In the March-April issue, you will find a range of voices answering the question 鈥淲hy do birds matter?鈥 For me, it is very simple. Birds are a great way to understand ecosystems. If you want to hear nature鈥檚 voice, all you have to do is follow the birds.
In my travels across the 探花精选 network, I have met a wide variety of birders. What they have in common is that they are all great conservationists. I see that with our Chapters, at our Centers, in our state offices, and across all four flyways. 探花精选 staff and members share a passion for conservation.
What it comes down to is this: Birds are good at taking care of themselves, but only we can take care of where they live. That is what has driven us to fight for some of our biggest conservation victories, including the passage of the RESTORE Act, which ensures that BP鈥檚 penalties will be largely turned into funding to rebuild the Gulf Coast; our victory in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, which protects 11 million acres in America鈥檚 Arctic; and our leadership role in wind-siting efforts that balance conservation and America鈥檚 energy needs.
If you believe, as I do, that only humans can protect habitat, then you have to ask yourself, 鈥淲hat can I do about it?鈥 All across 探花精选 people are engaging with our ever-growing network and creating a force for real and lasting change at the local, state, and national levels.
In Dayton, Ohio, with the help of , the created a 37-acre urban prairie on a former brownfield and restored creek habitat, planting 10,700 native wildflowers and grasses grown from seeds collected and germinated by students at a nearby university, providing a green oasis for nesting and migratory birds.
and the state鈥檚 Chapters partnered with our D.C. office to apply pressure to New Mexico decision makers that resulted in the state changing how it evaluated the Gila River鈥攁nd temporarily averted construction of a dam or diversion that would destroy riparian forest that鈥檚 home to one of the highest concentrations of breeding birds in America, including and common black-hawks.
And was instrumental in the approval of sweeping new protections for the state鈥檚 marine areas, from the Oregon border to Point Arena. An area of 137 square miles with five special closures around key seabird colonies will safeguard important breeding spots and food sources for 40 percent of California鈥檚 seabirds.
Change is possible. But we have to be there for the birds.