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Urban
Sanctuaries Campaign
Least Tern Project info
2013 Nesting Season
Snowy Plover Survey
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Urban
Sanctuaries Campaign |
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| In response to an
alarmingly increased number of events related to the destruction
of active bird nests, in spring 2006, the conservation committee
and chapter leaders are launching the Urban Sanctuaries Campaign.
This program, which we anticipate will involve the entire chapter,
will address the protection of birds and their nests, all over
the county, particularly in urbanized areas, through a largely
proactive campaign designed to educate and build partnerships.
The events, mostly tree trimming related, were among the most
atrocious and needless assaults on nesting birds imaginable.
In a highly developed environment like the one we share with
birds in southern California, we have to assume more responsibilities
as Audubon members to protect urban wildlife. |
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| Over the summer,
the Sea and Sage Board organized meetings to discuss solutions
and plan our campaign. First, the campaign will focus on education
about nesting birds and the State and Federal laws that protect
them. We will build partnerships with landowners and land managers,
such as in city and county parks, to help them practice bird
friendly property maintenance operations. |
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| In fact we are very
pleased to announce that Orange County Harbors, Beaches and
Parks enthusiastically agreed to extend a long standing management/
maintenance program in county parks that prohibits tree trimming
during nesting season (except in the case of emergency or public
safety). We are confident that we can convince others to follow
their excellent example. We are currently developing educational
materials, including new brochures, about nesting birds and
wildlife protection in order to reach out to the public and
leaders. |
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| If all else fails,
we will be ready to help the agencies vested with the responsibilities
and laws that protect birds, such as the CA Department of Fish
and Game and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. These agencies
can enforce both California Fish and Game Codes and the International
Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which protect all native North American
birds, and their eggs. Most importantly for all our members,
we want everyone’s participation in the Urban Sanctuaries
Campaign. In the coming months we will provide more information
on nesting birds and include more detailed information on the
laws that protect birds. We will notify everyone about some
future campaign meetings. We need everyone’s help on this
one, it’s bigger than the conservation committee and the
board, so please stay tuned and involved. |
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| By the way, almost
simultaneously and unbeknownst to us, LA Audubon launched a
similar program, the Urban Wildlife Task Force, a coalition
effort which will include Sea and Sage Audubon. This program
was started in part as a reaction to an event in the Los Angeles
Harbor, coined “Terngate”. Hundreds of elegant and
Caspian tern nests, and chicks, were washed off several barges
with a fire hose last spring, a truly mind boggling event. |
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