BirdReturns Fall 2017 Advancing Dynamic Conservation By Partnering - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

BirdReturns Fall 2017

Advancing Dynamic Conservation By Partnering with Rice Growers TNC Migratory Bird Initiative

June 6, 2017

Why are we here?

Thanks to NRCS, Audubon, Point Blue, CRC and TNC, WHEP is successful and the practices continue with RCPP Build on 4 years of successes and lessons learned Opportunity to refine program and respond to habitat needs

Program Goals

• Improve habitat conditions for waterbirds (esp. shorebirds)
• Support production of wildlife-friendly rice
• Be responsive to:
• Water availability
• Wildlife habitat needs
• Farm constraints and economics

The Pacific Flyway

State of the Birds 2014

50-80 M Waterfowl ? shorebirds 3-4 M Waterfowl >350K Shorebirds

California Migratory Waterbird Habitats

Importance of flooded rice fields

Elphick 2000

• 187 species of birds
• 28 special-status
• Globally significant habitat

for waterfowl, waders & shorebirds

Waterbird Species Diversity Waterbird Density

Shorebirds Flooded Rice Acres Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul

Expanding the time window

• f shorebird habitat in rice

Predictive models Birds & Water Pop-up wetlands Habitat auctions Save the birds!

BirdReturns

Importance of Shallow Water Habitat to Shorebirds

American Avocet Black-necked Stilt Dunlin Greater Yellowlegs Least Sandpiper Lesser Yellowlegs Long-billed Curlew Long-billed Dowitcher Western Sandpiper Whimbrel Wilson's Snipe Black-bellied Plover Killdeer

Importance of Shallow Water Depths: Bird Size

Importance of Shallow Water Depths to Shorebirds

Key Points for Fall 2017

• Emphasis on early habitat
• Shallow depths required – 4” or less
• 1-3” is ideal
• Minimal standing stubble, straw mixed with soil

http://www.birdreturns.org

Who is eligible?

• Rice growers
• Lands compatible with waterbirds
• No overlap with easement or other habitat program
• Minimum 25 acres per site
• No cap on participation
• Multiple bids permitted for different sites

Grower Requirements

Growers commit to:

• Post-harvest management to achieve required field

conditions

• Manage water to achieve required depth of 4” or less

by Day 1, and maintain throughout Program

• Allow access to site to facilitate:
• Inspection of field conditions (prior to enrollment)
• Monitoring water depth and bird use during enrollment

period, and monitoring bird use post-enrollment

Post-Harvest Straw & Soil Management

Required field conditions:

• Minimum standing

stubble/vegetation

• Straw incorporated into soil, not

removed from field

• Some exposed soil

Conditions typically achieved by:

• Disking, chiseling, or stomping

Fall 2017 Program Options

All program enrollments are four weeks: Option 1: August 18-September 14 Option 2: September 1-28 Option 3: September 15-October 12 Option 4: September 29-October 27

August

18-Aug 1-Sep 14-Sep 15-Sep 28-Sep 29-Sep 12-Oct 27-Oct

Option 2 (4 weeks) Option 4 (4 weeks) Option 1 (4-weeks) Option 3 (4 weeks) October September

Water Management

• Establish maximum of

4” by Day 1 and maintain throughout enrollment period

• Ideal 1-3”
• At least 75% of field

ponded

• Depth monitored with

depth stakes

Water Management

Good Field Conditions

Poor Field Conditions

Good Field Conditions

Poor Field Conditions

Good Field Conditions

Poor Field Conditions

Good Field Conditions

Poor Field Conditions

Good Field Conditions

Good Field Conditions

Submit a Bid

• New: Online bidding system!
• Bids due MONDAY, June 19 by 9 a.m.
• Bids should reflect additional costs to provide habitat
• TNC will select most competitive bids, and as many as

possible within budget constraints

Online Bidding

• On our website: http://www.birdreturns.org
• Can be saved and filled out at intervals
• Attach maps, and include field names or numbers
• You must go to the review page and hit “confirm”

before you are complete

Online Bidding: BirdReturns Website

• Go to “Participate”
• Select “Submit a Bid”

Attach a Map

You’re not complete at the Review button

Confirmation page

Hit confirm to complete

How TNC Will Select Bids

Selection Criteria

• Timing – Earlier

is better!

• Location
• Water access
• Cost

How TNC Will Select Bids

Program 2016 Acres Accepted

• Aug. 17-30

1,288 69%

• Sept. 1-14

972 67%

• Sept. 15-28

997 89%

• Oct. 1-14

1,158 19%

• Oct. 15-28

1,175 5%

Questions about the bid form?

• Today’s workshop
• Assistance sessions with Simon Avery at the

Colusa Library: TBA on BirdReturns website

• Request a paper copy at birds@tnc.org or call

Julia Barfield at (916) 449-2852

• On our website: http://www.birdreturns.org

In Summary

• June 19 at 9:00 AM: Application Deadline
• Submit a bid on our website: http://www.birdreturns.org
• Contact us at birds@tnc.org or (916) 449-2852
• Meet with us at Colusa Library: TBA week of June 12

Thank You