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the Endangered Species List
by Pepper Trail, Winter 2009-2010
On November 11, 2009, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
announced that it will remove the Brown Pelican from the
Endangered Species List, highlighting the remarkable recovery of
this bird over the last several decades.
The Brown Pelican was first declared endangered in 1970 under
the Endangered Species Conservation Act, the precursor to the
current Endangered Species Act. At that time, pollutants such as
DDT had driven the species to near extinction. Brown Pelicans
along the Atlantic Coast and in the South were removed from the
list in 1985.
It is estimated that the global population of Brown Pelicans has
reached about 620,000. Of these, about 172,000 live along the
California and Mexico coast. This latest move by the Department of
the Interior removes all Endangered Species Act protections for
the bird.
Although the Brown Pelican population has increased
substantially, much of its breeding grounds face near constant
threat from human activity, particularly pollution risks such as oil
and sewage spills. Moreover, the Brown Pelican needs fish to
survive, which links the species to the continued health of marine
fisheries.
While supportive of the decision, officials at Audubon California
stated that continued threats to the birds habitat will require
continued conservation if the Brown Pelican is going to fully return
to its former glory.
“Obviously, the dramatic return of the Brown Pelican over the last
few decades is a tremendous victory for the Endangered Species
Act,” said Graham Chisholm, executive director of Audubon
California. “But given the threats that still exist, it is important that
the Department of Interior and others continue their efforts to
protect this important species.”
“For many Californians, our magnificent coastline is part of our
natural identity, and the Brown Pelican is a treasured part of that
image,” added Chisholm. “That is all the more reason why we need
to remain diligent about protecting this bird from the many threats
that it still faces.”
Oregon Audubon Conservation Priorities for 2010
The Oregon Audubon Council (OAC) is made up of the twelve
Audubon chapters in Oregon, acting in consultation to set
priorities and coordinate action. The OAC annual conservation
strategy meeting was held in Salem November 7th. Bill Hering,
representing Rogue Valley Audubon at the meeting, reports that
much was gained by the combined efforts and experience of the
Oregon Audubon chapters. Important progress was reported on
the first priority for 2009, the establishment of Oregon Marine
Protected Areas (marine reserves) off the Oregon coast. Although
much remains to be done, the Oregon Legislature’s establishment
of two Marine Reserves this year allowed the OAC to establish new
priorities for 2010.
#1: Important Bird Areas: The OAC recognizes the need to highlight
Important Bird Areas (IBAs) as critical areas of important ecological
significance for native birds and their habitats.
Action Priority: Establish a statewide network and program of IBAs
in each eco-region in Oregon.
#2: Wildland Forest Habitats: Recognizing that biological diversity
and long-term forest productivity are threatened due to the
continuing destruction and degradation of wildland forest
ecosystems, including old growth forest, roadless forest, and
wilderness areas, the OAC advocates for protection of the
remaining wildland forest habitats on public lands.
Action Priority: Protect wildland forest species and habitats by
defeating protection rollbacks in public lands management plans,
the Northern Spotted Owl Recovery Plan and attempts to de-list
the Marbled Murrelet.
#3: Inland Water Habitat Protection: Wetland and Riparian and
Oregon Stream and Watersheds/Willamette River Protection: OAC
delegates recognized the need to identify a new set of Action
Priorities for the two issues (Wetland/Riparian and Stream and
Watersheds) together or to identify separate Action Priorities for
each issue. An OAC working group will be formed to identify these
priorities. Chapters were encouraged to pursue and commit to
local areas of concern.
In addition to the three priorities for 2010, the Council identified
Other Issues of Special Concern:
* Marine Protected Areas: The OAC supports the designation of
Marine Protected Areas, including fully protected marine reserves
in Oregon’s Territorial Seas as well as in the federal Exclusive
Economic Zone of the Pacific Ocean.
* Wildlife Diversity Programs: The OAC supports the continuing
study and protection of wildlife diversity and habitat by the Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Biological Resources
Division, U.S. Geological Survey. The OAC also supports efforts to
secure broader and more stable funding bases for both the
Biological Resources Division and Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife’s Wildlife Diversity Program An OAC working group will be
formed to update this issue for 2010 with a special emphasis on
funding ideas for the non-game program and emphasis on refuges
for birders instead of hunters.
* Energy Development and Wildlife Protection: An OAC working
group will be formed to update this issue for 2010 to include
energy and mining resources, fossil fuel reduction, and wind
power policy.
(Home)
by Pepper Trail, Winter 2009-2010
On November 11, 2009, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
announced that it will remove the Brown Pelican from the
Endangered Species List, highlighting the remarkable recovery of
this bird over the last several decades.
