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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(NewsUSA) - Local habitat destruction and broad environmental policies are taking a serious toll close to home. Populations of some of America's most familiar and beloved birds have declined over the past 40 years, with some down by as much as 80 percent, according to the National Audubon Society. Among those with the greatest declines are Eastern Meadowlarks, Evening Grosbeaks, Northern Bobwhites, Northern Pintails and Greater Scaup.
There is good reason for people to take heed: not only does the chance to see and hear our favorite birds affect our quality of life, but birds are also important indicators of the overall health of our environment. Like the proverbial canaries in the coal mine, they send an urgent warning about threats to our water, air, natural resources, climate and more.
Fortunately, your actions can prevent birds from becoming fading memories of the living abundance America used to know. The following are some important ways to help:
* Protect local habitat. Join local Audubon chapters and other groups to protect and restore habitats close to home. Audubon's Important Bird Areas program offers opportunities to save critical bird habitat, from small land parcels to broad ecosystems.
* Promote sound agricultural policy. This has enormous impact on grassland birds and habitat, including Northern Bobwhites and Eastern Meadowlarks. Promoting strong conservation provisions in the federal Farm Bill and Conservation Reserve Program can help to protect millions of acres of vital habitat.
* Support sustainable forests. The Boreal Forest in the Northern U.S. and Canada is essential breeding territory for many species of birds, including Evening Grosbeaks. Federal and state legislations promoting sustainable forest management will help fight habitat loss from inappropriate logging, mining and drilling.
* Protect wetlands. Support for local, state and federal wetlands conservation programs is essential to protect a wide array of species.
* Fight global warming. The decline of common birds is just one impact of global warming's mounting threat to people and wildlife around the world. Individual energy conservation, along with strong federal, state and local legislation to cap greenhouse emissions, can help to curb its worst consequences.
* Combat invasive species. Invasive non-native species disrupt the delicate ecological balance that sustains birds and other wildlife. Federal, regional, state, and local regulations are needed to combat this growing environmental threat. The "Audubon At Home" program offers tips for supporting birds with native plants.
For links to more information on the above initiatives, visit www.audubon.org. To see Audubon's "Common Birds in Decline" analysis, visit www.stateofthebirds.audubon.org/CBID.
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