In
1974, Connecticut Audubon Society made its presence official
in Hartford by establishing an environmental affairs office
in the state’s capital. Connecticut
Audubon Society often takes a leadership role, working in
partnership with other environmental groups like National
Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, CT's Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP) and local and regional
conservation groups in the state and in the region.
We recognize the value of "pooled" resources and
working cooperatively often results in bigger accomplishments
and more successful outcomes for us all.
In 2006, Connecticut Audubon Society launched a new annual initiative called “Connecticut State of the Birds.” This was a first-of-its-kind report for the state and it focused on the single greatest threat to our native birds: habitat loss. As a result, an estimated 50% of Connecticut’s native bird species are declining and 17% are on the CT DEP's list of "Endangered," "Threatened" and "Special Concern" species. This means that 50 out of 290 regularly or annually occurring bird species in Connecticut are State-listed. Our 2006 report also contains our five specific, science-based recommendations for mitigating these threats and protecting Connecticut’s birds and habitats. In cooperation with the CT DEP, other State agencies and other conservation organizations, Connecticut Audubon Society is following through on all five recommendations and we are pleased to see that bird conservation in Connecticut is moving forward.
Our 2007 "Connecticut State of the Birds” Report described the next most serious set of threats to our native birds. These are specific factors, either man-made or within our control, that kill or injure millions of birds annually and destroy precious habitat. Just one of these, glass strikes, conservatively kills an estimated 100 million birds every year in the U.S. -- and some experts say 1 billion! Our just-released 2008 "Connecticut State of the Birds" Report, issued February 11, describes possible conservation strategies for six bird species that are in serious trouble -- and for which their Connecticut habitat is critical to their global survival -- to illustrate how complex the problems and solutions are related to habitat protection and bird conservation. These include the Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow (a state-listed “species of Special Concern”), the Blue-winged Warbler (a state-listed “Endangered” species), the Golden-winged Warbler, the American Oystercatcher (a state-listed “species of Special Concern”), the Cerulean Warbler, and the Bobolink (a state-listed “species of Special Concern”).
Click here to learn more about our "Connecticut State of the Birds" Initiative.
Keeping
environmental issues in front of state representatives is
an important part of our work. Connecticut
Audubon Society is first and foremost a champion of the
state's birds and their habitats -- which means promoting
all aspects of the natural environment.
For
more information contact:
Milan Bull,
Senior Director of Science and Conservation,
Editor-in-chief of "Connecticut State of the Birds and
Acting Director of Environmental Affairs
203-259-6305, ext. 111 or mbull@ctaudubon.org
Based on our "Connecticut State of the Birds" Initiative,
the following are Connecticut Audubon Society's
"Connecticut Bird & Habitat Conservation Priorities"
1. Preserve Grasslands
--Protect existing grasslands from development.
--Provide farmers with incentives to mow after the nesting season.
--Provide incentives to convert marginal cropland to grassland.
--Key Species: Meadowlark, Bobolink, Grasshopper Sparrow.
2. Manage Land to Create More Shrublands
--Actively manage public land to increase shrublands.
--Provide incentives to private landowners to create shrublands.
--Encourage utilities to maintain power line cuts as shrublands.
--Key Species: Blue-winged Warbler, Brown Thrasher, Towhee.
3. Protect Remaining Beach and Saltmarsh Habitats
--Actively prevent degradation of the limited existing habitat.
--Provide funds for policing during the nesting season.
--Use dredge spoil to create safe artificial nesting islands.
--Key Species: Oystercatcher, Least Tern, Sharp-tailed Sparrow.
4. Slow Forest Fragmentation and Stop Deer Overbrowsing
--Use land acquisition to preserve large blocks of unbroken forest.
--Reduce deer populations in impacted forests.
--Key Species: Scarlet Tanager, Ovenbird, Wood Thrush.
5. Limit Unnecessary Human Threats
--Eliminate feral cat colonies on public lands.
--Promote light awareness programs for major buildings.
--Establish guidelines for lighting on communications towers.
--Support controls on all invasive species.
--Key Species: All migratory and native species.
