Here's the update on the petition in support of Swainson's Hawk protection and a request that you share with friends.
Today a friend reminded me that this petition is not about one hawk species. It's about our California environment and what we have to do to protect it.
Swainson's Hawks' legal protections mean that for every acre of habitat paved over, the builder must permanently preserve a like acre of farmland habitat. Without this legal requirement, conservation of farmland will be seriously diminished in California. If the Building Industry succeeds in delisting Swainson's Hawks, we will lose a very important conservation measure.
The farmland that supports Swainson's Hawk nesting and foraging also supports us and helps protect air quality, ground water recharge, flood control, and more. This farmland is essential to the Pacific Flyway, supporting migratory birds, and to biodiversity. Recently an environmental scientist did a study for us of 450 acres of farmland proposed for mega warehouses. In one 3 hour field trip in May, two scientists found 48 vertebrate species, including seven with legal protections.
So let's pull together on this petition. Over 670 signatures are in, and 52 people have donated over $1,000 to change.org to promote the petition. We can all do more to reach out. Change.org recommends texting friends with the link and your personal message on why you signed.
If you have questions or concerns, email us at friendsoftheswainsonshawk@gmail.com.
Want to know more -- check out our blog.
https://www.swainsonshawk.org/blog