Audubon Society Achieves Significant Water Conservation Gains Amid Chronic Drought

Strategic Insights -

Facing a persistent multi-decade chronic drought in the West, the National Audubon Society made substantial strides in improving water security and the health of bird habitats in 2022. Climate change has intensified drought, leading to plummeting water levels, affecting water supplies, and habitats. To address this, Audubon worked extensively across the West and in Washington, D.C. to ensure water conservation efforts have lasting impacts.

Key Takeaways:

  • Water Flows in the Colorado River Delta Again: Binational collaboration between Mexico and the United States resulted in the Colorado River flowing in its delta, providing a lifeline for one of North America's most productive bird habitats.
  • Surprise Bird-Rich Wetlands Emerge on Shrinking Salton Sea: Conservationists discovered over 6,700 acres of emerging wetlands, including bird sanctuaries like the Bombay Beach wetlands, where species like American Avocet and Common Yellowthroat have been spotted.
  • Improvements in Water Policy: Audubon secured significant policy changes in state houses and the U.S. Capitol, addressing the complex and challenging issues of water policy in the West.
  • Generational Advancements in Great Salt Lake and Utah Water Policies: This year's Utah Legislative Session resulted in generational investments and policy changes, including measures to reduce water consumption rates, create flexible water-sharing approaches, and recognize the role of the natural environment in the water cycle.
  • New Policies to Protect Water in Colorado: Audubon helped secure the Wildfire Prevention Watershed Restoration Funding Bill, which passed with $20 million to restore watershed resilience, and testified in support of Colorado's newly passed turf replacement program.
  • Significant Public Funding for Water Priorities: Audubon led the way in securing significant investments for Western Water priorities, including $440 million for Arizona water conservation.
  • Groundbreaking Funding for Climate Resilience and Megadrought in the West: Audubon and its partners helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act, providing billions of dollars for bird and human resilience in the face of climate change, including $4 billion for drought resilience in the West.
  • Audubon Member and Volunteer Engagement: The society's members and volunteers played a crucial role in advocating for water policies, conducting bird surveys, and supporting wetland conservation efforts.
  • Regional Shorebird Surveys: Volunteers, biologists, and state and federal staff worked together to count migrating shorebirds in a massive mobilization that will help fill gaps in data relating to shorebirds and their habitats.

Statistics:

  • The Colorado River Delta saw water flows from May to September 2022.
  • Over 6,700 acres of wetlands emerged on the shrinking Salton Sea.
  • The Utah Legislative Session resulted in generational investments and policy changes.
  • $440 million was secured for Arizona water conservation.
  • $4 billion was allocated for drought resilience in the West through the Inflation Reduction Act.
  • 3,400 petition signatures and 440 free responses supported protection of Colorado's rivers in the Colorado Water Plan update.

Sources:

  • National Audubon Society
  • Karyn Stockdale
  • The Colorado River Delta
  • The Salton Sea
  • Utah Legislative Session
  • The Inflation Reduction Act
  • Point Blue Conservation Science
  • Western Water Network grants
  • Arizona State University's Sun Devil Audubon campus chapter
  • Colorado Water Plan update