Audubon California Chapter Network

San Bernardino Valley Audubon protects Santa Ana River

2012-01-15T10:07:00.000-08:00

LA TIMES story reports on lawsuit filed by enviros including San Bernardino Valley Audubon over critical habitat for a fish in the Santa Ana River. Protecting the habitat will also protect habitat for birds.
Read the story here

Those of us in the SoCAL Council get to hear first hand from Drew Feldman, Conservation Chair of San Bernardino Valley Audubon, about the progress on the chapters litigation efforts, some of which has received awards for being precedent setting on climate change.

Santa Barbara Audubon's Steve Ferry goes solar!

2011-11-04T08:17:00.000-07:00

This email was received from Santa Barbara Audubon's Conservation Chair and Central Coast rep on Audubon California Board. He is walking the talk!

Dear Family and Friends,

Betty and I have had a solar photovoltaic system installed on our house. It’s a 5 kilowatt system. The area of the panels is about 400 square feet. Attached is a photo of the panels, which are installed over the garage. We were lucky in that the roof points almost due south and the slope of the roof is almost optimum for maximum energy production for a fixed-panel system at this latitude.

The inverter is shown in the other photo. The inverter converts the direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). The inverter is about 96% efficient in converting DC to AC.

The AC feeds directly into our house wiring. So whenever our house is using power during the day, the system supplies power directly to the house. Any excess power that we produce will go into the grid and power the houses around us. When we’re producing more power than we use, our electric meter runs backwards and we get credit for the power. If we produce more power than we use overall during the calendar year, Southern California Edison will pay us for the excess power. However, they will only pay about 4 cents per kilowatt-hour. They charge 13 – 31 cents per kilowatt-hour to their customers who use that power!

We had our system installed under the auspices of a program called “Solarize Santa Barbara”, sponsored by a local environmental group, the Community Environmental Council. The company that installed the system is REC Solar. We were happy with REC’s performance.

We were able get a few discounts on the system: California Solar Initiative rebate, federal income tax credit, Solarize Santa Barbara discount, Costco rebate, American Express rewards rebate. The payback period on the investment is expected to be 8.7 years. The calculated Return on Investment is somewhere around 10% according to the solar company. I’m a little dubious of that, but if it’s anywhere near true, it’s a much better use of your money than a bank account!

We fired up the system and it works great! It produced over 4.3 kilowatts peak around noon. Not bad for October! Total production for one day with fog in the morning and sunny afternoon was about 22 kilowatt-hours, better than expected.

We’re happy with the system! We feel like we’re doing our part to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere and our country’s dependence on foreign energy sources. We’re also happy that the investment will pay off in several years.

Next up: electric car!

Regards,
Steve

NOTE: Audubon California has established a wind network and a solar network on google groups for chapter leaders. Log in to www.googlegroups.com and search these listservs and sign on to read posts or start a discusssion.

Audubon Society Chapters, California Attorney General and Wind Companies reach agreement on Altamont pass

2010-12-06T16:40:00.000-08:00

(Berkeley, California, December 6, 2010) In cooperation with the California Attorney General’s Office, five Bay Area Audubon Society chapters and Californians for Renewable Energy (CaRE) have reached an agreement with wind energy operators owned by NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, to expedite the replacement of old wind turbines in the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area with new, larger wind turbines that are less likely to harm birds.

Golden Gate Audubon, Santa Clara Valley Audubon, Mt. Diablo Audubon, Ohlone Audubon, and Marin Audubon joined the Attorney General’s Office in negotiating an agreement that addresses the state’s need for renewable wind energy and the state’s obligation to protect resident and migratory birds.

“Our agreement sets an aggressive schedule for removing the old-generation turbines and replacing them with new-generation turbines that should substantially reduce impacts to birds,” said Michael Lynes, Conservation Director with the Golden Gate Audubon Society. “According to experts studying the Altamont Pass, the removal of the old turbines and replacement with properly-sited turbines may reduce impacts to birds by as much as 80%.”

Altamont Pass was heavily developed for wind power generation in the late 1970s and early 1980s, eventually including more than 5800 turbines covering a 56 mi2 area in eastern Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. These lands at one time provided ample habitat for birds and still serves as an important migratory corridor for Golden Eagles and other raptors. For much of the last decade, the Bay Area Audubon chapters and the operating wind companies have struggled to agree on ways to reduce impacts to birds, bats and other wildlife while fostering the environmental and economic benefits of wind energy generation in the Altamont Pass.

The new agreement reflects the consensus of the Alameda County Scientific Review Committee that the only way to significantly reduce impacts to birds and keep wind energy generation in Altamont Pass is to remove the old-generation wind turbines and replace them with better sited, new-generation models. And, regardless of whether the NextEra Energy Resources companies replace all of their turbines on this expedited schedule, they have committed to ceasing all operations of their old turbines by the end of 2015, three years before they are required to do so under their current permits.

“This agreement addresses the problem arising throughout the state: balancing the need for renewable energy generation with subsequent impacts to wildlife,” said Bob Power, Executive Director of the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society. “We appreciate NextEra leading the way in the Altamont Pass to remove the old turbines and properly install new ones that should significantly reduce risks to birds. We are also mindful that impacts to wildlife will continue and the Audubon chapters will remain engaged in conservation planning and advocacy on behalf of birds and other wildlife in the Altamont Pass and throughout the Bay Area.”

Golden Gate Audubon Society, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, Marin Audubon Society, Mt. Diablo Audubon Society, and Ohlone Audubon Society are independent nonprofit organizations dedicated to protecting birds, other wildlife, and their natural habitats. They conserve and restore wildlife habitats, connect people of all ages and backgrounds with the natural world, and educate and engage Bay Area residents in the protection of our shared, local environment.

5 Chapters win Collaborative Funding grants for 2011

2010-12-06T16:34:00.000-08:00

Audubon California announced the winners of 2011 Collaborative Funding, emphasizing that two of the grant projects will create templates that can be shared throughout the Chapter network.

-San Diego Audubon $ 3,000 with matching funds of $ 18,500 from the San Diego Audubon Society and Patagonia to develop and implement a Wildlife Conservationist Training Program to create a base of new long-term wildlife advocates mentored by San Diego Audubon’s current conservationists, and to share the program with other chapters.

-Fresno Audubon $ 3,000 with matching funds of $500 and $12,000 in in-kind volunteer hours from the chapter for Advocating for the Conservation of the Environment (ACTE) program to enlist new, diverse youth in conservation of birds, and to provide and monitor nest boxes for Barn Owl and other species in the Central Valley.

-Plumas Audubon $ 2,297.95 with matching funds of $1,949.85 from Eagle Optics and $ 260 from chapter members for an education program that uses binoculars and field guides to learn about migratory birds in Important Bird Areas in Plumas County.

-Peregrine Audubon $ 2,500 to write the detailed curriculum on their successful education program FLIGHT SCHOOL to distribute to Audubon chapters throughout California.

-Eastern Sierra Audubon $ 2,000 with $ 8,000 in matching funds from Sierra Nevada Conservancy, Sorensens Resort, and the chapter to bring Jack Laws to classrooms in 10 schools the Eastern Sierra to engage youth in Sierra nature and birds.

Audubon California received proposals were received from 7 chapters requesting a total of $ 19,936 with matching funds of over $ 30,000, and we wish we could fund them all.

Santa Clara Valley Audubon files lawsut over solar project in Panoche Valley

2010-12-01T16:39:00.000-08:00

Hollister, CA – Following the approval of a conditional use permit and other authorizations for the Panoche Valley Solar Project, Save Panoche Valley and Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society joined in filing a petition in Superior Court challenging the certification of the Panoche Valley project Environmental Impact Report. A project of Solargen Energy, Inc., the entire proposed project footprint is roughly 5,000 acres of grazing land in Eastern San Benito County.

The Panoche Valley is designated Core Habitat for the blunt-nosed leopard lizard, San Joaquin kit fox, and giant kangaroo rat, all federally and state endangered species. Additionally, the valley is designated an Audubon Important Bird Area of Global Significance due to rare bird species, including the Mountain Plover, a candidate for the federal endangered species list.

The petition itemizes numerous inadequacies in the environmental analysis that is provided to inform decision-makers.

“The environmental analysis has been reviewed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Both of these agencies, as well as numerous environmental organizations, have found the analysis, as well as the mitigations that are proposed to compensate for harmful impacts on endangered species, to be grossly inadequate. In other words, the project might have irreversible impacts on the survival of several species, and it has the potential to significantly contribute to the risk of extinction of these species” said Shani Kleinhaus, Santa Clara Valley Audubon’s environmental advocate.

The petition goes on to list inadequacies in the analysis of impacts on air quality, prime farmland, soil erosion, cultural resources, hazardous materials and emissions, hydrology and water quality, wildfires, and noise. “At its most basic level, the environmental document is supposed to inform the public and decision-making body of the full extent of impacts the project will have on the environment and on public safety and health. This document was so quickly put together it never addressed these basic issues or do so only in a cursory manner,” said Kleinhaus. “In no way does this environmental impact report provide the public and public officials with the information necessary to make an informed decision as to the losses, the costs and the risks associated with this project.”

