Vol. 5, Issue I The Official Newsletter a/SAVE (Spoonbill Action VOluntary Echo) International Winter 2002 Spoonbills Speak ~~ . echoes across the Pacific i\'-~ If"~\.' spoonbill@uclink4,berkeley,edu www,earthisiand,org/save

NEXT STOP, KOREA CONGRATULATIONS MAGISTRATE SU In September SAVE Under the watchful eyes of black-faced spoonbill lovers International's spoonbill everywhere, legislator Su Huan-chih has won the election expert, Malcolm Coulter, for Tainan County Magistrate. In the December 1st traveled to South Korea to election, Su was the only one ofthree candidates to oppose participate in an inter­ the Binnan Industrial Complex, which would have national conference on the devastating impacts on the habitat ofthe endangered black­ future of the black-faced faced spoonbill. In stark contrast, Su proposed a national spoonbill in Korea. This scenic area for the site. The election brought the on-going marks an important starting debate to the forefront once again and the result may be a point for SAVE's expanded significant indication of current local opinion on Binnan. mission to take on the entire In a hard-fought election due to an openly estranged flyway. Coulter and rep­ relationship with predecessor Tainan County Magistrate resentatives from Japan, Mark Chen, Su got the fmal victory. Between the 30 rural Adult spoonbill and chick at Hong Kong, and Taiwan met Korean breeding grounds with Korean researchers, administrative divisions, Su won 23, including the focal point of the Binnan project-Chiku. In the fmal tally, Su came conservationists and government officials to share out 30,000 votes ahead ofhis major competitor. information and work on habitat protection strategies. After the election, Su announced that he will advance his Since the low numbers of the early 1980s the spoonbill alternative plan to tum the industrial complex site into a count in Korea has been increasing. Some believe this national scenic area which will also provide 30,000 jobs. may be the effect of a slow recovery after the end of The election result is inspiring news to SAVE members, the Korean War. However, development and politics who would like to extend a hearty congratulations to are exerting pressure on the black-faced spoonbill, which Magistrate Su! counts on Korea for breeding grounds and migration stops. Some of the most important habitat areas are in SPOONBILLS RETURN TO BERKELEY or near the Demilitarized Zone, which consists of an expansive but fragile system On October 9th the campus of mudflats and sensitive community welcomed the islands where the birds return of over 150 black­ breed. Major land reclam­ faced spoonbills in their fifth ation work and the new annual migration to Berkeley Incheon airport could pose as part ofED-1 : Intrduction Students and spectators watch major threats to the spoonbill to Environmental Design the awards ceremony in Korea. Much like its past taught by Kari Holmgren. Over 150 birds, of all sizes and work in Taiwan, SAVE shapes, colors and combinations adorned the lawn in front hopes to work together with of Kroeber Hall. Some familiar creations were seen - our new conservation spoonbills made out ofwhite plastic spoons, birds made out contacts to target specific of chicken wire, and abstract creations that caught so threats and offer a sustain- Spoonbill family in Korea beautifully the grace and personality of our favorite bird. able alternative in Korea. The fall appearance at Berkeley, as part ofED-1, coincides with the bird's actual migration back SAVE UPDATE to its wintering grounds in Chiku Spoonbills to Travel the World lagoon in Taiwan. The event is a According to a source with the Ministry ofF oreign Affairs, celebration and reminds us all ofthe the black-faced spoonbill will become the main figure on beauty ofthis species, the fragility of the new version ofthe Taiwanese Passport. There will be its existence and the continuing vigil we 44 different photos of black-faced spoonbills as the all need to make to ensure its future. background for each passport page. The photos will be The bird sculptures were juried by a donated by a local eco-photographer from Chiku. panel of experts and awards made Don't Forget to Vote! in a variety of categories including the bird with the clearest view ofthe A crowd favorite SAVE International has endorsed Prop 40, The California future city, the most politically powerful bird, the funniest Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and bird, and the bird with the most accurate and expressive Coastal Protection Act. The latest in a long line ofCalifornia spoonbill gesture. There was also a People's Choice Award park bond acts dating back to the 1920s, this $2.6 billion which received a lot ofvotes from students and spectators­ will be used to improve habitat for wildlife, including this year two birds tied for first place. shorebirds, waterfowl, and the endangered California clapper rail and salt marsh harvest mouse. If you live in SAVE was present for the entire day selling cookies and California, don't forget to vote "yes" on March 5th! t-shirts to raise money and distributing information to interested passersby. About 20 of the spoonbills were donated by the students and will be auctioned offat the spring HELLO FROM CHI-CHAO THE SPOONBILL SAVE Auction----d.etails to be annOlmced in a future newsletter. Hi guys! SAVE: IT'S A "GOOD THING" Wow, Chiku is really hoppin' this year. People SAVE International has received the first-ever "Little have been corning from all over to see us ... Engine That Could" award from GoodThings, Inc. Chosen kind of makes me feel important! as one of25 honorees in "Favorite GoodThings of2001," On my trip back here this fall I stopped by where some of SAVE was honored for its work to protect the black-faced your new friends are working. It's great to have friends all spoonbill. Selections resulted from reader nominations over the flyway because it's a long trip and a bird's gotta submitted to www.goodthings.com. an online newsletter rest, you know? Maybe I' ll see you in Korea on the way that focuses on positive and creative ideas. In its recognition back north ... you never know. Take care. the magazine said "SAVE conflrms late anthropologist Margaret Mead's prescient words: 'Never doubt that a small Love, Your Friend, Chi-chao. group ofthoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.'"

SAVE International University of California, Berkeley Dept. of Landscape Arcbitecture & Environmental Planning 202 Wurster Hall Berkeley, CA, 94720