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Old Baldy, Canada | photo by Cameron Schaus
Conservation Issues of the Ventana Chapter | chapter wide
New report shows birds in decline
June 2009

A new report released by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar shows that nearly a third of the nation’s 800 bird species are in trouble due to habitat loss, invasive species, and other threats. The report, The U.S. State of the Birds, synthesizes data from three long-running bird censuses conducted by thousands of citizen scientists and professional biologists.

Green Jobs
Wetlands management and restoration have contributed to thriving populations of American White Pelican. Photo by Erica Crawford

Birds in trouble include not only the California Condor and the Marbled Murrelet, but other local favorites such as the Snowy Plover, Solitary Sandpiper, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, and Pine Siskin. At the same time, the report highlights examples, including many species of waterfowl, where habitat restoration and conservation have reversed previous declines, offering hope that it is not too late to take action to save declining populations.

“Just as they were when Rachel Carson published Silent Spring nearly 50 years ago, birds today are a bellwether of the health of land, water, and ecosystems,” Salazar said. “From shorebirds in New England to warblers in Michigan, we are seeing disturbing downward population trends that should set off environmental alarm bells. We must work together now to ensure we never hear the deafening silence in our forests, fields, and backyards that Rachel Carson warned us about.”

The report calls attention to the crisis in Hawaii, where more birds are in danger of extinction than anywhere else in the United States. In addition, the report indicates a 40% decline in grassland birds over the past 40 years, a 30% decline in birds of aridlands, and high concern for many coastal shorebirds. Furthermore, 39% of species dependent on oceans have declined.

However, the report also reveals convincing evidence that birds can respond positively to conservation action. The data show dramatic increases in many wetland birds such as pelicans, herons, egrets, osprey, and ducks, a testament to numerous cooperative conservation partnerships that have resulted in protection, enhancement, and management of more than 30 million wetland acres.

Surveys conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Survey, combined with data gathered through volunteer citizen science programs such as the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count, show once abundant birds such as the marbled murrelet are declining significantly. The possibility of extinction remains a cold reality for many endangered birds.

Birds are beautiful, as well as economically important and a priceless part of America’s natural heritage. Birds are also highly sensitive to environmental pollution and climate change, making them critical indicators of the health of the environment on which we all depend.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service coordinated creation of the new report as part of the U.S. North American Bird Conservation Initiative, which includes partners from American Bird Conservancy, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Klamath Bird Observatory, National Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, and the U.S. Geological Survey.

To view the full report with its beautiful photos visit www.stateofthebirds.org.



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In This Section

Current
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October 2011

WTO rules dolphin-safe tuna a trade violation
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Watershed Dippers
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Resilient Habitats Campaign will address effects of sea level rise
April 2011

Enviros defeat Bohemian Grove logging plan
April 2011

Sierra Club works to phase out coal
April 2011

Protect CEQA and Environmental Laws in the State Budget Process
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FDA ponders genetically engineered salmon
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State of the air
December 2010

Antibacterial soap affects fish reproductive behavior
December 2010

State bill would ban single-use plastic bags
August 2010

Atrazine affects fish reproduction
August 2010

New law will protect Americans from formaldehyde
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Opt out of unwanted phone books
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You might not be planning for climate change, but the State is
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Club report explores ending oil dependence
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American pika
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Will Commercial Whaling Resume?
May 2010

Our national parks: a vision for the second century
February 2010

Former Yosemite Supervisors call for restoring Hetch Hetchy
December 2009

Assembly resolution puts pressure on Feds to enforce Marine Mammal Act
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Report proposes sustainable water solutions for California
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Free online course on Clean Water Act
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Only 11 states have bottle laws
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UCSC makes list of “Coolest” Schools
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Farr seeks upgrade of Pinnacles to National Park
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Fishing rods donated to youth programs
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State releases climate change adaptation plan
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State still considering new logging rules
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Old Growth Redwoods
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Protected land database now available
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How much would you save by ditching your gas guzzler?
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NOAA website provides resources for coastal cities dealing with climate change
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Stimulus funds to benefit national forests
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New report shows birds in decline
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700,000 acres of new wilderness designated in California
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Researchers map West Coast ocean threats
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Sierra Club successfully challenges Stockton’s General Plan Update
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Say NO to bottled water
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Local residents propose environmental laws
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Traffic pollution linked to new cases of asthma
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County Supervisors support net metering
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Labor and enviros join forces
April 2009

Restore Hetch Hetchy moves HQ to San Francisco
April 2009

Carl Pope to step down
January 2009

Border wall harming wildlife
January 2009

Learning bird behavior turns kids into scientists
January 2009

Air Board warns consumers about air purifiers
January 2009

Green Streets improve water quality
January 2009

State body proposes plastic bag fees
January 2009

Clean coal is a myth
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Cutting their carbon footprints
January 2009

Carl Pope to step down as Executive Director of Sierra Club
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Legislation needed to increase amount of renewable energy
December 2008

Recycling alone is not the answer
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Patented seeds violate farmer's rights
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Sierra Club organizer mobilizing volunteers against clearcutting
October 2008

PG&E invests in gas, nuclear and hot air
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Help prepare Sierra Club huts for winter
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Air Board develops draft plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
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Eating for a Healthy Planet
May 2008


Global Warming rekindles nuclear power debate
May 2008


Volunteers needed for LeConte Lodge
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Action Alert!
Tell the Governor to support Zero Emission Vehicles
March 2008


A gift for the Corrizo Plain pronghorn
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SB 375 would link land use planning and transportation
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Governor proposes closing state parks & cutting lifeguards
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Track green-ness of your electricity
December 2007


UC named 4th in Sierra's list of cool schools
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Cutting back on meat can help global warming
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Disappearing polar bear habitat
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International trade
August 2007


Green wedding
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New roles for our National Parks
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How we reduced our carbon footprint
April 2007


Joyce Stevens turns 80!
February 2007


Sierra Club launches weekly radio show
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Co-op America's 12-Step Plan for Climate Action
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A visit with the great California condors
June 2006


Bush administration abandons long-standing protections for critical wildlife habitat on Alaska’s North Slope

Chapter opposes water management scheme for Seaside Aquifer

Chapter and Group events to highlight marine sanctuary

End of an era: Ventana Chapter Bookstore closes

California has opportunities to reduce mercury poisoning

A biting issue

Sanctuary Draft Management Plan due out this summer

Nature Conservancy acquires gateway to Pinnacles National Monument

Elkhorn Slough threatened by subdivisions

Open space preserved on San Mateo County Coast

Greased lightning - Peregrine falcons in California

It’s time to restore Hetch Hetchy

Appeal to deny subdivision near Elkhorn Slough successful

Chapter revises Los Padres National Forest map

Forest geneticists visit Point Lobos

Methyl bromide poisoning devastates farm workers’ health

Resurrect those old Sierra Club cups?

Transit - highway rules unfair

California's oak woodlands need your help!