We're combating threats facing Arctic birds
Dear KAREN, Once synonymous with the Arctic tundra, Snowy Owls have seen steep population declines. The 2022 State of the Birds report considered them "On Alert," having lost 50 percent of their population from 1979 to 2019. And the International Union for Conservation listed the Snowy Owl as "vulnerable" after the adult population dropped from 200,000 in 2013 to only 28,000 in 2017—a staggering 86% decrease. Climate change, resulting in a loss of their important habitats and the prey they rely on to survive, is the main driver in these worrying numbers. Drastic action needs to happen now. Birds from the Snowy Owl to the Golden-winged Warbler are counting on all of us to step up to protect the places they call home. Please, will you join us with an annual gift? Thanks to a group of dedicated supporters, your donation will be matched up to $5,000 for birds like the Snowy Owl. | | | | |
In the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area, a wetland in Arctic Alaska, ice melt due to climate change has caused rapid erosion of the landscape leading to habitat loss. Teshekpuk Lake is one of the most ecologically important wetlands in the entire Arctic, providing habitat for tens of thousands of molting geese, threatened species like the Spectacled Eider, and nesting shorebirds and waterfowl. Birds from this region and across the Western Arctic disperse along all four major flyways of the U.S., as well as to Asia and beyond. We know how critical this area is for Snowy Owls—and all Arctic wildlife. That's why our public lands and Alaska teams are working tirelessly to educate elected officials on the threats Arctic birds face and urge for protections in priority habitats like the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area. | | | | |
The birds we love need protection | | | | |
Snowy Owls have been listed as a "vulnerable" species since 2017. | | | | | |
The Snowy Owl has lost 50% of its population from 1970-2019. | | | | | |
We are working to permanently protect important Snowy Owl habitat from oil and gas developments. | | | | | |
Photo: Grant Eldridge/Audubon Photography Awards. Illustrations: Golden-winged Warbler, Snowy Owl. | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment