Yellow-rumped Warbler: Sushanta Bhandarkar
The first-ever State of the World’s Migratory Species report was launched in February 2024 by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, a UN biodiversity treaty, at the opening of a major UN wildlife conservation conference (CMS COP14). Sadly, the report reveals that nearly half (44 per cent) of migratory species are showing population declines and more than one-in-five (22 per cent) are threatened with extinction. Our work, is more important than ever - and we need your help.
Spring brings with it the bird nesting season and also - a flurry of planning activities and important decisions that will impact birds and wildlife. As always, we are there to promote and protect birds in nature and in our urban environment.
Here is how you can help in your city and our county:
Mountain View
In Mountain View, we successfully advocated for a biodiversity strategy, which is now being developed for both open space and for the urban environment in the City. As part of this strategy, we have been advocating for a Dark Sky ordinance. The development of such ordinance is now on the list of items up for financial consideration at the next MV city council meeting March 5th.
Please consider sending an email TODAY or attending the meeting (in person or on zoom) and saying a few words to encourage Mountain View to make progress on its commitment to biodiversity improvement and to reducing light pollution. Both are important and intertwined! Click here for details on how to participate.
Palo Alto
Palo Alto is moving forward with several important ordinances:
An update to the City’s Stream Corridor Protection ordinance. Almost all birds and wildlife use riparian corridors at least for part of their life cycle and it is critically important to protect the creeks and their riparian ecosystems. Please consider attending a ZOOM Community Information Session on Tuesday, March 05, 2024, 06:00 PM to 07:00 PM. Here are the details on how to participate and links to additional information.
Bird Friendly Design and Dark Sky. Due to our advocacy efforts, the City of Palo Alto prioritized the development of Bird Friendly Design and Dark Sky ordinances in 2024. Unfortunately, the development of these ordinances received a very disappointing discussion at a recent Architectural Review Board (ARB) meeting. The general sentiment was that any rules should only apply primarily at the Baylands and the foothills. We need YOUR help to make Palo Alto safer for birds and the night environment healthier for all species, including people. If you are a subscriber to the Palo Alto weekly, please consider a short comment on this story.
In addition, please consider writing an email to the ARB to express your appreciation for birds everywhere in the city and the importance of keeping light at night to the places and times it is needed, and not overlighting our environment.
San Jose
The Pleasant Hills Golf Course site consists of 114-acres in east San José that was developed as a golf course in 1960. The course closed in 2004 and is now being proposed for residential and commercial development. The City of San José wants to hear from residents, business owners, and community members about their ideas for the site. You may participate in the community engagement process by Taking an online survey. For more information and to sign up for notifications, see HERE.
The City of San José is considering land use allowances on properties located on the east side of Monterey Road in Coyote Valley. A Baseline Assessment Report has recently been published. This is an important corridor along Coyote Creek, and we will let you know when opportunities for public engagement occur, stay tuned!
Off-Highway Vehicle Access Project
The Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Access Project is a state initiative lead by the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) to identify new opportunities for additional OHV facilities in California. In 2023, during the first phase of the project, we opposed opening Henry Coe State Park for future OHV facilities. Phase IIis starting and will include a preliminary report, feasibility study, and an OHV Recreation Action Plan for the site identified. We are looking for a volunteer to track the State’s Off-Highway Vehicle Access Project and let us know when opportunities to engage occur. You may sign up to receive project updates HERE.
Cupertino
Lehigh Cement Plant and Permanente Quarry
Please save the date of Wednesday, March 27 from 6:30pm-8:30pm for the Annual Lehigh Southwest Cement Plant and Permanente Quarry Public Meeting organized by Supervisor Simitian.
The meeting will be held at Cupertino Community Hall, 10350 Torre Avenue in Cupertino. Participants will hear an update from various oversight agencies and have the opportunity to ask questions about the quarry and cement plant located in the Cupertino foothills.
Finally...
Our Environmental Action Committee is looking for dedicated volunteers who are interested in tracking and participating in the above efforts and many more. Please contact advocate@scvas.org if you are interested in helping.