Thanksgiving Wishes from Audubon

Dear Andrew, On behalf of the birds and other wildlife that we are all working to protect, we wanted to thank you for sending letters, making phone calls, and staying informed. Thanks to you, in the past year, we have fended off repeated threats to the Clean Air Act, prevented a landfill from encroaching upon the Joshua Tree National Park, and protected thousands of acres of globally-significant wetlands around Teshekpuk Lake in Alaska. Audubon also was the first national organization on the scene with staff and volunteers to respond to the horrific BP oil spill. These are just a few of the year's highlights, and they are certainly your highlights as well, because our activists and volunteers had a hand in every one of these accomplishments. Simply put, we could not achieve conservation victories without your help. So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, thanks for being a part of Audubon's Action Network! Sincerely yours, Mike Daulton, Vice President of Government Relations & Brian, Connie, Justin, Liz, Sean and Taldi Audubon's Policy Team Caspian Tern Photo courtesy of Bob Martinka Audubon 1150 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 861-2242 | audubonaction@audubon.org

Bison Prarie Range Habit Extended Free the Yellowstone 60

Slaughter or Survival? Will the Yellowstone 60 face death... or freedom on the Great Plains? Help free the Yellowstone 60 -- bison that hold the key to the recovery of these iconic animals. Dear Andrew, A herd of genetically pure, disease-free bison could be the key to widespread recovery of these iconic animals. But these bison -- known as the Yellowstone 60 -- could be killed, if we don't find a home for them soon. Please donate today to help free the Yellowstone 60 -- bison that could hold the key to the recovery of these iconic animals on the American plains. As a part of government-sponsored research from 2005 to 2008, a few dozen bison calves were spared from an annual ritual of hazing and slaughter -- a ritual spurred by an exaggerated fear of disease -- that Yellowstone bison face each winter as they descend from the safety of the park. These true American bison have been proven disease-free -- but their fate remains in doubt: These bison could be killed unless an adequate home is found. Your contribution will help save the Yellowstone 60 from slaughter, support our efforts to restore bison in the West and protect other imperiled wildlife. Please donate today. For centuries, bison by the tens of millions thundered across America's grasslands, weaving their way into the rich ecology and diverse cultures of the Great Plains. Now, after the tragic slaughter of the 1800s that nearly wiped out America's bison, we have a unique opportunity to help these iconic animals -- some of the last true, wild bison in the U.S. -- once again roam the prairie beyond Yellowstone National Park. We're partnering with the Native American tribes of Fort Belknap and Fort Peck Reservations in Montana to create a new home for the Yellowstone 60 on their reservations. Already, with the help of our sister organization Defenders of Wildlife, the two reservations have secured 27,000 acres of prime bison habitat. But much more work needs to be done. Along with our partners, we need to secure vital grazing allotments on nearby federal and tribal lands, ensure proper facilities and infrastructure are built and convince Montana officials to approve the transfer of the Yellowstone 60 to the safety of Fort Peck and Fort Belknap Reservations -- all before these iconic animals are killed. We can't do any of this wildlife-saving work without your help. Please help us save the Yellowstone 60 and protect other wildlife you cherish. Thanks to hundreds of caring supporters like you, we've already mobilized more than 100,000 people through partners like Care2, Change.org and The Animal Rescue Site to urge federal officials to stop the annual hazing and slaughter that bison face as they venture outside the safety of Yellowstone National Park. Now, we can help protect the Yellowstone 60 by ensuring their lasting future on the American plains where they can also once again enrich the historic culture of two Native American reservations. Please donate today. Sincerely, Rodger Schlickeisen President Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund P.S. Help us save the Yellowstone 60 with a secure donation online today. Or call 1-800 425-4632 to donate by phone.
© Copyright , Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund Paid for by Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund at http://www.defendersactionfund.org/ and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund provides a powerful voice in Washington to Americans who value our conservation heritage. Through grassroots lobbying, issue advocacy and political campaigns, the Action Fund champions those laws and lawmakers that protect wildlife and wild places while working against those that do them harm. Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund can be contacted at: 1130 17th Street, NW Washington, DC 20036

 