The draft environmental impact report looked at four different project alternatives, and even with the smallest sized alternative, government agencies found irreversible, unmitigable impacts on wildlife and habitat. “One of many issues with this analysis was the narrow range of alternatives that were studied,” said Kleinhaus. “We expected alternatives to review brownfield sites, distributed solar as an alternative, and other locations in San Benito Co. None of these were analyzed. In addition, there is a feasible alternative that is less environmentally damaging, which involves developing the solar project on the Westlands property in Fresno County.”

“Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society supports sustainable energy programs that foster the development of renewable energy resources while focusing on energy conservation. We encourage the promotion of solar energy projects, policies and programs that focus on solar energy production in existing and planned communities, but do not impact landscapes that have agricultural or habitat value,” said Kleinhaus. “We support projects that do not endanger species, or the survival and health of the residents of rural communities.”

Wintu Audubon creates artificial burrows for Burrowing owl in Northern California

2010-11-10T10:16:00.000-08:00

Using a grant from Audubon California, members of Wintu Audubon and other local bird enthusiasts in February constructed eight artificial burrows for Burrowing Owls in Chico. The weather held as the group installed two groups of four burrows each in the heavy wet soil of a location where the habitat will be conserved in perpetuity by the private property owner. Wintu Audubon conceived of the project because of the decline of Burrowing Owls, which is a California Species of Special Concern.

This type of habitat is important as increased development projects often result in the eviction of owls, caving in burrows and killing of the resident owls. According to local biologists, Burrowing Owls have been seen at the project location for nearly 20 years. Shortly after the project was completed, a Burrowing Owl was seen in the entrance of one of the artificial burrows. We are not sure if this is the one wintering there, or a new bird.

The project was funded through an Audubon California collaborative funding grant, which supports chapter conservation projects. Read more about the project in Wintu Audubon’s newsletter (page 7).

Photo courtesy Wintu Audubon. Pictured from left: Michelle Ocken, George Horn, Dorothy Davis, Dawn Garcia, Steve King, Nancy Nelson, Lonnie Swartout, Michele Swartout, Claudia Lyons-Yerion and Larry Jordan.

Sierra Foothills Audubon restores habitat in Placer Nature Center for Yellow-breasted chat, Yellow warbler

2010-09-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

With a Collaborative Funding grant from Audubon California, Sierra Foothills Audubon restored grasslands and riparian habitat in the Sierra to benefit species of birds on the Watch List.

Volunteers in the restoration included youth, pictured here during one of the restoration days.

Read more about the restoration in Sierra Foothills newsletter The Phoebe online at http://www.sierrafoothillsaudubon.com/

Pasadena and LA Audubon present 4th year of AUDUBON FILM FRIDAYS at Debs

2010-09-01T08:28:00.000-07:00

Pasadena Audubon Society and Los Angeles Audubon Society joined with Audubon Center at Debs Park to present the fourth year of AUDUBON FILM FRIDAYS, a summer series of free, outdoor, once a month high quality screenings of films about nature and conservation preceded by a bird walk. The last screening was on August 27, 2010.

This year's films included ROCK THE BOAT, a video documentary of the kayak ride down the LA River that proved the river is navigable reversing the ruling of the EPA, and FLY AWAY HOME the true story of one young girl's determination to help her Canada geese migrate naturally. The films are shown in English with Spanish sub-titles, or Spanish with English sub-titles.

Shown here are Pasadena Audubon's Ron Cyger with LA Audubon's President Travis Longcore after the bird walk.

Audubon California and chapters meet to talk about nature education

2010-08-30T16:52:00.000-07:00

Audubon California and local chapters in California have long felt that nature education is conservation. What this means is that if we want to protect the state’s magnificent natural treasures into the future, we need to ensure that the next generation of Californians appreciates the great outdoors as much as we do. In an effort to improve all of our programs, representatives of Audubon California and northern California chapters gathered last Saturday at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary for a Chapter Education Summit. The goals were to talk about our mutual goals, share programmatic ideas, and learn about each other’s curricula. But most of all, this was just a forum to find ways to share ideas and help each other succeed.

Participating chapters included representatives from Plumas Audubon, Yolo Audubon, Sacramento Audubon, Sierra Foothills Audubon, Central Sierra Audubon, Santa Clara Valley Audubon, Peregrine Audubon, Sequoia, Mendocino Audubon, Napa/Solano Audubon, and Golden Gate Audubon.

Peregrine Audubon kicked off the summit with a presentation of their multiple-visit bird focused education program, Flight School. This program includes a classroom visits and then a field trip where kids really become scientists. This is a great program and incorporates all the components Audubon strives for in an environmental education program.

Another summit was held on August 28 at Audubon Center at Debs Park with Los Angeles Audubon, San Bernardino Valley Audubon, San Fernando Valley Audubon, Sea & Sage Audubon, Ventura Audubon, Conejo Valley Audubon, Kerncrest Audubon and San Diego Audubon attending.

Sea & Sage Audubon's Queen of the Marsh Trude Hurd gave a presentation on the chapter's programs at San Jacinto Marsh in Irvine.

Results of the Summits will be posted on line at the Chapter Network Site www.ca.audubon.org/chapters.php

Important wetlands protected in So. California

2010-08-30T16:31:00.000-07:00

The State Wildlife Conservation board approved the purchase of the Hellman Ranch wetlands, adding its 100 acres to about 62 other acres already set aside for restoration. The wetlands are part of Los Cerritos Wetlands, a corridor of important bird habitat along the Long Beach-Orange County shoreline.

El Dorado Audubon in Long Beach has worked to protect, help acquire, and monitor this site for years under the direction of Conservation Chair Mary Parsell.

Way to go Mary!

Calfornia Chapters win Together Green grants!

2010-08-30T16:24:00.000-07:00

San Bernardino Valley Audubon, Monterey Audubon and Los Angeles Audubon will receive $ 48,000 in Audubon Toyota Together Green Innovation grants to restore habitat and educate youth in Southern California.

San Bernardino Valley Audubon recieves $18,000 for an education program for underserved youth at a Cahuilla Wetlands restoration site at the Salton Sea, Monterey Audubon will receive $20,000 for a restoration project on Carmel River at the Hilton Bialek habitat that includes an education program for youth, and Los Angeles Audubon receives $10,000 for continuation of the Baldwin Hills Greenhouse Intern program and Restoration Leaders program in partnership with Newfields in the new Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook State Park.

Congratulations to these California chapters!

Altacal wins Bank Swallow grant!

2010-03-17T08:21:00.000-07:00

Dawn Garcia, Conservation Chair of Altacal Audubon in Chico, announced that the chapter has been awarded a $3,000 grant from Fund for Wild Nature for the development of a Bank Swallow brochure to be distributed to landowners along the Sacramento River. Bank swallows nest in sandy banks along the river, and is a California threatened species from loss of habitat.

LADWP DROPS GREEN PATH NORTH

2010-03-12T09:44:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power announced that it has dropped plans to build an 85-mile-long "green" power transmission line across desert wilderness preserves and scenic ridgelines including Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, a favorite birding spot for LA Audubon birders and an Audubon California Important Bird Area. This follows three years of opposition from environmental groups including Los Angeles Audubon, San Bernardino Valley Audubon, California Desert Coalition and Wildlands Conservancy.

While supporting renewable energy, the environmental groups advocated that LADWP use transmission lines that already exist rather than build new ones through pristine habitat. The Green Path was planned to go through Pioneertown near Yucca Valley, Pipes Canyon Wilderness Preserve as well as Morongo.

Full story in LA TIMES here

San Bernardino Valley Audubon helps save Joshua Tree from becoming a dump

2010-03-07T10:00:00.001-08:00

Thanks to all of you, we’ve scored a big win for conservation in the Joshua Tree National Park. You might recall that last December, we told you about a proposed landfill just outside of Joshua Tree National Park that threatened some of the most precious desert landscape in the nation. Although two courts had blocked the project, the Department of Interior was giving serious consideration to launching another appeal. This week, Interior decided against the appeal after many of you expressed your opposition to the plan. If the Eagle Mountain landfill ever went forward, this part of California’s fragile desert ecosystem — home to many species of concern such as the Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, California Black Rail, and desert tortoise — would instead become home to huge amounts of waste. The Audubon effort to kill this project was led by the local San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society. A large coalition of conservation and civic organizations fought the Interior move.

