We are deeply concerned about the recent removal of swallow nests from the community building at Rancho San Ramon Community Park. We understand that the city has a responsibility to maintain its buildings and facilities, but we believe that this action was both unnecessary and harmful to our local ecosystem.

Cliff swallows have attempted to nest at the same spot on the community building at Rancho San Ramon Community Park on multiple occasions, indicating a strong preference for this location. These birds are an important species in our community, providing valuable pest control and contributing to the biodiversity of our local environment. We believe that it was possible to find a more humane solution than simply destroying their nests.

Furthermore, we want to bring to your attention that the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and the California Fish and Game Code prohibit the harming or removal of nests, eggs, or young of migratory birds such as cliff swallows. We urge the city to abide by these laws and take immediate action to address this issue by:

1. Offering the cliff swallows an alternative nesting site, such as swallow boxes or other suitable structures, to minimize the impact of future construction or maintenance projects.
2. Implementing policies and procedures that prioritize the protection of local wildlife, including the cliff swallows and other bird species that call our community home.
3. Ensuring that any future projects are designed with the needs of local wildlife in mind, and that the impact on the environment is carefully considered before taking any action.

We believe that these steps are necessary to ensure that our community remains a welcoming and sustainable environment for all of its inhabitants, both human and non-human.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.