Bright Spot Alert: CA Climate Bond, First-Ever Tribally Nominated Marine Sanctuary, and More!

Get inspired by the first-ever Tribally nominated marine sanctuary—plus, join Audubon Debs Park for a community run to support communities in outdoor recreation and conservation.

 

                                                                                                                                                            

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Prop 4 Passed | Fun at Debs Park | Historic New Marine Sanctuary | New Eelgrass Protection Zone | Black Oystercatcher nest success | Protecting the Snowy Plover

California Voters Overwhelmingly Say "Yes" to Prop 4! Bright spot alert: Prop 4, the Climate Bond, passed for birds, people, and our future, and we couldn't be more grateful! Thanks to bird advocates and environmental champions like you, California voters passed Proposition 4—the largest public investment dedicated to climate resilience in our state's history!  With over 59% of the vote, Californians have embraced Proposition 4. This landmark victory will fund crucial climate solutions, including habitat protection, water conservation, coastal resilience, and restoration efforts that will help birds and communities thrive long into the future. We're so proud of how our Audubon network showed up—the outpouring of support from California chapters, voter pledges, and incredible social media engagement from community members like you helped bring this win home.  See highlights from our campaign and learn more about what this means for climate-vulnerable communities, birds, and natural spaces throughout California.

Song Sparrow. Photo: Michelle Mackenzie.

Read the letter from our CEO about how we'll navigate the impacts of a new administration "We understand that this news may feel daunting, but it also strengthens our resolve to fight for what we know is right: the preservation of our natural world for birds—and for all of us..."

Based in LA? Join Us on November 16 for a Scenic Run & Fun at Debs Park!  Looking to support community and nature in Los Angeles? Join Aztlan Athletics and the Audubon Center at Debs Park team for a scenic 4-mile run, walk, or hike through Debs Park—one of LA's hidden gems! Part of the Aztlan Wellness Series, this event benefits the Audubon Center at Debs Park, which inspires people to connect with and protect the natural world, with a special focus on engaging local Latino communities in outdoor recreation and conservation. ⁣  Whether you sign up for the race or just join in for the post-race activities (no registration needed), there's something for everyone to enjoy! Consider signing up for the race, and explore all the activities here!

Audubon Center at Debs Park. Photo: Mike Fernandez/Audubon.

Historic New Marine Sanctuary along CA's Central Coast Shows the Power of Tribal-Led Conservation Spanning over 4,500 square miles between the Monterey Bay and Channel Islands sanctuaries, the new Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary is the largest marine sanctuary designation in over 25 years, protecting vital marine habitats, prohibiting harmful activities like offshore drilling, and supporting climate resilience. In her recent blog, Audubon's Liliana Griego shares her experience on a foggy 10-hour pelagic birding trip through this remarkable area, where she spotted endangered fin whales, dolphins, and seabirds now safeguarded by the sanctuary.   Read more about this inspiring Tribally-led conservation effort.

Brown Pelican diving for food against a backdrop of humpback whales and other seabirds. Photo: Morgan Quimby/Audubon Photography Awards.

New Eelgrass Protection Zone launches in Richardson Bay! In the beautiful bay waters near Sausalito, California, a whole world of marine life thrives just beneath the surface. Silvery fish flash along emerald green meadows, crabs and other invertebrates scuttle about in the blades, and waterbirds dive into these eelgrass beds to forage. And now, thanks to a broad collaborative effort, 700 acres of this vital habitat will be safeguarded as the Richardson Bay Regional Agency's (RBRA) new designated Eelgrass Protection Zone. Explore how a critical area of eelgrass beds will be protected and restored, and support our efforts to protect and restore this invaluable ecosystem HERE, and stay updated on our work HERE.

Great Egret walking through the waters of Richardson Bay Audubon Center and Sanctuary. Photo: Joey Negreann.

Black Oystercatcher nest success from San Luis Obispo through Oregon Black Oystercatchers are true edge-dwellers, relying entirely on narrow intertidal zones for survival. Nesting too low puts chicks at risk of being swept away by high surf, while higher nests expose them to predators and human disturbance. Though not listed as threatened, these birds face mounting challenges from climate change and habitat pressures, making them a priority for conservation. Rising seas in California, projected to increase by up to three meters by 2100, threaten to shrink nesting sites and disrupt reproduction.  Learn more about a new community science-driven study that shows a striking gradient in Black Oystercatcher reproductive success and potential climate threats.

Black Oystercatcher with chick. Bonnie Block/Audubon Photography Awards.

Hidden in the Sand: How Protecting the Snowy Plover Builds Coastal Resilience with Prop 4 Willets, Long-billed Curlews, and quick-dashing Sanderlings might be easy to spot, but look closely, and you might catch a glimpse of an elusive Western Snowy Plover—a sandy, brown-and-white blur almost hidden in the shoreline. Seeing these small shorebirds that only weigh about as much as two AA batteries race across an extensive stretch of beach made Ventura Audubon's Shorebird Recovery Intern Lindsay Rose realize they need all the help they can get. Learn more about how Prop 4 can strengthen habitats for shorebirds and communities alike. Western Snowy Plover resting in the sand at Ormond Beach in Oxnard California. Photo: Alecia Smith/Audubon California. Emerging Wetlands at the Salton Sea The Salton Sea remains a crucial refuge for hundreds of thousands of migratory and resident birds, even as its landscape transforms. For the past five years, Audubon California has been documenting newly formed wetland habitats emerging as agricultural drains and streams now flow over the dry lakebed. These unexpected wetlands provide essential space for birds, fish, and wildlife, especially as California has already lost 95% of its native wetlands. Learn how Audubon is working to protect these vital habitats for birds and people.  Bombay Beach Wetland Project - Vegetation Change 2020 - 2022

How 14,404 Supporter Actions Supported Vital Protections for California's Last Wetlands Thanks to the dedication of California legislators, partners, and Audubon Supporters, we're celebrating two key wins for wetland protection and restoration.   The passage of AB 2875 ensures no net loss of wetlands in California, a critical safeguard after federal protections were rolled back. This bill strengthens state protections for vital wetland habitats that support migratory birds and other wildlife.  SB 583 establishes the Salton Sea Conservancy, marking a major step in restoring and managing the Salton Sea's wetlands, which provide critical habitat for shorebirds and other species.  Explore more about Audubon-Backed Policy Wins in 2024.

Lesser Yellowlegs. Photo: Steffen Foerster/Audubon Photography Awards.

Audubon California in the News: Times-Herald: Proposition 4: California's $10 billion ballot measure for wildfires, water projects and heat waves explained LAist: The flip side to Colorado River conservation? A drying Salton Sea The Desert Sun: The Chuckwalla National Monument will be an investment in my generation The Desert Sun: Astonishing bird counts at California's dying Salton Sea

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