The proposed Eagle Mountain dump would have been the repository for Los Angeles County’s garbage for the next 117 years, becoming the nation’s largest garbage dump on 3,481 acres of federal land. Joshua Tree Wilderness areas are located to the north, west, and south, forming an amphitheater around the proposed dump, with a buffer of a mere 2,500 yards to the Park’s boundary. The proposed site was in the heart of an area that a former park superintendent said “offers the most refuge for the greatest number of species from human impacts of any area in southern California.” In addition, the proposed dump site would have been directly across from the Eagle Mountain Elementary School. Idling trains & trucks spewing diesel, landfill gas, dust, and support facilities would have pumped 5,000 tons of air pollution annually, affecting the school children and residents of the surrounding area. Now those residents can breathe a deep sigh of relief.

Ventura Audubon starts Snowy Plover Art contest with workshop

2010-03-03T12:39:00.000-08:00

Ventura Audubon chapter leader Jane Spillman reports: "We had our first workshop for our "Share the Shore Children's Poster Project at the Gull Wings Children's Museum in Oxnard Feb. 20. Here is a photo of fourth grader Alex Shaw and the sign he made "Save the world - Save the birds". We have teacher packets out with about 20 classrooms, and are excited to see the artwork which will be coming back to us soon! Thank you to Mendocino Audubon for letting Ventura Audubon use the wonderful teacher materials you developed and the delightful "Pink Lady" story to jump start our project here!

Sacramento Audubon ranks fifth in US in Great Backyard Bird Count

2010-03-02T14:49:00.000-08:00

Workshops and field trips, plus better publicity, helped Sacramento birders place fifth nationally in number of checklists submitted in this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count. This more than accomplishing Sacramento Audubon’s goal of ranking among the top ten cities on the13th annual GBBC. The local newspaper, the Sacramento Bee, was engaged by the challenge to help make Sacramento a “Top Ten City.” They helped publicize workshops (340 attended 6 workshops) and promote the count on GBBC Saturday. To engage the younger crowd, we gave 2 performances of the Fenner Family’s GBBC puppet show.

The count is both educational and recreational and from the SAS Education Committee’s point of view, a wonderful opportunity to introducing the larger community to birding by showing them how much is going on right in their own backyards. The workshops , held in public libraries throughout Sacramento County, covered the hows and whys of the GBBC commitment (10-15 minutes) followed by a 45 minute presentation on Sacramento backyard birds. Our main objective is to connect folks with nature and make them aware of the value of citizen science. While our new membership numbers did not increase markedly, the goodwill generated by the workshops was evident in the comments of folks after the presentations. As a result, SAS Beginning Birder Field Trips for February and March filled quickly. Benefits to the chapter also included a contact list of 178 new birders and book sales of $300.

With lists still coming in, National Audubon has tallied 422 lists from the Sacramento area out of the 5069 submitted for California. Total numbers are not yet available, but birds of 128 species were reported on Sacramento checklists.

Eastern Sierra Audubon holds May 1 Big Day on Owens Lake!

2010-03-02T14:03:00.000-08:00

Volunteers are needed for our 2010 Spring Big Day bird census May 1st at Owens Lake. The Owens Lake Important Bird Area is one of the Eastern Sierra's greatest treasures. Last year's count had 62,000 birds! The census will primarily cover the Los Angeles Owens Lake dust control project which has attracted tens of thousands of migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. All of us will get together in the afternoon for food, story telling and a tally. Please consider joining us and contact Mike Prather, mprather@lonepinetv.com

4 coastal chapters win Snowy Plover Art grants

2010-02-17T14:47:00.000-08:00

Ventura Audubon, Los Angeles Audubon, San Diego Audubon and Redwood Region Audubon will each receive around $4,000 to hold a Western Snowy Plover art contest for young children in their community, and to make signs to protect Plovers from the winning entries. Western Snowy Plover coastal populations are threatened and protected.
The grant program is modeled after the success of the program conducted by Mendocino Coast Audubon that resulted in a published children's book as well as signs.
The funding is provided as part of the Audubon/Toyota Pennies for the Planet program of Together Green with additional funding from a family foundation, and was dreamed up by Audubon California's Science, Seabird and IBA team.

2010 California State Parks grants announced

2010-02-17T10:15:00.000-08:00

Audubon California has announced that Morro Coast Audubon and Redwood Region Audubon will receive grants totalling $10,000 in the 2010 California State Parks grant funding program for chapters.

The program was inaugurated in 2009 following the sale by Audubon of the McVicar property in Clear Lake to California State Parks. The funds received from the sale were placed in an Audubon California endowment for annual grant funding for partnership projects between California chapters of Audubon and California State Parks staff to restore habitat, monitor populations of birds, or reach out to a new conservation constituency in California State Parks, with preference for projects in Important Bird Areas or that help a species of bird that is at risk. The inaudugural grant was awarded to Sequoia Audubon for a partnership project with Ano Nuevo State Park to restore habitat on Cascade Creek to benefit riparian species especially Common Yellowthroat.

Morro Coast Audubon will partner with Morro Bay State Park in monitoring succession of habitat from field to coastal sage scrub by monitoring the species of birds that migrate to the habitat using a MAPS monitoring program. The chapter will receive $2500 and will match with $2500 in chapter funds to launch the project.

Redwood Region Audubon will receive $7500 to partner with Humboldt Bay State Park to restore potential breeding habitat for Western Snowy Plover, and attempt to attract to the birds to the habitat.

The next request for proposals for the next round of California State Parks grants will be issued in late spring 2010, and will be posted on the Grant Opportunities page of the Chapter Network site here

2010 Collaborative Funding grants announced

2010-02-17T10:04:00.000-08:00

This year Audubon California had a record $51,239.65 in funding requests for outreach, education, and habitat restoration and monitoring, with $ 177,105.91 in secured or possible matching funds. We got proposals from 11 chapters, or 23% of the chapters in California.

The bad news is that due to the recession the budget approved by National Audubon Board for fiscal year 2009-2010 contains a reduction in Collaborative funding of 50% for this round. This October surprise caused us to rethink the projects and our selections, and delayed our announcement until December.

In consideration of the reduction in funding, our Selection Committee, in line with prior recommendations from Audubon California Board Chapter Committee, added some additional criteria in our selection process. We decided to eliminate chapters that have received Toyota Together Green, foundation, state agency, or previous Collaborative grant funding for the same project, or chapters whose projects were good candidates for foundation, state or federal funding such as Prop 84 or the MigratoryBird Partnership, and focus on chapters that are smaller, don’t usually apply or might not have other potential sources of funding, and that are willing to match the grant with their own funds.

This added criteria caused us to reluctantly eliminate some remarkable projects that we wholeheartedly support such as Pasadena Audubon’s trail signage in a new City of Pasadena park, Mendocino Coast and Morro Coast’s wonderful programs on Western Snowy Plovers, La Purisima’s engagement of the community at the Santa Ynez River estuary, San Diego Audubon and Los Angeles Audubon’s world class Education programs, the three chapter partnership between Fresno, San Joaquin and Stanilaus Audubon to create a birding trail map of the San Joaquin River, and Santa Barbara’s Eyes-in-the-Sky raptor education program, all of which are more than deserving of funding.

With only $ 13,000 to award, Audubon California has selected the following projects to receive Collaborative Funding grants for 2010:

Buena Vista Audubon $ 2,000 (with a match of $2,670 in chapter funds) for an outreach program aimed at three local colleges to engage a new conservation constituency.

Sierra Foothills Audubon $5,000 (with a match of $4,919.50 from chapter funds) to restore riparian habitat for the benefit of Yellow-breasted Chat and Yellow Warbler on the Traylor Ranch Sanctuary and Nature Preserve in the Sierra Foothills Important Bird Area, and to provide an education program for youth from Placer Nature Center

Wintu Audubon $ 3,000 for construction of artificial burrows for Burrowing Owl in Shasta County to help an at risk species.

Yolo Audubon $ 3,000 (with a match of chapter funds from Yolo, Sacramento, and San Joaquin Audubon) to help plan and present a symposium in 2011 on conservation concerns surrounding the Delta vision process with focus on species and habitat at risk in an Important Bird Area.

Congratulations to these four chapters and their leaders.

Next round of Collaborative Funding grants will be announced in Spring, 2010 on the Chapter Network Site. Go here.

Golden Gate, Santa Clara Valley Audubons answer article on Altamont

2009-10-28T09:50:00.000-07:00

The following was published in the East Bay Express on October 27 in response to an article by Robert Gammon. The original article is here.

Climate Change Threatens Birds

While well-intended, Robert Gammon's article suffers from the author's preconceptions about the controversy in the Altamont Pass and a lack of research. For one, Mr. Gammon's article relies on data from 2007 and prematurely concludes that wind turbines in the Altamont Pass are "shredding raptors at an increasing rate." Yet, as Dr. Smallwood of Alameda County's Scientific Review Committee explained later in the second to last paragraph of the article, everyone involved is waiting for the most recent mortality estimates to be released. Until the most recent mortality estimates are released, it is premature to conclude whether the wind companies' mortality reduction measures have worked.

