San Francisco, CA – From the City to Silicon Valley, from North Bay to East Bay to South Bay – local Audubon chapters are voicing strong support in their communities for a ballot measure that will restore one of the Western Hemisphere’s most important places for birds. Measure AA, dubbed the “Clean and Healthy Bay Ballot Measure,” will appear on the June 7 ballot in all nine Bay Area counties, and will raise approximately $500 million for wetland restoration throughout San Francisco Bay.

In recent weeks, the eight Bay Area chapters have made it clear that they support Measure AA. The chapters include: Golden Gate Audubon (San Francisco/Oakland), Madrone Audubon (Sonoma County), Marin Audubon, Mount Diablo Audubon (Contra Costa Audubon), Napa-Solano Audubon, Ohlone Audubon (Alameda County), Santa Clara Valley Audubon and Sequoia Audubon (San Mateo County).

“It’s great to see this outpouring of local support for Measure AA from every corner of San Francisco Bay,” said Brigid McCormack, executive director of Audubon California, which also supports the ballot measure. “Audubon chapters are a community’s connection to birds and nature – these are your friends and neighbors and coworkers.”

The Clean and Healthy Bay Ballot Measure will create a $12 per parcel tax for the next twenty years. The $500 million it is expected to raise will leverage additional state and federal funding for bay restoration.

“Not only will the restored wetlands and cleaner water support myriad species of shorebirds and waterfowl that rely on the Bay, but Measure AA will increase public access to the shoreline and provide recreational and educational opportunities,” said Golden Gate Audubon Executive Director Cindy Margulis.

“Measure AA will provide essential funding to protect and restore habitats that are vital for our resident and migratory bird populations to survive and thrive," said Barbara Salzman, President of Marin Audubon.

“It’s really about time that we made this investment to protect birds and habitat in one of North America’s most biodiverse areas,” said Ralph Schardt, executive director of Santa Clara Valley Audubon.

“Because San Francisco Bay is so central to the lives of everyone who lives here, Measure AA has real benefits for every person in the Bay Area,” said Wendy Schackwitz, president of the Napa-Solano Audubon Society.

“San Francisco Bay is truly our great shared treasure,” said Jimm Edgar, President of the Mount Diablo Audubon Society. “Not only will it improve things for birds and other wildlife, but it will make it easier for everyone to enjoy it.”

Bay Area Audubon chapters and Audubon California are part of a broad coalition of environmental and business groups supporting the measure.

More than a million shorebirds and waterfowl use San Francisco Bay habitat at the height of migration, and the area includes twelve spots designated as Important Bird Areas due to the high number of rare and endangered bird species as well as the sheer number of birds supported by the bay and surrounding wetlands.

Perhaps the most numerous of these birds are the Greater and Lesser Scaup, along with Bufflehead and Ruddy Ducks. Surf Scoters – with their white, red, yellow and black bills – were once plentiful in San Francisco Bay, but have declined considerably in recent years. Wetlands restoration will also greatly help the recovery of the federally-endangered Ridgway’s Rail. Other birds include Western and Clark’s Grebes, Wigeon, Pintails, Coots, Cormorants and Loons.

Restoring San Francisco Bay’s wetlands will protect shoreline communities from rising waters attributable to climate change. More than $60 billion in homes, businesses, and crucial infrastructure is at risk, including ports, airports, roads, office buildings, and entire neighborhoods at or below sea level. A March 2015 report commissioned by the Bay Area Council found that an extreme storm event could cost our region $10.4 billion, almost as much as the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.

About Audubon California 

Audubon California is building a better future for California by bringing people together to appreciate, enjoy and protect our spectacular outdoor treasures. With more than 200,000 members and supporters in California and an affiliated 48 local Audubon chapters, Audubon California is a field program of the National Audubon Society.

More information is available at www.ca.audubon.org.

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