Thank you so much to all our supporters who spoke up last summer for greater protections for nesting seabirds at West Ski Island! We just released a blog post about this amazing advocacy and the vital support our community gave to this project. 

Some progress that the San Diego Bird Alliance has made:

We have shared interim guidance with Parks & Recreation regarding buffer zones for the island during nesting season, and enforcing Multiple Species Conservation Plan protections for Elegant terns in Mission Bay. We are hopeful that this guidance and plan will create a safer space for nesting come spring, but will continue monitoring W. Ski Island for disturbance. 

Additionally, the 2024 Bayfair event did occur without any environmental review, but the 2025 Bayfair event will be required to complete a Coastal Development Permit, as they have received exemptions from the Coastal Commission since 2000. We shared our concerns with commission staff and will continue advocating to ensure that this event is mitigating and preventing environmental impacts. 

Finally, our work is not yet done with fireworks, and our partners at San Diego Coastkeeper and CERF recently filed an intent to sue Seaworld over Clean Water Act violations from firework debris in Mission Bay. We are continuing to push on the obscene 150 yearly shows, and want your help to speak up against them! Share with your friends, family and community to sign this petition and show continued widespread support to end fireworks: for birds, people and the planet.