Mr. Gammon's article fails to provide any context for wind energy or avian mortality in the Altamont or the complexity of the controversy. According to the National Audubon Society, climate change is expected to result in the loss of 25-33 percent of all species on earth, including many species of birds. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change anticipates that climate change will be the most significant driver in the loss of global biodiversity by the end of this century. In 2008, Governor Schwarzenegger issued a widely-lauded executive order to mandate that California get 33 percent of its power from renewable energy resources by 2020. Wind power is necessary to reach this goal and to minimizing impacts of climate change. Unfortunately, some degree of avian mortality appears inevitable wherever wind farms are developed.

Notably, Mr. Gammon's article fails to include interviews with representatives of the California Energy Commission, the California Department of Fish & Game, or the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — the agencies tasked with regulating energy development and wildlife resources in California. For decades, none of these agencies acted to reduce avian mortality in the Altamont.

Mike Boyd and Shawn Smallwood are right about many things. Too many birds continue to be killed in the Altamont unnecessarily. The settlement — to which CARE is a signatory — is a consensus document; and, we believe that the wind companies have not always met their obligations. We demanded that companies remove additional high-risk turbines after they missed some early deadlines. While we are concerned that the wind companies have not been adequately held accountable for the continued killing of birds in the Altamont, we all must wait for the most recent monitoring team report so that the Scientific Review Committee can determine whether measures implemented have been effective in reducing avian mortality in the Altamont.

We find it unfortunate that Mr. Boyd, or any observer, would consider Golden Gate Audubon (or any Audubon chapter) to be more "pro-wind" than "pro-bird." Our staff and volunteers dedicate every day to making the Bay Area a safer place for birds and other wildlife. Rather than offer cheap shots at those trying to solve these problems, we encourage everyone who cares about birds and other wildlife to get involved and help us solve this apparently intractable question: how do we develop new, renewable energy resources quickly and on a large scale in ways that protect current wildlife populations?

There are no easy answers, but we urge the East Bay Express' readers to help solve these problems by joining the stakeholder groups and public information meetings about wind power in the Altamont (and elsewhere) and by contacting their state legislators, the California Energy Commission, the Department of Fish & Game, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to enforce environmental laws and implement policies that protect birds and other wildlife as California develops renewable energy projects. Only with input from the public and the full involvement of state and federal agencies will we even begin to develop new energy resources wisely.

Mark Welther, Executive Director, Golden Gate Audubon

Bob Power, Executive Director, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society

Wintu Audubon leads wind energy mitigation effort in Shasta

2009-10-27T11:04:00.001-07:00

Wintu Audubon led efforts to mitigate for significant impacts on Bald Eagle and Sandhill Crane at the first wind energy project in Shasta County. Construction on the 42 turbine site begins in October, 2009. Energy developer Babcock & Brown agreed to fund research on Bald Eagle and to mitigate for habitat loss for Sandhill Crane at a ratio of 4 to 1. California Department of Fish & Game is purchasing wetlands to add to a reserve for Sandhills nearby. The efforts at Wintu were led by Conservation Chair Claudia Yerion-Lyons.

Mendocino CoastAudubon offers community service to beach violators

2009-10-27T10:56:00.001-07:00

Mendocino Coast member Becky Bowen reported at a recent Northern California Council meeting that the chapter has launched a workshop program for California State Parks and California State Department of Fish & Game rangers on beach violations as part of their SAVE OUR SHOREBIRDS program. Not only did citations for walking dogs off leash, vehicles and horses on beach and other violations increase 100% but Mendocino Coast offered to provide community service to convicted violators in the form of hours of shorebird monitoring. There's a win win.

Mendocino Coast Audubon watches Blue Whale

2009-10-27T10:51:00.000-07:00

At a NorCAL Council Meeting, Mendocino Coast reported on a Blue Whale that got beached on their coastline recently. Seems that the krill and other nutrients are very abundant and close to shore bringing the largest mammal on the planet within sight of the shore. MCA reported that the dead whale is a research opportunity for local students at Humboldt University.

Golden Gate Audubon receives national Environmental Education Award

2009-10-14T16:49:00.001-07:00

Golden Gate Audubon's Eco-Oakland program received the award for Outstanding Service to Environmental Education by an Organization operating at the local level at the October 5-7, 2009, conference of the North America Association of Environmental Education in Portland, Oregon. This is national recognition for a local education program. Shown here are Eco-Oakland Program Manager Anthony DeCicco and Golden Gate Executive Director Mark Welther receiving the award. Anthony and the Eco-Education youth gave one of the outstanding presentations at the March 2009 Assembly at Asilomar.

Photo: Harry W. Spillman

LA Audubon breaks ground on USF&W native plant garden at elementary school

2009-10-02T14:01:00.001-07:00

On September 25th, 2009 Dorsey High School students from the Baldwin Hills Restoration Leader and Greenhouse Internship programs visited Leo PolitiElementary School to teach students how to use compasses and test soil to prepare for restoration. Leo Politi students learned how to use a compass to measure the aspect of a slope and sampled three types of soil - pure sand, pure clay, and then a sample of their campus's soil. Restoration Leaders and Greenhouse Interns will be working with students at Leo Politi Elementary throughout the school year to help establish a native habitat garden as habitat for birds and other wildlife on the Leo Politi campus. Los Angeles Audubon, Leo Politi Elementary, the Greenhouse Program, and NewFields are working together with the help of a schoolyard habitat grant from US Fish & Wildlife.

30 Audubon chapters oppose drilling for oil in California coastal waters

2009-10-01T14:08:00.000-07:00

In a coordinated effort led by Audubon California Director of Policy Dan Taylor and the newly formed Chapter Political Action Network (CPAN) 30 chapters joined Audubon California in opposing offshore drilling for oil in California's waters. The network opposition will be used in signing letters and opposing legislation or executive orders that might open the door to drilling offshore.

Napa/Solano's Cheryl Harris honored by Red Cross

2009-10-01T13:57:00.000-07:00

American Red Cross of Napa County presented a Real Hero of Napa County Environment Award to Cheryl Harris, President of Napa/Solano Audubon in a ceremony on September 22, 2009 sponsored by the Napa Valley Register and Trinchero Family Estates vineyards. Harris was honored for her work restoring habitat at vineyards for birds, and for educating the community on the benefits of restoration, a program aided by a Toyota Together Green Innovation grant awarded to her chapter.

"Birds indicate the health of an environment. In the last 40 years, many bird populations have declined 70-90% as a result of loss of habitat. Harris is passionate about the need to do more to provide habitat for wildlife in Napa County," Red Cross said in honoring Harris.

4 California chapters win 2009 Toyota Innovation grants!

2009-08-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

San Diego, Los Angeles, Golden Gate and San Bernardino Valley Audubons were notified that they would be awarded Toyota Together Green Innovation grants totalling $ 124,632, or 33.8% of the total amount of grant awards to the 17 Audubon chapters in the U.S.

San Diego Audubon's winning project plans to connect communities with native habitat coridors for wildlife. Los Angeles Audubon will continue to restore Baldwin Hills Park using an education/intern program aimed at South Central high school students. Golden Gate Audubon will monitor shorebird populations in wetlands in the second year of a program engaging the diverse Bay Area community. San Bernardino Valley Audubon plans to restore wetlands at the Salton Sea to help Black Rail and other species of birds in partnership with the Torres-Martinez tribe.

Congratulations to these three Southern California and one Bay Area chapters!

Wintu Audubon is first chapter on wind project TAC

2009-08-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

Wintu Audubon Conservation Chair Claudia Lyons-Yerion announced that her chapter will be the first Audubon chapter in California to sit on the Technical Advisory Committee to review wildlife impacts on a wind project. Claudia reported on the efforts of her chapter to protect Sandhill Cranes and other species that might conflict with Hatchett Ridge Wind Development Project near Mt. Shasta. She also announced the demise of the TANC powerline project. Claudia's full report is available by email from ggeorge at audubon.org.

Mt. Diablo Audubon newsletter editor goes to bat once again for woodpeckers

2009-06-16T07:51:00.000-07:00

22 Acorn woodpeckers were shot under a depradation permit issued to the Rossmoor condominium community from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service before intervention from Mt. Diablo Audubon and Audubon California. Following the intervention, the depradation stopped and the permit lapsed. However, just before the permit lapsed, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services unexpectedly trapped over 20 woodpeckers to use in an experiment to determine the best way to discourage them. Mt. Diablo Audubon QUAIL newsletter editor Ellis Myers commented on the latest development in the ongoing Acorn woodpecker controversy at Rossmore in Walnut Creek in the Bay Area. His letter to the editor of CONTRA COSTA TIMES is here. More coverage is on Mt. Diablo Audubon's website here and in the July/August QUAIL which will be posted on that site.

Pasadena Audubon, Los Angeles Audubon, Audubon Center at Debs Park launch 3rd annual AUDUBON FILM FRIDAYS

2009-06-03T14:44:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles Audubon, Pasadena Audubon and Audubon Center at Debs Park are hosting our third annual FILM FRIDAYS at the Audubon Center at Debs Park. The free series in Spanish and English is shown on a wide screen outdoors under the stars for families and kids.

