Urban Bird Foundation is a United States-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2008 by Scott Artis[1][2][3] with a mission to "protect, defend, rescue and conserve bird life" in and adjacent to urban and suburban areas.[4][5] Formerly named the Burrowing Owl Conservation Network, having changed its name in October 2013,[6][7][8] it was dedicated to "the protection and restoration of burrowing owls and promoting the preservation and careful management of habitat to prevent loss, foster healthy populations, and maintain intact natural communities for an ecologically sound future."[9][10] The organization is active in California political intervention aimed at burrowing owl protection, and fundraising used for conservation, education and outreach, raptor research, and advocacy.[11][12] The organization's efforts include habitat protection, ecosystem restoration, collaborations with private lands owners, government agencies and non-profit organizations, and installation of artificial burrows.[13][14]
 | |
| Founded | 2008 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Scott Artis |
| Type | 501(c)(3) non-profit organization |
| 83-0675132 | |
| Focus | Burrowing owl, native birds, habitat and wildlife conservation |
| Location | |
Area served | United States |
| Method | Conservation, ecosystem restoration, education, research, collaboration, outreach |
| Website | UrbanBird.org |
Formerly called | Burrowing Owl Conservation Network |
The organization was originally named "Friends of East Bay Owls" and its mission was focused on protecting burrowing owls and habitat in East Bay.[9][15] The organization's mission and work has expanded throughout California and North America.[9] The organization is headquartered in American Canyon, California.
Conservation Strategy Petition
editWhile operating as Burrowing Owl Conservation Network, the organization spearheaded a 2011 statewide petition for the "immediate development, release for public comment and implementation of a Comprehensive Conservation Strategy for Burrowing Owls." This petition was a joint project with Defenders of Wildlife and was signed by 22 other California organizations representing more than 209,000 Californians.[16][17]
Earth Island Institute
editUrban Bird Foundation was adopted by Earth Island Institute on July 24, 2010 as Burrowing Owl Conservation Network.[10][13] Earth Island Institute provided the organization with fiscal sponsorship and administrative support for their grassroots efforts[18] until 2018 when Urban Bird Foundation incorporated in California as an independent nonprofit public benefit corporation and received 501(c)(3) tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service.[10][19][20]
California Endangered Species Act Listing Petition
editOn March 5, 2024, Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, Urban Bird Foundation, Burrowing Owl Preservation Society, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, Central Valley Bird Club and San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society filed a California Endangered Species Act listing petition with the Fish and Game Commission requesting protections for five populations of the western burrowing owl.[21][22][23]
The filed petition seeks endangered status for burrowing owls in southwestern California, central-western California and the San Francisco Bay Area, and threatened status for burrowing owls in the Central Valley and southern desert range.[24][25]
References
edit- ^ "Our Team: Key Staff". Urban Bird Foundation. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ "Managing California's grassland ecosystems for athene cunicularia hypugaea" (PDF). California Native Grasslands Association. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ "Burrowing owls make a comeback in hubbub of Silicon Valley". Bay Nature Magazine. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ "About Us". Urban Bird Foundation. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ "State Protections Sought for Vanishing California Burrowing Owls". Center for Biological Diversity. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ "Burrowing Owl Conservation Network Changes Name to Urban Bird Foundation". Urban Bird Foundation. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ "Financial Statement June 30, 2018" (PDF). Earth Island Institute. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ "State Protections Sought for Vanishing California Burrowing Owls". YubaNet. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ a b c "About Us". Burrowing Owl Conservation Network. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
- ^ a b c "Earth Island Reports: New Earth Island Projects". Earth Island Journal. 25 (3). 2010. Archived from the original on 2012-05-11. Retrieved 2012-05-13.
- ^ Greene, Jessica (January 4, 2010). "Speaking Up for the Owls". NBC Bay Area. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
- ^ "Burrowing Owl Advocates Ask Attorney General To Stop Bird Evictions". KTVU Channel 2. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
- ^ a b Gehlke, Roni (August 24, 2011). "East Contra Costa conservation group protects at-risk burrowing owls" (PDF). Contra Costa Times.
- ^ Rodriguez, Suzie (July 28, 2011). "Helping the Valley's Burrowing Owl Survive" (PDF). Sonoma Press Democrat. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
- ^ Tam, Katherine (January 3, 2010). "East Bay owl advocates protest birds relocation" (PDF). Contra Costa Times.
- ^ "23 Organizations Sign Petition". The Quail. 56 (9): 5. June 2011.
- ^ "23 California Organizations Sign-On to Burrowing Owl Conservation Letter". The Burrow Guardian. 2 (2). April 2011.
- ^ "Project Directory". Earth Island Institute. Archived from the original on 10 May 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
- ^ "Articles of Incorporation of a Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation". California Secretary of State. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ "Urban Bird Foundation Profile". Candid Guidestar. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ "Fish & Game Commission urged to protect "imperiled" western burrowing owls". CBS News. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ "Burrowing owl faces 'death by a thousand cuts,' advocates say". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ "Environmental groups seek new protections for burrowing owls, teetering near extinction". Bay City News. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ "Petition Before the California Fish and Game Commission To List California Populations of theWestern Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) as Endangered or Threatened Under the California Endangered Species Act" (PDF). Center for Biological Diversity. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ "Environmentalists ask California to protect burrowing owls". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 13 March 2024.