AUDUBON CA – SOCAL MEETING AGENDA 01/17/2015

SOUTHERN COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA Hosted by the San Fernando Valley Audubon Society

Saturday, January 17, 2015 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. The Japanese Garden Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, 6100 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406 **Please brown bag it and bring your own lunch**

ATTENDEES:

Rosemary Leibowitz – San Fernando Valley Audubon Heather Medvitz – San Fernando Valley Audubon Dave Weeshoff – San Fernando Valley Audubon Mark Osokow – San Fernando Valley Audubon Jim Houghton – San Fernando Valley Audubon Kris Ohlenkamp – San Fernando Valley Audubon Ellen Vahan – Santa Monica Bay Audubon Chuck Almdale – Santa Monica Bay Audubon David Quadhamer – Palos Verdes/South Bay Audubon Carolyn Vance – El Dorado Audubon Eva Lydick – Laguna Hills Audubon Drew Feldman – San Bernardino Valley Audubon Vic Leipzig – Sea & Sage Audubon Bruce Aird – Sea & Sage Audubon Janet & Al Baumann – Sea & Sage Audubon Garry George – Los Angeles Audubon & Audubon CA Travis Abeyta – Audubon CA

1

AUDUBON CA – SOCAL MEETING AGENDA 01/17/2015

AGENDA:

8:00 am BIRD WALK (OPTIONAL)

9:00 am INTRODUCTIONS AND FINALIZATION OF AGENDA

Garry George called the meeting to order. Garry introduced Travis Abeyta as the new Chapter Network Manager for . Travis gave a PowerPoint presentation to the group that explained his role as a Chapter Network Manager. The PowerPoint has been posted online at http://ca.audubon.org/documents/what-chapter-network-manager2015.

9:15 am SWAINSON’S HAWK IN ANTELOPE VALLEY & GREATER SAGE GROUSE LEK ACCESS POLICY AND VIEWING GUIDELINES IN EASTERN SIERRA

Garry George gave a PowerPoint presentation which detailed the positive impacts for Swainson’s hawks that Audubon CA and local chapters have made in the Antelope Valley IBA. Highlights are listed below.

- There is a special/distinct population of approximately 14 hawks in the Antelope Valley. - Audubon CA has developed a partnership with San Fernando Valley Audubon, Kern Audubon, and Kerncrest Audubon to preserve the population. - California Fish and Wildlife Service have a document that outlines the protocol that must be followed to analyze how close the birds are nesting or foraging to the project and if mitigation is required. The document can be found at - The strategy that is being used to protect the Swainson’s hawks is to have mitigation plans for farmlands and natural lands for Swainson’s hawk foraging and nesting. - An example of a project, is Warren Buffet’s solar farm in the Antelope Valley. Audubon CA wrote comments to Kern County which lead to 3,750 acres of mitigation in permanent conservation for Swainson’s hawks. The mitigation process is still ongoing. One property at Portal Ridge has already been protected in perpetuity by the property owner and the Transition Habitat Conservancy (1,700 acres). - Garry also briefly commented on the Rosamond solar project and the IVANPAH solar project. He has data on the IVANPAH project if anyone would like to see it. USGS will have an independent report out on their findings for the IVANPAH project next month.

Garry also discussed the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s new policy regarding access to its land in the Eastern Sierra for viewing Greater sage grouse.

- This policy includes seasonal public access restrictions, viewing permit information and viewing guidelines to protect the birds and their habitat. - The Eastern Sierra Audubon Society chapter had a major part in developing the policy.

2

AUDUBON CA – SOCAL MEETING AGENDA 01/17/2015

- An email with the policy will be sent to chapter leaders and can also be found on the Audubon California website at http://ca.audubon.org/sites/default/files/documents/sage_grouse_lek_viewing_policy.pdf.

9:30 am AUDUBON CLIMATE WORK & CHAPTERS IN SOCAL

Dave Weeshoff gave a PowerPoint presentation on Audubon’s climate initiative and the current “Spread the Word” campaign. Highlights are below. There is a multitude of materials available that talk about climate change and birds which can be accessed by all chapters.

- Out of 588 birds studied some 313 will be seriously impacted assuming that the models forecast correctly. - Dave explained how the climate models about the ranges were developed and how they can be effectively used to protect birds and their habitats in the future. - The first 2 years is Audubon’s “Spread the Word” campaign which targets chapters and the membership concerning what we can do to support, expand, and accelerate past and current conservation efforts to include/address the concerns of climate change. We must be proactive in securing the future climate strongholds that will support threatened bird species. - One of the best ways to make some political action for areas that need legislation for energy or reducing emissions is to address the issue by putting it in the framework of birds rather than engage in whether climate change is anthropogenic, a Democratic or Republican issue, etc. - Dave recommended that chapters designate an individual to serve as a Climate Change Chair of sorts who stays up-to-date on science, news, Audubon actions, etc.

Detailed species range maps and further information on the impacts of climate change is available online on the National Audubon Climate Report website at http://climate.audubon.org/.