Friday, June 26th: Over the Hedge: A comedy about a group of animals taking back the neighborhood... One snack at a time. (Spanish with English Subtitles)

Friday, July 24th: Water and Watersheds explored through two shorts- Stream Spirit Rising and On the Arroyo Seco and the internationally acclaimed FLOW (English with Spanish Subtitles)

Friday, August 28th: The Education of Little Tree:- Little Tree is an 8-year-old Cherokee boy, who, learns the wisdom of the Cherokee way of life. (English with Spanish Subtitles)

Prior to the shows, we will have Birds Walks in the park starting at 6:45 p.m. and running to 7:45 p.m. Showtime is at 8 p.m. in the courtyard of the Audubon Center at Debs Park. Refreshments are provided by Trader Joe's!

Location: Audubon Center at Deb's Park 4700 North Griffin Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90031
For more information call: 323.221.2255

Bay Area Audubon Chapters (BAAC) united for Alameda Wildlife Refuge

2009-06-03T14:35:00.000-07:00

Bay Area chapters are advocating for USF&W Service to accept Alameda Wildlife Refuge from U.S. Navy because of Least Tern colony. Audubon California has also written a letter of comment supporting that position.

Friends of the Alameda Wildlife Refuge, a project initiated by Golden Gate Audubon Society, trains and maintains a corps of volunteers committed to protecting and enhancing the wildlife of the proposed Alameda National Wildlife Refuge.

In cooperation with the College of Alameda and Encinal High school, Friends of Alameda Wildlife Refuge has developed an environmental education program that involves training volunteers to act as docents for the refuge.

Good news for seabirds at Gualala!

2009-06-03T14:30:00.000-07:00

The Sea Ranch California Coastal National Monument Task Force won a national award given by the Bureau of Land Management in recognition of its monitoring efforts at Gualala Point Island. The Task Force was one of eight volunteer groups to be recognized this year. Madrone Audubon’s Diane Hichwa will be going to Washington, D.C. to receive the award.

Also, California Coastal Commission decision to consider fireworks “development” needing a permit was ratified by California State Appeals Court on Friday, April 17.

Central Sierra Audubon hosts Central Valley/Sierra Council meeting

2009-06-03T14:20:00.000-07:00

Highlights:

presentation of genetic study on 5 populations of Great Gray Owl that suggests the California population is isolated and distinct. (Josh Hull, UC Davis)
Funding availability for restoration of San JoaquinRiver. (Jordan Wellwood, Audubon California)
Important Bird Areas in the Central Valley/Sierra (Andrea Jones, Audubon California)
Building your chapter through grant funding

Big Day at Tejon Ranch

2009-05-06T07:39:00.000-07:00

Audubon California Executive Director Graham Chisholm snapped this photo of eleven California Condors roosting in an oak tree during a visit to Tejon Ranch. The visit was part of a two day effort during spring migration to document species of plants, birds and other animals on the ranch. Prior to the effort, Jim Hardesty of San Fernando Valley Audubon Society led Olga Clarke of Los Angeles Audubon and others on a private field trip on the ranch as part of the Southwest Bird club. To join the club, contact Jim by email here

Sacramento Audubon publishes bird guide

2009-04-16T11:47:00.000-07:00

Bird enthusiasts who live in the Sacramento area really have it good. Not only does their area feature one of the state's most spectacular array of birds and wildlife, but they also have a great local Audubon chapter. Sacramento Audubon Society recently made things even better by publishing a new, greatly expanded edition of "Birding in the Sacramento Region," a must-have guide for bird enthuasiasts.

The guide covers 77 sites, nearly twice as many as the previous edition, all described by experienced birders familiar with the birding spots. New Google maps allow more precise pinpointing of site locations, and the seperate section on where to find different species is much more detailed.

The nearly 200-page guide also includes information on where to find checklists and guides for other areas of Northern California, how to contact Audubon chapters and other conservation organizations in this part of the state, with addresses and websites, and a rundown on special events throughout the year.

It's ring-bound to withstand heavy use, with a sturdy plastic cover featuring portraits by Dan Brown of Nuttall's Woodpecker, California Thrasher, and Yellow-billed Magpie, all unique to this area.

The book can be purchased for $10 from Sacramento Audubon Society and at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center, and with a slight mark-up from Wild Birds & Gardens at Madison and Fair Oaks, Wildli Birds Unlimited at Loehman's Plaza, and The Naturalist in Davis.

Assembly report - Chapter Volunteer Awards

2009-03-25T13:25:00.001-07:00

At each Assembly, Audubon California gives the Chapter Volunteer Award for Outstanding Service to exceptional individuals who have made an outstanding contribution towards the Audubon mission. On Sunday at the Assembly, Audubon California gave the 2009 Chapter Volunteer Award for Outstanding Service to Steve Ferry of Santa Barbara Audubon, Nick Freeman of Los Angeles Audubon, Mike Prather of Eastern Sierra Audubon, Robin Winslow Smith of Sequoia Audubon, Tam Taafe of La Purisima Audubon, and Marilyn Waits of Redbud Audubon. The group is pictured above with Glenn Olson, Audubon California’s Executive Director.

Assembly report - Sierra Celebration

2009-03-25T13:12:00.000-07:00

Everything we do at Audubon began with a love of birds. That’s how our movement began more than a century ago. And yet, when one gets caught up in the activity of conservation, protecting, and fighting, and responding to need, it can be easy to forget the love that brought you to this in the first place. Tonight’s program at the Audubon California Assembly featured a celebration of the Sierra Nevada hosted by educator/naturalist John Muir Laws, author of Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada. What Jack Laws does better than most these days is share his enthusiasm for California’s great outdoors. And while his message tonight was all about our responsibility to steward our natural resources, he intertwined that with a call for us to connect at a personal level with nature. “What we have to do is a joyful act,” he said. While the Tresspassers played modern Sierra bluegrass music in front of projected photos by Galen Rowell, Rob Hirsch, Alison Sheehey, and a film by Larry Arbanas, Assembly attendees danced into the night. (photo by Alison Sheehey)

Assembly report - The Future of Conservation

2009-03-25T13:09:00.000-07:00

Six youth programs from around the state gave presentations that kicked off the Assembly with hope for the future of conservation. Los Angeles Audubon brought some Eco-Warriors from Dorsey High in South Central who relaxed on the Asilomar grounds after their presentation.

Assembly Report - Birding Monterey Bay

2009-03-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

Scott Huber of Altacal and the Board of Audubon California and his son Liam led a bird walk on Monday morning. Other field trips included birding at Carmel River, a pelagic in Monterey Bay led by Todd McGrath and Jon Feenstra, and trips to see Condor to Ventana.

Yolo Audubon holds Green Summit in November

2009-02-20T14:42:00.000-08:00

Yolo Audubon held a Green Sumitt with other environmental orgs in Woodland, California in the Central Valley on November 15th. Workshops included climate change, green jobs, and outreach to the Central Valley diverse community. Pictured here are Yolo Audubon President Alison Kent with other planners of the meeting.

LA Audubon conducts baseline survey at Baldwin Hills park

2009-02-20T14:27:00.000-08:00

On Valentines Day, 2009, students from Dorsey High School, members of the Los Angeles Audubon Society, and avid birders from the community helped to conduct the first baseline avian survey at the soon-to-be open Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook State Park, recording 18 species. This information will go to databases at both California State Parks and Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Great Backyard Bird Count Program. We got the one sunny day of a very rainy holiday weekend, and were lucky enough to take in the fantastic views of the Los Angeles Basin (mountains to ocean!) that this new state park offers visitors. In addition to surveying for birds, volunteers also initiated the collection of mammal tracks at this site - casts of tracks will be used to teach students about urban wildlife through Los Angeles Audubon’s outdoor education programs. Our greenhouse advisor was also on hand to help point out and identify native plants and ongoing habitat restoration projects in the park with students and birders. We topped off our hike and bird count with a pizza party at the Baldwin Hills Greenhouse, where students in the Baldwin Hills Greenhouse Internship and Restoration Leadership Programs discussed the projects they are currently working on at the greenhouse. The day’s three outstanding student volunteers were awarded Audubon bird plush toys for their excellent work. Many thanks to the students who hiked the muddy trail on Valentines Day, and many thanks to the Audubon birders who helped the students with species identification!

-From LA Audubon Director of Interpretive Stacey Vigallon-

2009-01-07T15:22:00.000-08:00

Rossmoor homeowners vow to go ahead with woodpecker shoot

December 18th, 2008 · The Contra Costa Times reports that two homeowners groups in Rossmoor have reaffirmed their intention to use a U.S. Fish & Wildlife permit to shoot Acorn Woodpeckers that are building granaries in several homes. Despite an ongoing effort from the Mt. Diablo Audubon Society to bring in experts and even pay for possible solutions, the shooting is expected to go ahead soon. This is despite comment from several experts that the shooting is unlikely to solve the problem, and might even make it worse.