Audubon Gulf Recovery Bird Rescue Video

November 12, 2010 Dear Andrew, We thought you would be interested in a new National Geographic video, which showcases Audubon volunteers in action. The video follows citizen scientists as they track Gulf coast birds in the BP spill zone and learns how their work is helping document the disaster's effects on Gulf coast birds. Watch video. Get another volunteer perspective from Sarah Andert, who discusses her work as a wildlife transport liaison in a new video from Audubon magazine. Watch video. Special Webcast Showcases the Gulf Restoration Effort Register for our next webcast, Gulf Coast Restoration: Next Steps. This special webcast features some spectacular video footage produced by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. We'll also look at how legislation in Congress can benefit Gulf coast restoration (see article below). Don't miss this interactive and informative webcast, November 18, 1 PM EST. If you can't make that date, the archived version will be available the following day.  Register for the live event or the archive webcast. U.S. Senate Considers Oil Spill Recovery Legislation Audubon is calling for the Senate to pass legislation to direct BP's Clean Water Act penalties to Gulf Coast environmental recovery and to do so now. The lame duck congressional session in November and December offers the final opportunity to hold BP and other polluters accountable, put safeguards in place to prevent a disaster like this from happening again, and set the Gulf coast on a path toward healing and renewal. Here's the scoop and a rallying cry from Chris Canfield, VP Gulf of Mexico Conservation and Restoration. "This past week I was in Pensacola, Florida, at the inaugural meeting of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force. It is a long name for group now tasked with facing a long river of challenges that has flowed into one of the world's great ecosystems. We should be encouraged that this unprecedented grouping of federal and state agencies is being led by a close friend of Audubon's, John Hankinson, Jr. Until this appointment, Hankinson was the chair of Audubon of Florida's board. We should be distressed, though, by the fact that there is no funding currently available for this effort. What a further tragedy it would be to waste the tremendous goodwill and passion across the country for finally restoring this great national treasure, as so many at the meeting described it. Let's get our elected leaders, especially our senators, to respond now and put the money where it is most urgently needed." Learn more. Audubon President & CEO Urges Senate Action to Protect the Environment"Americans may have voted for change in Congress, but no one voted to increase pollution," asserts David Yarnold in his statement regarding the outcome of the 2010 election. "Audubon stands ready to respond by focusing conservation and environmental protection efforts at the state, community and individual level. The election of 2010 brought a sea change to Congress, but our grassroots supporters are committed to ensuring it doesn't swamp the chances for progress toward a healthy planet for birds, wildlife and people everywhere." Read full statement. "Thank-you" Event Celebrates Gulf Volunteers A full moon rising over the Mississippi Sound on a crisp October evening provided the perfect backdrop for Audubon's Volunteer Appreciation Gala. Hosted by Audubon staff, the celebration was a "thank you" to Gulf-based volunteers who served as wildlife transport facilitators, coastal bird survey observers, Volunteer Response Center phone back operators and more. Join us on Facebook! We have created a special page for registered volunteers in the Gulf region to connect with each other and Audubon's oil spill response team. Thank you for your continued support. Audubon 1150 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 861-2242 | audubonaction@audubon.org

November Audubon Advisory Senate Clean Up Oil Spill

 

Audubon Advisory November 2010 Vol 2010 Issue 10   Rescued Brown Pelican after being cleaned and released. Credit: Gerry Ellis   U.S. Senate Must Act This Year to Pass Oil Spill Recovery Legislation Under the Clean Water Act, BP is liable for billions in civil penalties, but Congress must act to direct the money to restoration efforts in the Gulf. Read more.     The 112th Congress will pass major legislation impacting the conservation of grassland birds like this Dickcissel. Credit: Steve Maslowski/USFWS   Audubon Outlook for the 112th Congress Last week's elections mean challenges—and opportunities—are on the horizon for important conservation work. Read more.     The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act helps save habitat for Cerulean Warblers and other songbirds. Credit: Mdf/Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-3.0)   Audubon Conservation Priorities Congress still has work to do this year to ensure the success of critical conservation programs. Thousands of acres of wildlife habitat are at risk without adequate funding. Read more.   Briefly Noted Audubon on alert to defend the Clean Air Act. Register for Gulf Restoration: Next Steps webcast. New biography tells story of Rosalie Edge, a pioneer of the conservation movement. "Celebrate the Arctic" program kits available. Audubon launches Holiday Gift Catalog.   November Mystery Bird Congratulations to Eleanor P., of Long Beach, CA, who was randomly chosen from the entries that correctly identified last month's Black-headed Grosbeak, at right. Good luck with this month's challenge, below. HINT: This species is one of twelve that can be adopted in Audubon's new Holiday Catalog. The winner will receive a plush Audubon singing bird and will be chosen at random from all entries received that correctly identify the species (NAS employees can play but not win). One entry per person please! Please email us your entry, being sure the words "Mystery Bird" appear in the subject line. Deadline for entering is Sunday, December 5. Photo credits: Black-headed Grosbeak-Steve Ryan/Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-2.0), Mystery Bird-USFWS    The Audubon Advisory is published monthly by Audubon's Public Policy Program. 1150 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 861-2242 | audubonaction@audubon.org

