FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Sacramento, Calif.—May 29, 2025) – Conservationists and researchers from three nonprofits engaged in safeguarding California’s birds recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Conservation Partnership’s cornerstone program, BirdReturns, which works closely with wetland managers and farmers to provide much-needed habitat for shorebirds and waterbirds at a time when it is needed most. Since its launch in 2014, the partnership has worked with over 200 farmers and wetland managers to provide 180,000 acres of habitat.
California’s Central Valley is a critical hub for the Pacific Flyway, historically providing millions of acres of wetland habitat. But by 1984, more than 90% of that habitat had been eliminated as these wetlands were converted into the agricultural engine that the Central Valley is today. Recognizing that this loss threatened the hundreds of millions of shorebirds, waterfowl, and other waterbirds that move throughout the flyway each year, Audubon California, The Nature Conservancy and Point Blue Conservation Science joined together to pursue an idea that had never been taken to scale previously: providing funding to farmers and private wetland owners to provide water on their agricultural fields during peak migratory months.
“Over the years, we would occasionally see flocks of Long-billed Dowitcher, Long-billed Curlew, Northern Pintail and other birds using rice fields that still had water on them because there was nowhere else to go,” said Xerónimo Castañeda, working lands program director for Audubon California. “And that prompted people in the conservation world to consider working directly with these farmers to temporarily turn their farms into habitat during migration.”
The initial challenges facing the partnership were formidable. They needed to build trust with farmers and develop the practical knowledge of how to flood an agricultural field in a way that was actually useful for specific species of birds. Similarly, the team had to build an understanding of exactly when different species of shorebirds needed critical wetland habitat, and what type was required. Using this knowledge, the partnership launched a number of local/targeted programs, including with private wetland owners, but these were limited due to funding availability.
The Nature Conservancy piloted BirdReturns in 2014, creating a program brand to build recognition among participants and funders. During the drought in 2021, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife supported the partnership’s idea to scale BirdReturns across the entire Central Valley as well as in the Suisun Marsh. As the drought continued, the Department allocated $15 million for the partnership to grow the program to include additional geographies and seasons. A notable success has been to increase the value of private wetlands for a greater diversity of species, beyond just waterfowl.
“While technically the partnership is these three nonprofit organizations, in reality it also includes this growing network of farmers, private wetland managers, public agencies, philanthropic partners, and many others who are thrilled at how much life we’re bringing back into these areas,” said Julia Barfield, program manager for BirdReturns. “Together we’ve recreated so much of the habitat that these birds need to survive.”
“The field management practices that we’re asked to do are a perfect fit for what our fields need at that time of year,” said Kurt Richter, farmer and vice president of Richter Ag. “We’re not being asked to do anything outrageous. What we’re being asked to do are just good solid practices for our raw straw decomp that so happen to be perfect for the birds, too.”
“BirdReturns has helped our small duck club to pursue habitat improvement projects. The extra income from their programs is plowed into the property, which in turn benefits not only the shorebirds but the ducks as well,” said Rick Ramirez, landowner, Riverfield Duck Club in the San Joaquin Region.
One of the important successes of the Migratory Bird Conservation Partnership has been the development of a wide array of species-specific management practices in the field. Different species need water at specific moments in their migration, and there all sorts of things to consider, such as water depth and plant communities.
“It’s vital that when we’re using limited resources like water and a farmer’s time, that we come in with the expertise to ensure the biggest bang for our buck,” said Matthew Reiter, research director at Point Blue Conservation Science. “Moreover, all these practices that we’ve researched, documented, and tested in the field means that our work will have an impact far beyond the specific projects that we’ve implemented.”
The Migratory Bird Conservation Partnership was initially launched with funding from the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. Subsequent funding has been provided by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, and many others. Additional collaborators include the California Rice Commission, and the Delta Conservancy.
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Contact: Jason Howe, jason.howe@audubon.org
About Audubon:
The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, X and Instagram @audubonsociety.
About Point Blue:
Point Blue Conservation Science is a leader in climate-smart conservation, with 160 conservation professionals working to reduce the impacts of climate change, habitat loss, and other environmental threats through nature-based solutions that benefit wildlife and people. The organization collaborates with land and water managers, fishermen, ranchers, farmers, government agencies, and others to advance the conservation of birds, other wildlife, and ecosystems through science, partnership, and outreach. From the Sierra to the sea, across the Western Hemisphere and as far as Antarctica, Point Blue is preparing for the environmental challenges ahead. In 2025, the organization celebrates 60 years of impact and a bold new direction: Connected Conservation. Learn more at www.pointblue.org.
About The Nature Conservancy:
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 81 countries and territories (40 by direct conservation impact and 41 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org.