“Killing the woodpeckers is a shortsighted and very short-term solution,” Eric Walters, an acorn woodpecker specialist at UC Berkeley’s Hastings nature reserve in Carmel Valley, wrote in an e-mail to the Times this week. “Unless they plan to wipe out the entire acorn woodpecker population, shooting birds is not going to do a darn thing to stop the damage to their retirement community.”

Napa/Solano Audubon and grape growers seek partnership to save endangered birds

2009-01-07T14:59:00.000-08:00

The Times-Herald, which serves Solano and Napa counties, reports today about a new partnership between the local Napa-Solano Audubon chapter and area grape growers to find ways to protect several Audubon Watchlist species, including the Loggerhead Shrike. The efforts will be funded by a new TogetherGreen grant. Proposed measures include teaching landowners and others how to plant hedge rows around ponds, remove invasive species and install nesting boxes and platforms for native birds.

“By reaching out to agricultural landowners, we’ll be making California a better place for native vegetation and threatened bird species,” said Napa Solano Audubon Society President Cheryl Harris. “This is a vital first step in caring for the environment.”

Conejo Valley Audubon birder dies on CBC in Crescent City

2008-12-16T16:26:00.000-08:00

Dr. Onik Arian, a longtime Ventura resident who worked for two decades in the emergency room at St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo until moving to Northern California about a year ago, died over the weekend after a wave swept him off a jetty, officials said Monday. Arian was 61.

Arian hit his head on the jetty's rocks in the Sunday morning accident in Crescent City and died of blunt-force trauma, the Del Norte County Sheriff's Department said.

Arian, an avid bird-watcher, was swept off the jetty while taking part in the Audubon Society's holiday season bird count in Crescent City, located in the northwest corner of the state about 20 miles south of the Oregon border. His body was recovered almost immediately, said Sheriff's Cmdr. Bill Steven.

The story was reported in the Ventura County Star. For more click here

Chapter Committee of Audubon California Board selects Outstanding Chapter Volunteers

2008-12-11T15:25:00.000-08:00

The following chapter leaders were nominated by their chapters and selected Outstanding Chapter Volunteer by the Chapter Committee of the Audubon California Board of Directors. The Chapter Committee is composed of the five regional chapter representatives elected by chapters in their region.

The Outstanding Chapter Volunteers will receive a free registration to the Audubon Assembly in Asilomar in Monterey Bay on March 15-17,2009, and will be acknowledged at that event. They will also be included in the Volunteer Hall of Fame on the Audubon California website.

Congratulations to these volunteers who do so much for Audubon chapters, birds and their habitat.

1. Tam Taafe, La Purisima Audubon

Tam continues to serve on the Board of Directors as Treasurer of the La Purisima chapter as she has for the last five years. During this period, she has been the main force for changing LPAS from a bird club to a chapter dedicated to local conservation issues. At a time when volunteerism is down, her full time dedication has kept LPAS from folding during this challenging transition. She has shown her enthusiasm and leadership in projects such as

the restoration of the Waterfowl Natural Resources Area, “the Ponds,” on Vandenberg AFB
the Beach Ecology Program, an educational outreach program
the restoration of the Santa Ynez River Estuary, an Audubon California Important Bird Area, through grants including an outreach grant in 2009 from Audubon to engage local citizens in a campaign at the Estuary that La Purisima calls PRIDE (Proud Residents Investing in a Diverse Estuary).
Advocacy with Santa Barbara Audubon and Los Angeles Audubon for two years on the Lompoc Wind Project to minimize the impacts on birds and bats.

La Purisima Audubon is now a dynamic and conspicuous force for north Santa Barbara Countyconservation thanks to Tam’s willingness to volunteer a full-time work schedule for the last several years towards that goal.

2. Mike Prather, Eastern Sierra Audubon

Mike is past President of Eastern Sierra Audubon and a leader in the conservation of birds and habitat in the Owens Valley. He led the process which resulted in the designation of Owens Lake as an Audubon California Important Bird Area, citing its importance as a breeding area for Snowy Plover and stopover for migrating shorebirds. He has documented more than 250 species within the Important Bird Area and organized the first Big Day at the Lake in 2008. It is Mike’s enthusiasm, constant good humor and devotion to the Eastern Sierra and its birds that is leading the effort to develop a long term conservation plan for the area. Mike travels far and wide throughout Californiaspeaking at Audubon chapters and other groups on behalf of Owens Lake and its birds. He has done all this using his own resources.

3. Nick Freeman, Los Angeles Audubon

Nick Freeman has been Fieldtrip Chairman and Fieldtrip Leader for Los Angeles Audubon Society for nearly 20 years. On top of organizing trips to such popular locations as the Sierra Nevada in California to southeast Arizona, he often leads or co-leads the trips himself infecting participants with his enthusiasm and knowledge of birds and and habitat and not to mention herps. His fieldtrips have been one of the most important factors that have kept LAAS a very active Audubon chapter by bringing in new members and raising funds to help support the Ralph Schreiber Grant Fund for non-professional researchers in ornithology. .He is currently the compiler of the Lancaster Christmas Bird Count and participates in the Malibu and Los Angeles Christmas Counts, the three CBC counts sponsored by the LA Audubon Society.

4. Marilyn Waits, Redbud Audubon

Redbud Audubon is a small rural chapter serving Lake County, an agricultural and tourism area north of the Napa Valley around the 100-mile shoreline of Clear Lake. Marilyn has served as chapter President for five years. During her term of office, she has developed new activities and programs that energized longtime members, attracted new members, drew in new volunteers, and created a strong financial base for future growth. She has raised Audubon’s public profile in Lake County and developed creative partnerships with local conservation and nature education groups. She strengthened a mutually-beneficial bond with Audubon California and helped reestablish the Northern California Regional Council as an active participant in statewide chapter communications.

Here are a few of Marilyn’s accomplishments:

Increased chapter assets by 703% in five years. Cash assets grew from $5,931 when she became President to $49,270 in June 2008.

Partnered in the annual Heron Festival and increased attendance by 333% from 300 to 1,300, with 37% coming from outside Lake County
Expanded festival volunteers by 462% from 35 to 197 and identified and recruited new chapter leadership from these volunteers.
Increased festival net profit by 712% from $890 to $7,224.
Obtained a total of $24,000 over three years for festival advertising and marketing support paid by the County of Lake Marketing Department.

Marilyn’s special passion in children’s nature education activities, and she started programs such as the “Fifty Species Challenge,” “Wild Things, Inc.”, “Raptor Speak” and the Jeanne Wall Fund for Children’s Nature Education where she raised over $ 50,000 and she partnered with the Children’s Museum of Art and Science for a day camp at Anderson Marsh State Park for 120 local schoolchildren.

5. Steve Ferry, Santa Barbara Audubon

Steve Ferry has been on the Board of Santa Barbara Audubon since 2003 and currently serves as Conservation Chair and Membership Chair. He was elected in 2006 by the Central Coast Chapter Council to sit on the Audubon California Board where he serves on the Chapter Committee and the Finance Committee. As Conservation Chair of Santa Barbara Audbuon, he is vigilant and tireless working with La Purisima Audubon and Los Angeles Audubon to minimize the impacts of the Lompoc Wind Project through two years of advocacy, and working with Assembly member Pedro Nava (D-SB) and Audubon California to ban lead ammunition in Condor Country. You’ll see Steve on the ground as a volunteer as Condor nest-watcher for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge, or at Coal Oil Point as a Snowy Plover docent educating the beach-going public about sharing the beach with these wonderful birds.

6. Robin Winslow Smith, Sequoia Audubon

Robin Smith has been active in the Sequoia chapter of Audubon on San Francisco Bay for over 20 years as President, Conservation Chair, Education Chair, field trip leader and Annual Bird Count complier. Some of her victories include leading the fight to save Blair Island and opposing high rise buildings along the Bay in Redwood City. She was an active member of the Committee to SaveBayfront Park election in 2006. Currently Robin is active in the Redwood City measure to protect the wetlands along the edge of the Bay that Cargill Salt wants to develop. Robin travels widely, always birding. Her chapter says it is the enthusiasm that underlies all she does that draws people to the Chapter.

2009 Collaborative Funding grants announced

2008-11-25T13:07:00.000-08:00

9 Chapters in California will receive collaborative funding grants totalling over $26,000 from Audubon California for outreach, education, advocacy and habitat restoration projects. The grant recipients and their projects are:

Altacal Audubon - Bird Banding and Conservation program for children
Central Sierra - trail development and wildlife inventory on Groveland Community Services District
La Purisima - PRIDE (proud residents investing in a diverse estuary) at the estuary of the Santa Ynez River
Palos Verdes/South Bay - Volunteer Coordinator for AUDUBON YES! (Youth Environmental Service program)
Peregrine - transportation for youth to Redwood Valley Outdoor Education Program
Redbud - developing a Redbud Audubon membership brochure
Sacramento - Audubon at Home Big Five workshops
Sea & Sage - 4th Tuesday Conservation Lecture Series
Yolo - 2008 Green Summit

Congratulations!

