Lee Karney, FWS

Volume 5, Number 20

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Circulation: 4,700

“Pale male swimmin’ in the air
Looks like he’s in heaven up there”

-- A tribute to Pale Male, New York City’s famous
red-tailed hawk, on Steve Earle’s
latest album Washington Square Serenade

 

Please continue to send your news and updates to Dianna Parker at diannaparker@audubon.org.

In this issue:

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ASK AUDUBON

Audubon Tells House Panel Wildlife Refuges are Imperiled

Washington, DC — The chair of Audubon's national board, Carol Browner, testified Tuesday before the Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans Subcommittee in the U.S. House of Representatives. The hearing focused on the successes and failures of the National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act, a Clinton-era law intended to improve oversight and management of refuges. Other panelists included former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt and the US Fish and Wildlife Service's director, Dale Hall. The panelists cited inadequate funding, staffing shortages, invasive species, and global warming as the biggest challenges facing refuges today.

To read Carol's testimony, go to http://www.audubon.org/campaign/browner_testimony.html.

Audubon California Establishes Endowment to Support California State Parks

Emeryville, CA - Audubon California announced that it has established an endowment to provide long-term financial assistance to California State Parks to support important conservation, restoration and public outreach projects. Beyond an initial $700,000 donation, Audubon California will continually raise funds and contribute to the endowment, which will pay out 5 percent annually to projects throughout the state's park system.

To read more about the partnership, please visit http://www.audubon-ca.org/newsroom/070927_park_endowment.html.

Delaware Audubon Society Settles Lawsuit with Oil Giant

New York - Texaco has reached a settlement agreement with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Delaware Audubon Society for repeated violations of water pollution limits and Court Orders. The groups had taken Texaco to court five separate times over the previous two decades in order to stop the oil company from polluting the Delaware River. The settlement agreement requires Texaco (and its successor corporation Motiva) to fund $2.25 million in environmental benefit projects in the Delaware City area. More than $1 million will go to Delaware State Parks projects including reforestation, invasive species control, and installation of a remote camera and video display terminals at the Pea Patch Island Heronry. $675,000 will be provided to Main Street Delaware City, Inc. to support several projects under their Eco-Tourism Program.

To read more, go to http://www.delawareaudubon.org/conservation/oct07texacosettlement.html.

Audubon Washington Executive Director Appointed to Statewide Conservation Committe

Olympia, WA - Audubon Washington's Executive Director, was appointed to a committee established by the 2007 Legislature to resolve long-standing issues between local governments and tribal, agricultural and conservation groups. Earlier this year, the 2007 Legislature passed SSB 5248 "Preserving the viability of agricultural lands" which assigned the William D. Ruckelshaus Center to facilitate discussion between these various groups. The Center is a joint venture between the University of Washington and Washington State University. This year, the Center's job is to work with the committee to document facts and concerns about agriculture and conservation issues. Next year, they are to recommend ways to have a viable farming industry and protect environmentally sensitive areas. While their work is underway, local governments may not amend or adopt Critical Areas Ordinances as they relate to agriculture.

Courtesy of Audubon Washington ENewswire. To see the issue, please visit http://wa.audubon.org/aboutus_ENewswire_October2007.html.

Audubon Licensing Department Announces New Book on Birds

New York, NY - Audubon's licensing department announced the publication of BIRD The Definitive Visual Guide, a unique photographic encyclopedia to over 1,400 species of the avian world. BIRD features thousands of outstanding color photographs, drawings, and maps illustrating the complete story, from the origins of birds to key birdwatching locations, as well as offering graphic information on anatomy, flight, feeding, communication, breeding, habitats, migration, and life cycles.

For more information and to place an order, contact DK Publishing at (800) 788-6262 or http://us.dk.com.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Audubon Holiday Cards- Visit Audubon's Holiday Card Center and get a head start on choosing the cheer that you'll send to friends and loved ones.

Stories Sought: What You Are Doing to Help Fight Global Warming - We're looking for stories from the Audubon family. Tell us what steps are you taking - both individual actions and chapter or other group initiatives. We will share your experiences through Newswire and on the Audubon website - inspiring others to join Audubon in making a difference. Please send your story to kconnors@audubon.org - with photos showcasing what you are doing, if you have them!

ASK AUDUBON

"Would there be a possibility that there is lead paint in birdfeeders and bird baths, manufactured in China. If so, how do birds and animals react to lead?"
-- Submitted by Rosemary M., Raleigh, NC

Considering the recent publicity about high levels of lead in toys imported from China, you are wise to be concerned. A 2006 study from the University of Cincinnati determined that India, China and Malaysia produce consumer paints with dangerously high lead levels; these paints are used in a variety of products intended for export. The United States banned leaded paint in 1978 as it was linked to developmental problems in children. Lead paint affects birds and other wildlife as well. Burger and Gochfeld's 2000 study, published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, confirmed that even low-levels of lead affected growth, locomotion, balance, food begging, feeding, thermoregulation, depth perception, and individual recognition in birds. Young birds affected by lead may not recognize their siblings or parents due to impaired cognitive ability and tend to wander from their nests. Higher levels of lead can lead to death.

Paint issues aside, the wood China uses to construct bird houses as well as other products is a source of concern. China does not harvest its own forests for the majority of the products manufactured in that country. Russia, Malaysia and Indonesia are the three largest suppliers of timber to China. These countries have limited forest management, and much of the wood China uses is actually obtained illegally from threatened forests. The forests in Indonesia, in particular, are home to many species of birds which are threatened by the rampant deforestation. To ensure that wood products you buy are from reputable sources, look for Forest Stewardship Certified (FSC) wood. The concerned consumer should ask questions about the source of any wood product, such as furniture or paper, to make sure your purchase doesn't encourage the deforestation of threatened areas.