Re: All that’s left after megafires scorch hundreds of square miles of pristine wilderness

Get your first annual gift matched for birds like the Western Burrowing Owl.

Smoke and silence. That's all that is left after megafires scorch hundreds of square miles of pristine wilderness. You may have seen the recent news that Canada's current fire season is already the worst since modern recordkeeping began in 1983. And in the United States, record-breaking forest fires fueled by climate change are becoming an all-too-common occurrence.

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But there is hope. We're uniquely suited to meet the urgency of this moment—and with you by our side, we can give vulnerable birds facing some of the worst consequences of climate change a safer, brighter future. Start your annual donation now while your first gift will be matched, up to $5,000, for birds and their habitats.

Burrowing Owl.

Megafires are threatening birds. But you can help.

Dear KAREN, A long-legged owl of open country, often active by day, the Western Burrowing Owl is a familiar favorite across the sagebrush steppe, but sadly they have lost one-third of their population between 1965 and 2016. And as megafires fueled by the one-two punch of invasive grasses and longer fire seasons threaten this ecosystem's very existence, vulnerable birds that depend on these landscapes are at serious risk. Wildfires across a variety of habitats are increasing in intensity, size, and frequency due to hotter and drier conditions caused by climate change. If we are to protect the birds we love and the places they need to survive, we must act now. Will you be one of the caring friends we're counting on to start an annual donation right away? When you join us today, your first gift will be matched, up to $5,000, thanks to a group of generous donors. Your annual gift will renew automatically each year, providing uninterrupted resources our teams can depend on in their work year after year.

Wildfires are becoming so severe that even bird species who generally benefit from fires can no longer survive in the aftermath. There's essentially nothing left but a barren, homogenous landscape—and habitat that doesn't have time to regenerate before burning again. That's why we're working to protect resilient landscapes, pushing governments to reduce carbon emissions, and more.

Megafires threaten critical bird habitats

Climate change has led to an increase in wildfire season length, wildfire frequency, and burned area.

If climate change continues unchecked, more extreme weather events, including wildfires, drought, and extreme heat, lie ahead.

We're in the midst of a global biodiversity crisis, with 3 billion birds lost in the last 50 years.

It comes down to this: Where we work—and when you help—birds are better off. With your support we can continue our work to address climate change and protect as much remaining habitat as possible. But we must do more while there's still time. So please, don't wait another moment: Be one of the supporters we're counting on to start an annual recurring donation and get your first gift matched for birds and their habitats. Sincerely, National Audubon Society

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Photo: Evan Barrientos/Audubon Rockies

 

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