San Diego Audubon announces BIRD FESTIVAL

2008-11-11T14:07:00.001-08:00

San Diego Audubon will host the 2009 SAN DIEGO BIRD FESTIVAL March 5 through 8, 2009 at the Marina Village Conference Center in Mission Bay. The chapter has added many new events and ris repeating the most popular events from previous years. David Sibley (right), author and illustrator of the Sibley Guide published by National Audubon is the keynote speaker and will lead a field trip or two! For details go here

Audubon article published on Cattlemen's website

2008-11-10T16:10:00.000-08:00

Sierra Foothills Conservation Chair Ed Pandolfini recently wrote an article on California's grasslands, grazing and the importance of ranching practices to our species of birds, emphasizing the common ground, literally, between Audubon and ranchers. The article was published on the Cattleman's Association website. To read it, click here

San Bernardino Valley Audubon wins appeal!

2008-10-28T17:12:00.000-07:00

A California state appeals court on Monday, October 26, 2008 upheld a lower court's ruling that San Bernardino County disregarded part of its general plan when it approved a Lake Arrowhead housing development without first requiring completion of an evacuation route. The California Fourth District Court of Appeal also went further than a lower court, ruling that a water supply was not properly identified for the proposed 57-home development south of Cumberland and Blue Ridge drives and that the environmental impact on the Southern Rubber Boa, a threatened species of snake found on the project site, was not properly evaluated.

The original suit was filed in San Bernardino Superior Court in December 2005 by the San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society, the Save Our Forest Association, Sierra Club and Center for Biological Diversity, against Hawarden Development and the county.

"We're very happy with the decision," said the local Audubon Society chapter President Drew Feldmann. "We went after this particular case because it was one of the first (development projects) after the big fire of 2003."The subdivision project, known as Blue Ridge Estates, was planned for a steep slope near Cedar Glen; an area hit hard by 2003's Old Fire.

Three California chapters win TOYOTA Innovation grants!

2008-10-28T16:51:00.001-07:00

Golden Gate Audubon, Mendocino Coast Audubon and Napa/Solano Audubon will receive over $93,000 for projects on wetlands, shorebirds, and vineyards in Toyota Innovation grants announced October 21, 2008. The grants are part of a four or five year partnership between Audubon and Toyota called Together Green that will distribute $20 million to Audubon chapters, centers, and sanctuaries to engage non-Audubon partners and diverse audiences in volunteer and conservation efforts.
Golden Gate Audubon's project WETLANDS AND WILDLANDS will focus on the Bay Area, Mendocino Coast's program SAVE OUR SHOREBIRDS will focus on Snowy Plover and other shorebirds on the Northern California coast, and Napa/Solano will partner with local vineyards to restore and create new habitat for birds on their agricultural lands.
The next round of Toyota grants including Fellows grants, Volunteer Days grants, and Innovation grants will be announced in January by Audubon. For a description of recent volunteer and grant projects throughout the U.S. go here

Santa Barbara County approves wind farm with protections for birds

2008-10-02T11:52:00.000-07:00

From Santa Barbara Audubon Conservation Chair Steve Ferry:

"On September 30 the Santa Barbara Planning Commission approved the Lompoc Wind Energy Project (LWEP). The project includes 65 wind turbine generators (WTGs) producing about 1.5 MW each on 3000 acres of private grazing land about 5 miles south of Lompoc.

This milestone is the culmination of approximately two years of effort by Santa Barbara’s Environmental Defense Center (EDC), Santa Barbara Audubon Society (SBAS), La Purisima Audubon Society (LPAS), and Los Angeles Audubon Society (LAAS). EDC and the three Audubon chapters made extensive comments on the Draft and Final Environmental Impact Reports and had numerous meetings with the County, the applicant, and their consultants. As a result of those efforts, the Biological Resources section of the DEIR was completely re-written and significant protections to the environment were added.

Just in the last week the County staff, at the urging of EDC and the Audubon chapters, inserted a requirement that parts of the project could be shut down if there were excessive bird mortalities. This provision was a major goal of the environmental groups. During the Planning Commission meeting EDC and Audubon advocated for strengthening of the shutdown provision, a longer period of bird mortality monitoring, offsite land easements, and additional protection for burrowing owls. Our positions were supported by the Sierra Club, the Santa Barbara Community Action Network, and in part by the Community Environmental Council. In the end, the Commission voted to extend the mortality monitoring and strengthen the shutdown provision.

The approval of LWEP is a significant environmental achievement. The project will produce enough clean energy to power about 50,000 homes. The reduction of greenhouse gasses as a result of this project, if replicated across the country, will reduce global warming - a major threat to the survival of birds. And the protections added to the project as a result of the efforts of EDC, SBAS, LPAS, and LAAS ensure that the environmental impacts of LWEP will be minimized.

Special thanks for a long, sustained, and effective effort to those who worked on this project: Karen Kraus and Brian Trautwein of EDC, Steve Ferry of SBAS, Tam Taaffe and Paul Keller of LPAS, Garry George of LAAS, and Mark Holmgren. Thanks also to Kris Burnell, former SBAS Science Chair, for her contributions."

Over 100 volunteers join Los Angeles Audubon for Toyota Together Green Volunteer Day event

2008-09-26T10:11:00.000-07:00

Volunteers from Dorsey High School in South Central, Los Angeles Audubon, and Toyota joined forces on Saturday, September 20 to remove invasive non-native vegetation from the endangered Least Tern protected breeding colony on Venice Beach in Los Angeles in an Audubon California IBA. The terns are wintering in Central or South America, but will return to the colony in March or April to breed and raise their young. Removal of the invasive non-native plants allows more productive breeding areas for the birds. The effort was the first funded by a Volunteer Days grant from a Toyota/Audubon partnership that will deliver $20 million dollars to Audubon chapters, centers, sanctuaries and state office programs over the next four or five years. For more on Least Tern project go here. For more on Toyota Together Green grants go here.

Collaborative Funding Report: San Diego Audubon

2008-08-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

San Diego Audubon used their 2008 Collaborative Funding grant to create a brochure and signage for Anstine-Audubon Nature. The 11 acre property was bequeathed to the San Diego Audubon Society by John Anstine in 1999 to fulfill a promise he had made to his wife that the property would not be subdivided or developed. For more on the Nature Preserve go here

Morro Coast Audubon acquires 8 acre bay front addition to Sweet Springs Nature Preserve

2008-08-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

The charming East Sweet Springs property includes 400 feet of Morro Bay’s southern shoreline including critically important coastal wetlands, marsh, mudflats, and upland coastal scrub.

“We are thrilled to expand the Nature Preserve to include this important shoreline property. We look forward to expanding our restoration efforts and trails on this new property and opening the site up for public enjoyment and education,” says Jan Surbey, president of the Morro Coast Audubon Society.

In 1995, the Morro Bay Estuary was included in the National Estuary Program (NEP) due to its water quality issues and critical importance for migratory birds on the Pacific Flyway. A community and multi-agency effort known as the Morro Estuary Greenbelt Alliance (MEGA) emerged shortly thereafter to protect the multiple endemic special status species, the remaining undeveloped lands on the shoreline, and important habitat lands and trails between Montana de Oro State Park and Morro Bay State Park. Audubon California includes Sweet Springs in the Morro Bay Important Bird Area identified in 2004.

“Every year, Morro Bay ranks among the Audubon Society’s Top Ten Birding Areas in the nation. This acquisition will greatly expand birding opportunities for everyone,” says Henry Pontarelli, Strategic Development Chair of MCAS.

A special community event to celebrate the new addition to the Preserve will be held on Sunday, September 21, 2008, at 2pm. The event is open to the public and will include a brief ceremony about the project and land, docent-led tours, fun activities for kids, food and drinks Everyone is welcome.

Funding for the acquisition was generously provided by the Wildlife Conservation Board, State Coastal Conservancy, the USFWS National Coastal Wetlands Program, and the USFWS Section VI – Recovery Land Acquisition Program, with support from Senators Feinstein and Boxer for the federal monies.

Audubon California supports delisting of Peregrine Falcon

2008-08-27T13:55:00.001-07:00

Dan Taylor, Director of Policy and Gary Langham, Director of Bird Conservation, made the following announcement:

"Following the filing of a petition to delist the Falcon, Audubon California in June of 2008 convened a forum of Peregrine Falcon experts to discuss the issue. Based on this forum, coupled with our own independent analysis, a strong scientific case exists for the delisting of this subspecies. Audubon supports the delisting, provided that subsequent follow-up activities are built into the decision to ensure that population monitoring remains a part of the ongoing peregrine management effort.
We will continue to pressure state and federal agencies to monitor the progress of the Peregrine Falcon to ensure that the bird’s progress continues."

