Federal State of the Birds report highlights work with California rice growers

The U.S. Department of Interior this week issued its fourth annual State of the Birds report, and this year’s document focused on conservation on private lands. With more than 60 percent of America’s land in private hands, partnerships to make these lands better for birds becomes essential. Audubon’s many such partnerships are highlighted in the report, including Audubon California’s work with in the Migratory Bird Conservation Partnership, along with Point Blue (formerly PRBO Conservation Science) and The Nature Conservancy. This partnership has worked closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to partner with rice growers to enroll more than 100,000 acres of rice land, representing 20 percent of rice acreage in California, into bird-friendly management practices through the Waterbird Habitat Enhancement Program (photo of Long-billed Curlew by Jason Crotty).

"American landowners play a critical role in the future of America's native birds. From California's rice fields to Vermont's forests, landowners are finding ways to protect birds and earn income at the same time," said Audubon President and CEO David Yarnold. "But the support for many of those practical solutions is disappearing because a dysfunctional Congress can't pass the Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is America's bridge between agriculture and conservation - and conservation doesn't have a political party. Those critical parts of the Farm Bill allow landowners to participate in programs that promote conservation measures on private lands."

Examples of Audubon's partnerships to promote conservation on private lands across America, as cited in the report: