discussion of why the efforts were falling further behind schedule.
"We have a plan, we have money, there is additional money lined up, and we have a constituency — myself included — that is running out of patience," Garcia (D-Coachella), chairman of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife, said.
Marcos Trinidad at the Audubon Center at Debs Park in Los Angeles and Robert Snow of Fresno Audubon make the case that Prop 68 will help fill the need for parks and park repairs in their communities and throughout California. Let us know that you're a YES on Prop. 68.
Have you heard of the Land and Water Conservation Fund? This important federal program helps conserve parks and natural areas that provide habitat for birds and other animals. Jody Hallstrom, Conservation Chair at the Stanislaus Audubon Society, describes all the benefits this program has provided to her county and explains why Congressman Jeff Denham should add his name to a bill that would permanently authorize the LWCF. Check out her persuasive op-ed in the Modesto Bee here.
The story of the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary is an amazing tale of of a community rising up to defend a natural treasure in their community. With the Center's 60th anniversary, Audubon created this great video reviewing the history of the place, and what it portends for the future.
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