Killing Woles is Not Patriotic, Save the Wolves of the Northern Rockies

We need your help to counter dangerous anti-wolf hate speech like this: Killing wolves is patriotic. Use shelter dogs to lure wolves to their deaths. Eliminate all wolves from the Northern Rockies -- by any means necessary. Help Run Our New Ad Montanans are speaking out against extreme anti-wolf policies. Will you help ensure their voices are heard? Donate today to help run radio ads to fight extreme anti-wolf hate speech in the Northern Rockies and protect the lives of wolves and other imperiled wildlife. We need to raise $50,000 by Monday (Nov. 15th) to produce and air our new radio ads. Please listen to some of the wolf stories we'll be including in the ads and donate whatever you can.   Dear Andrew, The fate of Montana's wolves could hang on outrageous words like these and the deeds of a handful of vocal anti-wolf extremists. Don't let the extremists win. Help us counter anti-wolf rhetoric with a new radio ad featuring pro-wolf Montanans. Anti-wolf hate speech is becoming louder by the day -- and it could have deadly consequences for the wolves that you and I have fought so hard to restore to Greater Yellowstone and the Northern Rockies. But the region is more than radical anti-wolf extremists. That's why we're showcasing the sensible people just like you who live in the region -- and recognize the importance and beauty of the wolves in Greater Yellowstone and the Northern Rockies. Listen to their stories -- and please help us ensure that their pro-wolf voices are heard. With the support of people like you, we've been able to record the testimonials of 300 authentic Montanans who favor an end to the anti-wolf hate that has been dominating the airwaves and inciting violence against our endangered wolves. Now comes the next vital step in our campaign to counter the anti-wolf hate speech in Montana: ensuring that these voices of reason are heard in a powerful new radio ad. Help us produce and air a new radio ad to counter the anti-wolf propaganda. Donate whatever amount is right for you to run radio ads to help fight extreme anti-wolf rhetoric in the Northern Rockies and protect the lives of wolves and other imperiled wildlife. Our new radio ad will help refute the lies about the wolf and demonstrate support for wolves in the Big Sky state -- ground zero in the extremists' war on wolves. We need to raise $50,000 by Monday (Nov. 15th) to help save these amazing, ecologically important animals. Your tax-deductible donation will help: Produce and air our new radio ad to combat anti-wolf hate speech in Montana; Fight anti-wolf legislation in Congress; Help ranchers to co-exist with wolves and keep these magnificent animals out of harm's way; and Promote other vital efforts to save wolves and other imperiled wildlife. The support of caring people like you has helped Defenders return wolves to Greater Yellowstone and the Northern Rockies, beat back efforts to eliminate life-saving protections for these magnificent animals and build important partnerships to ensure a lasting future for wolves in the region. But we need your help to keep fighting. Please donate now. For the Wild Ones, Rodger Schlickeisen President Defenders of Wildlife P.S. Please make a secure online donation now so we can get our radio on the air and keep fighting for wolves and other imperiled wildlife. You can also contribute by phone – just call 1-800-385-9712. Use PayPal to donate before Saturday and your contribution will be matched dollar for dollar – doubling the impact of your contribution!    Share on Facebook Defenders Home | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Donate Now

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Audubon Leaders Rally to Protect Snail Kites

 

Tell Your Friends Send this message to friends and family members. Tell them to help Florida's birds and wildlife too. Stay in touch with the Audubon of Florida Policy Team Eric Draper – Executive Director Charles Lee – Advocacy Director Julie Wraithmell – Wildlife Advocacy Director Julie Hill-Gabriel – Everglades Team Leader Jonathan Webber – Conservation Campaigns Additional Resources Snail Kite Survival Factsheet Snail Kite White Paper Audubon Leaders Rally to Protect Snail Kites Staff, supporters and citizens turn out to help this signature Florida bird. A Snail Kite clutching a snail.  Photo by Mike Tracy Hundreds of people responded last week to Audubon's efforts to support managing the important Snail Kite habitat on Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho) by downloading our Factsheet and by testifying at a public hearing before management agencies on Friday, November 6. Thank you all for rallying to protect Snail Kites. Nine Audubon volunteer leaders from Kissimmee Valley and Ocklawaha Audubon chapters joined Audubon of Florida staff scientist Paul Gray, Ph.D to support aquatic plant management actions that will protect enough exotic hydrilla and exotic apple snails that currently sustain the Snail Kite breeding efforts. The hearing was run jointly by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. A local issue has taken on national importance because federally endangered Snail Kite numbers have dropped from more than 3,000 birds ten years ago to less than 700 today. If trends continue, the species could be extinct in a few decades. The Snail Kite is plagued by two problems. In the Kissimmee Valley region, its habitat has been invaded by exotic aquatic plant and snail species that when controlled, leave the Kites with virtually no habitat. In Okeechobee and the southern Everglades, development-driven water management and extreme weather have degraded the natural habitats and availability of food so dramatically that Kite nesting has failed in this area. More than half the nesting Snail Kites now depend on the exotic apple snails that hydrilla supports in Lake Toho. Normally, the exotics would be removed, but due to the urgent need to foster successful Kite breeding, Audubon supports the agencies' position that the exotics should be temporarily protected. Concerns were raised at the meeting of losing boating access if the hydrilla gets too thick and the agencies agreed to maintain boating lanes and fishing holes to sustain the economic importance of the lake, while protecting as much potential habitat for Kites as possible. Please stay connected to Audubon of Florida News as we cover this critical issue and work to protect this signature Florida bird.