More info here

Yosemite Audubon Board members scales Mt. Whitney

2008-08-27T13:40:00.000-07:00

Update: After surviving the fires in Mariposa, Yosemite Audubon Field Trip Chair Lowell Young scaled Mt. Whitney at the age of 73. To his dismay, his granddaughter arrived at the summit before him.

Yosemite Audubon leaders survive Mariposa fire

2008-07-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

Lowell & Sue Young of Yosemite Audubon report that none of the chapter leaders' homes have been damaged in the Telegraph Fire which has destroyed 32,000+ acres and 21 residences. The fire is 20% contained.

Lowell and Sue recommend that you go here to keep up to date on the fire in Mariposa near Yosemite.

Check out this Firefighter's blog here

More bad news for raptors and chapters at Altamont wind farms

2008-07-27T10:24:00.000-07:00

The mortality rate of raptors including Golden Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel and Burrowing Owl increased 27 percent over two years in an ongoing monitoring study, according to an executive summary of the data issued by Alameda County's Scientific Review Committee. The five member panel advises the county on progress being made to mitigate bird deaths in the Altamont Pass windmill area as part of a settlement with Golden Gate Audubon, Ohlone Audubon, Marin Audubon, Mt. Diablo Audubon and Santa Clara Valley Audubon and others. The settlement included a commitment to reduce raptor mortality by 50% by 2009.

The new data estimate a total of 2,236 birds from the four targeted species were killed annually.

For details, quotes from Golden Gate's Executive Director Elizabeth Murdock in Oakland Tribune story of July 23, 2008 and executive summary of the study, click here.

San Fernando Valley & Los Angeles Audubons celebrate CALTRANS victory

2008-07-22T19:29:00.001-07:00

Chapters in SoCal celebrated CALTRANS selection today of Alternate 1 for a project to improve the southbound San Diego Freeway (I-405) connector to the Ventura Freeway (U.S. 101). A Negative Declaration (ND) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) have been approved. Activists including Muriel Kotin, Seth Shteir, Kris Ohlenkamp and Garry George from the chapters wrote comments and appeared publicly to defeat the other alternatives.

The project will involve a new, upgraded 50 mph two-lane connector that would replace the existing 20 mph single-lane connector, and require right-of-way from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers near the Sepulveda Dam but avoids direct impacts and encroachment on Sepulveda Wildlife Area, a 225 acre reserve that includes some of the best riparian habitat on the LA RIVER, a wildlife lake and extensive plantings of native annuals, shrubs, and trees.

Taking inventory on Owens Lakebed, Sat Aug 23

2008-07-22T16:00:00.000-07:00

Saturday, August 23rd beginning 6 am Eastern Sierra Audubon is taking inventory of birds on the Owens Lake bed. This survey should take roughly half a day by beginning at 6:00AM. The areas to be covered will be the dust control ponded areas that will be shrinking and exposing lots of feeding habitat. The natural sites (seeps, springs and artesian wells) around the shoreline of the lake will not be covered because of their diminished size at this time of year. Eastern Sierra Audubon will need five teams of 3-5 counters to do the census. If you would like to be part of this first ever Fall survey contact Mike Prather by email (click here) or by phone (h)760.876.5807 (cell) 760.715.0692

AUDUBON AT HOME falls forward at chapters

2008-07-21T12:39:00.001-07:00

Fall is the best time to plant native plants so that the rains (hopefully) can help them get established. Chapters throughout the state are hosting workshops and giving advice to kill lawns and convert useless dead zones to living, thriving habitat revegetations. "The health of an ecosystem is measured by it's biodiversity."-E.O Wilson.

San Diego Audubon former President Mel Hinton, who created a brochure and power point that chapters in SoCAL can use (click here), did a 1/2 hour internet radio interview on birds and gardening for wildlife on July 10, 2008. It's available on line at http://www.internetvoicesradio.com/. Click on Archives, then Dr Charlotte Thompson and it is listed as "Gardening for Birds and Butterflies."

Sacramento Audubon and the Sacramento Valley Chapter of the Native Plant Society are partnered with UC Davis Arboretum to make the San Diego Audubon's version of Audubon at Home Birds and Butterflies power point presentation compatible with Valley habitat and critters ,of course, we added a section on native bees and other insects as well. Presentations in August and September in various locations. Details here

Los Angeles Audubon is planing to release a comic book to promote Audubon at Home called KILL YOUR LAWN.

Rolling out a blog...

2008-07-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

Can a blog replace an email newsletter to Audubon California chapters?

I sure think so, so I'm rolling out this blog in order to bring fast, direct information and news to you with links, photos, documents, and videos

It's a modern age of communication so let's use it. The 2001 Ad Hoc Chapter Committee of National Audubon identified "communication" as the number one issue between Audubon and chapters. My hope is that this blog will help close that gap.

Not every chapter in the Audubon network has the time or energy to accomplish goals outside of basic monthly meetings, filling the Board, taking folks on field trips to connect them to nature, but if you do want to increase your capacity that is one of the stated goals of my new position as Chapter Network Director. I'm creating a network of chapters to chapters, Audubon California to chapters, and chapters to Audubon California.

Here's how!

There's a new chapter site with

Chapter contact info
Chapter BLOG!
Chapter Grant Opportunities
Chapter Resources section with info on Assembly, Council Meetings, Audubon California Board meeting minutes and Committee reports, Audubon at Home, Newsletter Assets for Newsletter Editors and a link to NAS Chapter Services

COMING SOON! More resources including Speakers Bureau for Program Chairs

Click here to go to the site

What else do you need? Send me an email and let me know

California chapters continue to grow...
Audubon recently released a spreadsheet of data compiled from Chapter annual reports for year ending June 30, 2007.

Number of California chapters: 50
Number reporting: 45
Total Gross receipts: $ 3,335,025.32
Total Gross expenses: $ 2,812,619.37
Fund balances: $ 5,993,540.94
Safety net income from Audubon: $ 128,939.53
Collaborative Funding income from Audubon $ 21,613.00*
Chapter members in California: 9,788
Audubon members in California 39,000 apprx.
Total Volunteers at California chapters: 4,925
Total Volunteer hours: 89,087

*not included are Packard shorebird grants to coastal chapters administered by Audubon California

Some pretty impressive statistics here on capacity of chapters ($ 6,000,000 in fund balances! Over $ 3,000,000 in income with around $150,000 from Audubon! That means chapters generated over $ 2,850,000 in income from donations, membership and grants! Chapters also gave 90,000 volunteer hours which translates to $ 1,800,000 in kind donation of volunteer hours if you value at $20/hr). I expect the numbers to go up for year ending June 20, 2008. I know Los Angeles Audubon's numbers did.

Now for the chapter news:

May 1, 2008: 5 chapters of Audubon tour Tejon Ranch

Prior to the signing of the agreement between Audubon California and other resource groups. Kern, Kerncrest, Los Angeles, Pasadena and San Fernando Valley Audubon leaders were thrilled at the ten species of oaks on the property and great views of Golden Eagles, but saddened at the thought that any of it would be developed, especially the Antelope Valley joshua tree and poppy (in full bloom!) habitat in Los Angeles County. All couldn't wait to spend more time poking around in the valleys and corners of this habitat looking for birds, with some discussion of a quest for the Mt. Pinos subspecies of Sooty Grouse which hasn't been seen in decades.

June 19, 2008: San Bernardino Valley Audubon leads the way in local policy changes to combat global warming.

Environment Now gave an award this month to SBVA and Center for Biological Diversity for their litigation against the County of San Bernardino for not addressing the impacts of global warming in their latest plan. The County settled when the State of California Attorney General came in on the side of the local Audubon chapter.

President Drew Feldmann, a jedi in the war against the evil empire, wrote an op-ed printed in the Press Enterprise in response to cries for drilling in Alaska and off California's coast:

June 20, 2008 LA and Pasadena Audubons launch AUDUBON FILM FRIDAYS

Los Angeles Audubon and Pasadena Audubon joined forces with Audubon Center at Debs Park to present AUDUBON FILM FRIDAYS, a series of free nature films outdoors under the stars in East Los Angeles. First film was "Arctic Tale" in Spanish with English subtitles, delivering the message of polar bear, now an endangered species, and global warming. On July 11, students from South Los Angeles' Dorsey High School showed their 3 min film (click here for YouTube broadcast) in Spanish and English on sharing LA County beachs with threatened Western Snowy Plovers, followed by an IMAX film "Ocean's Oasis" on Baja, California, under and above the Gulf of California. Trader Joe's provides free snacks and drinks. Free, outdoor film screenings are a great way to spread the Audubon message to new audiences, especially when accompanied by a bird walk before the screening. Local NPR station KPCC covered the outreach campaign and event and broadcast to 400,000 Angelenos just before the bird walk. Listen

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