The Brown Pelican was first declared endangered in 1970 under
the Endangered Species Conservation Act, the precursor to the
current Endangered Species Act. At that time, pollutants such as
DDT had driven the species to near extinction. Brown Pelicans
along the Atlantic Coast and in the South were removed from the
list in 1985.
It is estimated that the global population of Brown Pelicans has
reached about 620,000. Of these, about 172,000 live along the
California and Mexico coast. This latest move by the Department of
the Interior removes all Endangered Species Act protections for
the bird.
Although the Brown Pelican population has increased
substantially, much of its breeding grounds face near constant
threat from human activity, particularly pollution risks such as oil
and sewage spills. Moreover, the Brown Pelican needs fish to
survive, which links the species to the continued health of marine
fisheries.
While supportive of the decision, officials at Audubon California
stated that continued threats to the birds habitat will require
continued conservation if the Brown Pelican is going to fully return
to its former glory.
“Obviously, the dramatic return of the Brown Pelican over the last
few decades is a tremendous victory for the Endangered Species
Act,” said Graham Chisholm, executive director of Audubon
California. “But given the threats that still exist, it is important that
the Department of Interior and others continue their efforts to
protect this important species.”
“For many Californians, our magnificent coastline is part of our
natural identity, and the Brown Pelican is a treasured part of that
image,” added Chisholm. “That is all the more reason why we need
to remain diligent about protecting this bird from the many threats
that it still faces.”
Oregon Audubon Conservation Priorities for 2010
The Oregon Audubon Council (OAC) is made up of the twelve
Audubon chapters in Oregon, acting in consultation to set
priorities and coordinate action. The OAC annual conservation
strategy meeting was held in Salem November 7th. Bill Hering,
representing Rogue Valley Audubon at the meeting, reports that
much was gained by the combined efforts and experience of the
Oregon Audubon chapters. Important progress was reported on
the first priority for 2009, the establishment of Oregon Marine
Protected Areas (marine reserves) off the Oregon coast. Although
much remains to be done, the Oregon Legislature’s establishment
of two Marine Reserves this year allowed the OAC to establish new
priorities for 2010.
#1: Important Bird Areas: The OAC recognizes the need to highlight
Important Bird Areas (IBAs) as critical areas of important ecological
significance for native birds and their habitats.
Action Priority: Establish a statewide network and program of IBAs
in each eco-region in Oregon.
#2: Wildland Forest Habitats: Recognizing that biological diversity
and long-term forest productivity are threatened due to the
continuing destruction and degradation of wildland forest
ecosystems, including old growth forest, roadless forest, and
wilderness areas, the OAC advocates for protection of the
remaining wildland forest habitats on public lands.
Action Priority: Protect wildland forest species and habitats by
defeating protection rollbacks in public lands management plans,
the Northern Spotted Owl Recovery Plan and attempts to de-list
the Marbled Murrelet.
#3: Inland Water Habitat Protection: Wetland and Riparian and
Oregon Stream and Watersheds/Willamette River Protection: OAC
delegates recognized the need to identify a new set of Action
Priorities for the two issues (Wetland/Riparian and Stream and
Watersheds) together or to identify separate Action Priorities for
each issue. An OAC working group will be formed to identify these
priorities. Chapters were encouraged to pursue and commit to
local areas of concern.
In addition to the three priorities for 2010, the Council identified
Other Issues of Special Concern:
* Marine Protected Areas: The OAC supports the designation of
Marine Protected Areas, including fully protected marine reserves
in Oregon’s Territorial Seas as well as in the federal Exclusive
Economic Zone of the Pacific Ocean.
* Wildlife Diversity Programs: The OAC supports the continuing
study and protection of wildlife diversity and habitat by the Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Biological Resources
Division, U.S. Geological Survey. The OAC also supports efforts to
secure broader and more stable funding bases for both the
Biological Resources Division and Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife’s Wildlife Diversity Program An OAC working group will be
formed to update this issue for 2010 with a special emphasis on
funding ideas for the non-game program and emphasis on refuges
for birders instead of hunters.
* Energy Development and Wildlife Protection: An OAC working
group will be formed to update this issue for 2010 to include
energy and mining resources, fossil fuel reduction, and wind
power policy.
(Home)
| Something to ponder: "The last word of ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?' If the land mechanism as a whole is good, then every part is good, whether we understand it or not. If the biota, in the course of aeons, has built something we like, but do not understand, then who but a fool would discard seemingly useless parts? To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering." Aldo Leopold, The Sand County Almanac |
| PO Box 8597 Medford, OR 97501 roguevalleyaudubon.org |