It’s been a challenging summer for all of us with Covid and the fires, but I hope you’ve managed to do some birding close to home. I’ve had fun photographing warblers in my yard.
So much has happened since our last newsletter in early May. Good news on the national front was the passage of the Great America Outdoors Act in July and the judge’s ruling to protect the Migratory Bird Treaty Act from being weakened by the current administration in August. And just this week the California Legislature passed AB1788, a bill to better regulate rodenticides in order to minimize harm to raptors, as well as other wildlife and pets.
Yolo Audubon is working to adjust to the realities of a Covid world. We decided at our August board meeting not to offer field trips until we are more confident it can be done safely. We are, however, planning to have all of our guest speaker presentations on Zoom. (Details for our September presentation are here.) We are also planning to offer some other virtual programs–beginning Sunday, September 13th with Alison Kent’s nature journaling workshop.
I want to finish by quoting from David Yarnold’s June message to the National Audubon Society staff after George Floyd’s death:
Black lives matter. Our nation is in turmoil because our governments, our institutions (including Audubon), and private individuals haven’t done nearly enough to act on that fundamental truth.
David Yarnold, President and CEO, National Audubon Society
He goes on to talk about what Audubon can do to combat racism. Please click here to read the complete letter. On the same page you’ll find three compelling articles written by black birders. I encourage you to take the time to read them. In this time of racial unrest, it’s important to stay engaged.
Please don’t forget to renew your Yolo Audubon annual membership or join for the first time here. We’re grateful for your support!
Ann Brice, President, Yolo Audubon Society