EVERGREEN CITIES LEGISLATIVE CAMPAIGN
By Lisa Paribello, Audubon Washington
It is time to stop losing the trees and forests in our cities. Keeping existing trees and planting new ones enhances quality of life, increases property values and gives us cleaner water and habitat for birds and wildlife. In January, Auduboners across the state will spearhead the Evergreen Cities legislative campaign, one of the four top environmental priorities for 2008!
Some of our cities have innovative programs to retain, plant and maintain trees, but there is much room for improvement because only:
* 47% of our communities have tree ordinances
* 20% of our communities do routine tree care
* 12% of our communities have management plans, and
* 10% of our communities have up-to-date tree inventories
In 20 years, 70% of some cities public forest lands will be dead or dying due to poor maintenance, and thousands of community forest acres will be removed for new development. Washington's population is expected to increase by 2.3 million by 2030. We need action today to support tree planning and management for cities to ensure the Evergreen State is full of Evergreen Cities.
Scientific studies show that trees in cities provide many benefits, including reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, improved storm water management, 20% increase in property values, 12% increase in consumer spending, lower crime rates, and of course enhanced bird and wildlife habitat areas.
This legislation will provide funding and encourage partnerships to help local governments update ordinances and management plans to grow healthy trees and urban forests. The bill will establish statewide performance standards for tree retention and forest canopy goals, guaranteeing benefit from healthy trees in our communities.
To get involved contact Lisa Paribello at 360-786-8020 ext. 201 or lparibello@audubon.org, visit http://wa.audubon.org/ , or sign-up for Audubon's biweekly updates and action alerts at: www.audubonaction.org/washington .
DISAPPEARING COMMON BIRDS SEND ENVIRONMENTAL WAKE-UP CALL
Audubon Analyses Reveals Dramatic Declines for Some of Washington's Most Familiar Birds
Population declines for some of the most common and beloved birds in Washington State echo the disturbing findings from the National Audubon Society. A new scientific analysis reveals how local and national threats are combining to take a toll on birds, habitat and their habitats across the country.
“These are not rare or exotic birds we're talking about—these are the birds that visit our feeders and come to our nearby lakes and seashores and yet they are disappearing day by day,” said Audubon Chairperson and former EPA Administrator, Carol Browner. “Their decline tells us we have serious work to do, from protecting local habitats to addressing the huge threats from global warming.”
The national study, based on Christmas bird counts and breeding bird censuses, found that populations of some common birds plunged over the past 40 years, with several down nearly 80 percent. In Washington State, the five common birds in steepest decline are:
Evening Grosbeak (down 97%)
Bonaparte's Gull (down 97%)
Purple Finch (down 87%)
Yellow-headed Blackbird (down 72%)
Western Meadowlark (down 60%)
Many Washington residents know these five birds from their backyard bird feeders or they see them while watching wildlife throughout our state.
The dramatic national declines are attributed to a variety of factors, including the loss of shrub steppe, grasslands, mature forests and wetlands, and other critical habitats from multiple environmental threats such as sprawl, energy development, intense management for single resources, and the spread of clean farming techniques. The national study notes that these threats are now compounded by new problems including the escalating effects of global warming and demand for corn-based ethanol.
Audubon's new State of the Birds Report is important because we have focused our attention on endangered species and failed to notice serious declines in populations of our common birds,” said Gordon Orians, Professor Emeritus of Biology at University of Washington.
“Here in Washington, the biggest problem comes from cutting up our landscapes into smaller and smaller disconnected pieces. We should keep our landscapes intact and connected for future generations of farmers and foresters. Doing so will keep our common birds in good shape too”, said Nina Carter, Executive Director, Audubon Washington.
For more information, visit the Audubon Washing site at:
http://wa.audubon.org/science_SOTBReport_WAState.html
Restore and Protect: ACOW's Conference Theme
By Sue Chickman
Tide pools, shorelines, bays, the outer coast, wildlife refuges, old growth forests, wild and scenic rivers, glaciers, wildflower meadows, and many of the areas in between: what do these diverse habitats have in common? It is our need to protect and restore these ecosystems—for future generations to enjoy and appreciate, and for the sustainability of our planet.
That is why the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society (OPAS) has selected “Restoration and Protection of Washington's Natural Areas” as the theme for the upcoming Audubon Council of Washington's (ACOW) semi-annual conference. This three-day event will be held at the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribal Center in Blyn on October 19, 20, and 21. More than 100 leaders from the 26 Audubon chapters in our state, along with National Audubon's Washington State office staff, will share what's being protected and restored in their region. And global warming is, of course, very high on Audubon's agenda, both nationally and locally.
During the conference, participants will have the chance to visit one of three special places: the restored Jimmycomelately Estuary; the Dungeness River engineered logjam installation; or the future Elwha River double-dam removal project.
William D. RuckelshausNationally renowned William D. Ruckelshaus, appointed by Governor Gregoire as chairman of the Puget Sound Partnership's Leadership Council, will speak at the conference's Saturday night salmon BBQ banquet. Washington State's Cleaning Up Puget Sound effort will go a long way toward “Restoring and Protecting Washington's Natural Areas.”
Please visit www.olympicpeninsulaaudubon.org for more conference information.
The Desperate Plight of Grizzly Bears in the North Cascades
Briefing to be given at the September 11 General Membership meeting
The number of Grizzly Bears remaining in the North Cascades is dangerously low. Currently less than one dozen bears remain of this isolated and precarious population.
Grizzly Bear
Will Patric of Conservation Northwest will brief Skagit Audubon members on the critical situation of these bears.
