As part of its continuing efforts to support California State Parks, Audubon California recently issued grants to two local Audubon chapters to work with State Parks on park land. The grants are funded by an endowment set up by Audubon California to provide long-term financial assistance to California State Parks for important conservation, restoration and public outreach projects.

Redwood Region Audubon received $7,500 for restoration to create three acres of habitat for the Western Snowy Plover Humboldt Lagoons State Park, and conduct outreach to park visitors on the need to protect this endangered species. Morro Coast Audubon received $2,500 to monitor bird populations at Morro Bay State Park and educate the public about birds and habitat in the area.

 “Our state parks not only provide important habitat for birds and other wildlife, they are the places where millions of Californians experience the beauty of nature firsthand,” said Graham Chisholm, executive director of Audubon California. “One way that we can ensure that these special places are protected and enhanced is to bring Audubon funding and volunteers to them.”

When Audubon California created the Audubon California State Parks Endowment in 2007, it was the most recent expression of a long-standing partnership between the two organizations. Audubon California continues to raise funds and contribute to this endowment, which is expected to pay out about 5 percent annually to fund projects throughout the state park system selected by Audubon through a competitive process involving local Audubon chapters and California State Parks.

The relationship between Audubon and California State Parks goes back to the 1960s when the state was beginning to identify and prioritize the protection of key natural areas for their scenic, natural, historical and recreational potential. Since then, the two organizations have partnered on many conservation and education projects, with Audubon contributing not just funding, but technical support and volunteers as well.

“Audubon California has forged a unique, cooperative relationship with State Parks that enhances our common goals of protecting wildlife species and habitats across the State,” said State Parks’ Director Ruth Coleman. “One of the great benefits of this program is that it fosters a sense of investment in local state parks on the part of the chapters and volunteers involved with each project.”

California State Parks constitute a vital portion of conserved bird and wildlife habitat. Fifty state parks have been designated Important Bird Areas by Audubon California because of the essential habitat they provide for breeding, wintering and migrating birds.