The online GIS maps can actually be modified to suit each chapter’s needs, region, etc. Further information on the GIS maps can be found online on Audubon Works at https://works.audubon.org/resources/mapping-tools. You will need to have registered for an account in order to sign in to Audubon Works. Instructions for registering for an account in Audubon Works are as follows:

1. Go to https://works.audubon.org and click the green "Register" button.

2. Create an account with your email address and password. NOTE: If you already have an Audubon account, for instance to access the Chapter Reporting System or CBC Compiler Site, and know your password, please use the same password. If you don't know that

3

AUDUBON CA – SOCAL MEETING AGENDA 01/17/2015

password, you will be prompted to reset it when you register for Works, and the new password will become your password for all Audubon applications.

3. When prompted, enter the registration code “worksAvocet”.

11:00 am AUDUBON CALIFORNIA REPORT

Vic Leipzig, our representative on the Audubon California Board, reported out on information presented at the most recent Audubon California board meeting (December 2014). In the meeting/conference call, they spoke about how the financial future looks much better than expected. Audubon CA intends to attempt to diversify its income stream by doing more recruiting of funding from individual donors. To do this they have added a large amount of development staff. Chapter outreach is the other large block of expansion for Audubon CA which includes the hiring of the Chapter Network Managers. Additional items discussed included:

- Audubon CA is very proud of the passage of Prop 1 (water bond). - Audubon CA will take a lead role at the science level to protect the Califonia Gnatcatcher - Next Board Meeting is February 26-27 which will include an all day tour of the Salton Sea IBA. Very important meeting which will most likely center around the pressing issues at the Salton Sea. For more information on the Salton Sea’s deterioration you can read the Pacific Institute’s report at http://pacinst.org/publication/hazards-toll/.

Vic also reminded chapters that he is their representative on the Board and that they should contact him if they have an issue to bring to the Board ([email protected]).

11:30 am CHAPTER REPORTS

Each chapter leader provided a brief update on their chapter’s activities as listed below.

El Dorado

Primarily concerned with Seal Beach and Los Cerritos Wetlands IBAs. CHAPTER PARTNERSHIP EXAMPLE - They partnered with Audubon CA, Sea & Sage Audubon, and Pasadena Audubon for a grant that is funding the Los Cerritos Wetlands Assessment of the Conceptual Restoration Plan. The assessment is being done by Dan Cooper and Robb Hamilton; the 1st draft just came out. One of the most important ways chapters can help protect the wetlands is to publicize El Dorado’s once-a-month field trips onto the public property. Please reach out to Mary Parsell, Conservation Chair for more information, [email protected] or 562/252-5825.

4

AUDUBON CA – SOCAL MEETING AGENDA 01/17/2015

One of Carolyn’s missions as president is to increase their outreach events. They have 16 cities in service area. One way they are going to do this is to train with www.flyingwild.org to expand the El Dorado Nature Center’s outreach event for this year’s International Migratory Bird Day.

Palos Verdes/South Bay

Working on a partnership with Rolling Hills Prep School on Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly Reserve. Students will do all the work and the blue butterfly will be rolled into the school’s curriculum. The 10 acre property would go to the school. Conservation Awards Dinner was held in October

Santa Monica Bay

Discontinued newsletter in 2009 and started a blog that also serves as their website On their website is an extensive amount of data on the 2012-13 Malibu Lagoon project. Also you can find a large list and map of birding spots in Los Angeles on their site at https://smbasblog.wordpress.com/los-angeles-county-birding-spots/. Have conducted Snowy Plover counts for many years (Lu Plauzoles). Got a large bequest last year which went to various deserving individuals/places such as education grants, student conservation association, and 10-year bus grant for Ballona Education project which is a partnership with Los Angeles Audubon. Have been involved and supported Butterbredt Ranch for many years. CHAPTER PARTNERSHIP EXAMPLE - Santa Monica Bay Audubon, San Fernando Valley Audubon, and Conejo Valley Audubon worked together with the to put on Bird Fest at the National Park Visitor Center for the Santa Monica Mountains at King Gillette Ranch. The event had 900 attendees which was the largest attendance of any event held at the location.

San Fernando Valley

UPCOMING DATE - May 2, 2015 – Bird LA Day – Chapters, members, and the public will go out to any and all non-profits in LA County and put together a media blitz that May 2 is Bird LA day. They will also give the non-profits a list of participants and what they are going to be doing for birds. (Susan Gottlieb is spearheading/funding the effort). Stay tuned for more information from Dave Weeshoff. The chapter has accumulated a large amount of money and are in the process of trying to decide what to do with the money. They have a few different energized groups meeting to discuss the issue. Ideas they have include: o Nature center

