2014 WETLAND CONSERVATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Last year, CWA's wetland biologists were very busy. We completed 75 habitat improvement projects and spent over $6 million on the ground. Nearly 15,000 acres and countless waterfowl benefited from CWA's field work.

 

Many projects were restored or enhanced on public wildlife areas and refuges, including:

  • Grizzly Island Wildlife Area
  • Grizzly Island Wildlife Area, Crescent Unit
  • Upper Butte Basin WA, Little Dry Creek
  • Upper Butte Basin WA, Howard Slough
  • Los Banos WA
  • Wister WA
  • Gray Lodge WA
  • Mendota WA
  • Ash Creek WA
  • North Grasslands WA
  • Yolo Bypass WA
  • Tule Lake NWR
  • Kern NWR
  • Modoc NWR

Project partners included several state and federal agencies and many private foundations and donors. None of this could have been done without the support of our growing membership base, so Thank YOU!

"FIRST 30" 5-DAY CAMP SPECIAL

The first 30 campers to sign up for CWA's 5-day summer camps (level 1 or level 2)  will be entered into a drawing for a FREE hunt at Grizzly Ranch during the 2015-16 waterfowl season.  The winner will also be able to bring a parent or chaperone on the hunt with them.  There are four 5-day camps scheduled in June and July, register now for 5-day camps at www.calwaterfowl.org/calendar.

 

PINTAIL BANDING CREW WRAPS UP SAC VALLEY

CWA's Post Season Pintail banding crew had one last capture event last week netting an additional 159 Pintail and two new recaptures.  We had six volunteers providing invaluable help including three from The Nature Conservancy, two DFW employees from the Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area and one of our district managers from the California Wood Duck Program.  This brought our total pintail number up to 920 birds for the sac valley with only seven capture and band events!  The Sacramento valley totals also include 11 green wing teal, seven American widgeon, five mallards, three gadwall, and nine recaptured pintail that were previously banded.  The banding crew has moved on to the Klamath basin where they will continue banding for a few more weeks.

DEADLINE FOR YOUTH TURKEY HUNTS COMING UP

California Waterfowl's fall hunt program has passed and now our spring hunt program is getting underway!  Look for spring turkey and pig hunts, spanning from Redding to King City, CA. These hunts include opportunities for youth, families, and general applicants.  All opportunities are guided or semi-guided, so they are great for the new or seasoned turkey or pig hunters. Youth turkey hunting begins March 21-22, and then the general season opens March 28. Deadline for the youth turkey opening weekend is THIS Saturday, March 5th.

 

Click here to sign up today!

CWA SPONSORS STATE BILLS TO PROTECT HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES, REDUCE REGULATIONS

Two members of the California Legislature Outdoor Sporting Caucus, Assembly Member Jim Frazier (D-Oakley) and Senator Tom Berryhill (R-Modesto), are partnering with CWA on legislation in 2015.

 

AB 665 (Frazier) would keep local governments from interfering with hunting activities.  The legislation is in response to efforts by some cities, counties and regional park districts to enforce their own weapons discharge and other ordinances in an effort to ban waterfowl hunting, particularly on public waterways in the Bay Area. 

 

This local regulation not only unnecessarily reduces hunting opportunities, but undermines the statewide, science-based administration of fish and game laws.  In addition, it creates significant enforcement issues.

 

"AB 665 will help ensure that our hunting and fishing rules are based on sound science and empirical evidence, and not emotion or irrational fear," stated Assembly Member Frazier.  "Regulations impacting the taking of fish and game are best handled through the California Fish and Game Commission's regulatory process."

 

SB 615 (Berryhill), as proposed to be amended, would reduce costs and monitoring requirements on managed wetlands as provided under the State Water Board's Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program.

 

Participation in this program diverts scarce funding away from other necessary wetland management activities, even though managed wetlands do not discharge many of the constituents of concern under the program.  This bill would provide a conditional waiver for managed wetlands.

 

"Senate Bill 615 is about reducing the regulatory burdens on duck clubs and other wetland properties, so that they can focus their time and resources on providing critical habitat to waterfowl and other species and not bureaucratic red tape.  Private landowners own two-thirds of California's remaining wetlands.  We should provide every incentive for these landowners to maintain that habitat.  I am confident that my legislative colleagues will see the benefit this bill brings to California's wetlands," said Senator Berryhill.

 

The first legislative hearings on AB 665 and SB 615 will likely be in April. 


May
15th-17th

Rancho Esquon Youth Hunter Camp
EVENTS CALENDAR
MAR 6
Madera CWA Dinner
MAR 6
Contra Costa Crab Feed
MAR 7
Prunedale Barbeque
MAR 7
Redding Chapter Banquet
MAR 19
East Bay Dinner
MAR 21
Dixon CWA Dinner
MAR 21
Bishop Dinner
MAR 21
Guns & Hoses Dinner
MAR 24
Mid-Pen Wild Game Feed
MAR 26
Marin CWA Dinner
MAR 27
El Dorado County Banquet
MAR 28
North Delta Dinner
MAR 31
Brentwood-East County Spring Fling
 

CORPORATE PARTNERS 


Federal Black Cloud



California Waterfowl  is an award-winning 501(C)(3) nonprofit, hunter-supported conservation organization with a mission to conserve the state's waterfowl, wetlands, and hunting heritage.  In the last 20+ years, we've completed more than 1,300 individual projects to protect, restore, and enhance more than 465,000 acres, providing habitat for millions of birds and animals.  Our Wood Duck Program has hatched more than 716,000 ducklings, while our Banding Programs have marked nearly 250,000 birds.  Our Youth and Education Programs have reached more than 300,000 children, young adults, and families to help to create a better understanding of biology, conservation, and outdoor heritage.  All efforts are supported largely by donations and the work of nearly 1,500 dedicated and tireless members and volunteers.

 

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Conserving California's Waterfowl, Wetlands and Hunting Heritage