Thousands of wintering migratory birds will have more water and habitat thanks to the advocacy of Audubon California and its partners. Responding to the urging of a coalition of bird and conservation groups, USDA-NRCS created the winter waterfowl initiative. This voluntary program will provide financial and technical assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to agricultural producers who are willing to follow precise water management guidelines, developed and tested by Audubon California and Point Blue, on flooded agricultural fields. This will help prevent disease and starvation of migratory birds like Northern Pintails, Snow Geese, and Least Sandpiper who are crowding into limited wetlands in a severe drought year.

Snow Geese in flight over Sacramento Wildlife Refuge by George Lamson