5

AUDUBON CA – SOCAL MEETING AGENDA 01/17/2015

o Bird mobile o Programs at Hansen Dam to conduct bird walks, field trips, etc. o Crowd funding of bird education programs and projects for schools using the website www.donorschoose.org. Teachers post requests of what they need and donors send funding. Have reached out to the organization and they do have outreach channels to institute bird friendly projects. For further information you can contact Jim Houghton ([email protected]). Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Preserve – Have worked intently on protection and restoration of the preserve which is owned and administered by Army of Corps of Engineers who consider it a flood control basin. Making progress on many fronts including an issue they had with the Corps in regards to the removal of native plants. Santa Susana Field Laboratory – Area owned by Boeing Corporation and NASA. Chemical/radioactive contamination occurred at the site and the worry is that the cleanup will destroy critical habitat and put pressure on the San Fernando Valley’s infrastructure (trucks). Mark has volunteered to organize and lead a bird walk for Audubon members and chapters at Santa Susana Field Laboratory (details TBD). Mormon Canyon – Fighting and trying to create awareness for a proposed housing development, Hidden Creek Estates, which will destroy critical habitat. o Drew from San Bernardino Valley Audubon recommended retaining litigation and putting in a call to the Center for Biological Diversity (Adam Keats) who can possibly offer aid. o A draft EIR for the project can be found at http://cityplanning.lacity.org/eir/HiddenCreekEstates/DEIR/TOC.html

Sea & Sage

Currently experiencing a serious chapter issue which most chapters are currently experiencing or will most likely be of concern in the future - a key member of their board has issues that have taken her away from the chapter. They have learned some valuable lessons from this: o Developed a process by which all chapter leaders can upload important documents to a centralized location (cloud) – Contact Vic for logistics on Cloud. o Cross training board members/committee chairs to diffuse information. o Creating succession plans for key board members NEW CLIMATE CHANGE PROJECT - Working on a bird phenology pilot project in partnership with Audubon California’s Starr Ranch Reserve spearheaded by Sandy DiSimone. The project will involve volunteers going to San Joaquin Valley Sanctuary on a weekly basis to observe and record the seasonal patterns and behaviors of migratory and non-migratory bird

6

AUDUBON CA – SOCAL MEETING AGENDA 01/17/2015

species. This data will be accumulated in a database to see if there is perceivable change due to climate change. This project will hopefully be made available to all chapters in the future. Conservation projects include: o Los Cerritos Wetlands (Orange Coast Wetlands IBA) o Fighting three residential development projects around the State Park (Would like to partner with Whittier Audubon on fighting these projects) o Fighting Coyote Hills development by the Chevron Corporation o Banning Ranch development UPCOMING EVENT - Chapter holds a 4th Tuesday Conservation Lecture Series. On Tuesday, January 27th at 7pm, Andrea Jones and Sandy DiSimone from Audubon CA will be speaking about climate change.

Laguna Hills

Very small chapter (3 zip codes with no IBAs) They do not offer education programs but can get more involved in advocacy They also offer bird walks which are quite frequently attended by Sea & Sage chapter members who they have a great working relationship with.

San Bernardino Valley

Very litigious chapter but currently only have 3 active cases. Cadiz Dry Lake Project – Concern is that agencies pumping water from the lake have said the natural recharge is much higher than it actually is. CHAPTER PARTNERSHIP EXAMPLE - Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan – Audubon CA, San Diego Audubon, and San Bernardino Valley Audubon have partnered together to comment on the plan. San Jacinto Valley IBA – Audubon CA received a grant to write a conservation plan for the IBA (Dan Cooper). Major issues that the plan addresses are the development of a massive warehouse (World Logistics Center) and residential housing projects. Next steps are in the planning process. o An idea suggested by Vic Leipzig is advocating to move the warehouse closer to the port and into a community that is in more of a need for jobs. Drew is going to look into this alternative. o The South Coast Air Management District has written a strongly worded letter in opposition to the warehouse. Tri colored blackbirds – Received grants from Audubon CA to enhance habitat in San Timoteo Creek and in Newbury Springs.

7

AUDUBON CA – SOCAL MEETING AGENDA 01/17/2015

Los Angeles

#1 focus for the chapter is its education programs in Baldwin Hills, Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, The Annenberg Foundation has withdrawn agreement with CFW to have a wildlife center at Ballona. Snowy Plover Program has been extended another 2 years (6 years running). Grant from USFWS includes a partnership with Sea & Sage where they can have paid biologists working on Snowy Plover programs. The wildlife agencies are interested in looking at instituting the same rigorous monitoring programs in Orange County (SMBAS, PVSBA territories) Monitoring of CA Least Tern on Venice beach continues including crow predation studies One of their biologists has been bringing high school kids into the Snowy Plover colonies to perform beach restoration work. Also have Toyota TogetherGreen grant that supported this effort and attracts a large amount of volunteers. Have 6 or 8 employees on staff, mostly in education

2:00 pm ADJOURN

IMPORTANT DATES:

March 11, 2015 - Audubon CA Legislative Day in Sacramento (Details have been sent to chapter leaders by Audubon CA) April 25, 2015 - SoCal Council Meeting (Hosted by San Bernardino Audubon at ) July 18, 2015 - SoCal Council Meeting (Need a Chapter to host the meeting) October 17, 2015 - SoCal Council Meeting (Need a Chapter to host the meeting)

Please let Travis ([email protected]) know if you are willing to host one of these upcoming meetings. Information for upcoming council meetings can be found on the Audubon CA website at http://ca.audubon.org/southern-california-council.

8