SF Bayflower: Bird On A Wire: A Look at Our History in California

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| Newsletter April 2026

California Condor, Richardson Bay Field Day, Migratory Bird Conservation Partnership tagging.

Looking back at 30 years of impact in CA

Images (left to right): California Condor, Mia Rosati, former Community Conservation Fellow for Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary, and Ian Souza-Cole, Working Lands Program Manager, releasing a Dunlin for a shorebird movement study. Photo credits: Loi-Nguyen/Audubon Photography Awards, Paige Fernandez/Audubon California, Alecia Smith/Audubon California.

In 2026, we're thrilled to celebrate 30 years of advancing statewide conservation for birds, habitats, and communities. Take a trip with us down memory lane through our new timeline, exploring the key moments that have shaped conservation in California: from our intervention for California Condors on the brink of extinction and our behind-the-scenes work to list the Tricolored Blackbird, to the landmark ruling that saved Mono Lake and the historic Tejon Ranch agreement to conserve the state's largest private landholding.

Together, these milestones reflect what long-term conservation makes possible through science, advocacy, and strong community leadership. Ultimately, it reflects the people who make this work possible: our 49 impressive chapters, brilliant partners, passionate staff, tireless volunteers, and committed supporters like you.

All year long, we'll invite you to come along with us as we celebrate historic wins, learn about current bright spots, and get inspired for the future we'll continue building for birds and people, together.

We'd bet you didn't know Audubon California had a hand in that! Check out the historic gems in our retrospective timeline.

Our 2026 Policy Priorities

Audubon California's policy team is pushing several key priorities this year, including expanding outdoor access, advocating for conservation funding, defending the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and protecting public lands. See what's on the agenda and why it matters for birds and communities.

Burrowing Owls. Photo: Stefan Kathman/Audubon Photography Awards

Updated Marine IBAs for a Changing Coast

Sooty Shearwaters and Elegant Terns are just some of the seabirds that rely on productive marine habitats recognized as Important Bird Areas (IBAs). Learn how updated Marine IBAs are helping guide conservation, research, and responsible offshore wind planning in California.

California Marine IBA. Photo: Keilani Bonis-Ericksen/Audubon California.

Salton Sea Shorebird Research Published in Waterbirds

Our latest Salton Sea research is now officially published in the peer-reviewed journal Waterbirds. The paper, A Shrinking Inland Sea: Trends in Avian Populations and Habitats at the Salton Sea, is based on years of bird surveys and habitat analysis to better understand how this rapidly changing landscape is affecting birds. The study highlights challenges and reasons for hope, including newly emerging wetlands that are creating valuable habitat for shorebirds.

Intermountain West Shorebird Survey at the Salton Sea. Photo: Sydney Walsh/Audubon.

California Chapters are Leading Change and Building Community

California chapters are leading important work in their communities with help from this year's Audubon in Action Grants and Collaborative Grants. We're thrilled to see projects focused on BIPOC conservation leaders in the Bay Area, student bird scientists in San Diego, Western Grebe monitoring in Plumas, and so much more. Explore the projects that received funding this year and the impact they're helping build.

Anna's Hummingbird hovering over a fountain at Ardenwood Historic Farm in the East Bay (Fremont, California). Photo: Michael Yee/Audubon Photography Awards.

Planting is for the (Humming)Birds: Debs Park's latest plot

Do you know how to plant for birds in different microclimates? Our Senior Education Coordinator at Debs Park, Chelsea Abrahamian, walks us through how they think about restoring habitat for birds like Goldfinches and hummingbirds, adding native plants like Purple Sages and Creeping Snowberry in just the right sites. See what other native plants you recognize.

Audubon Center at Debs Park Community Habitat Restoration. Photo: Mike Fernandez/Audubon

More to Explore

Check out more stories, conversations, and events featuring our Audubon Conservation Ranching team, bird migration science with the CA Working Lands team, and upcoming opportunities to connect with our centers and sanctuaries.