An important op-ed on the plight of migratory water birds appeared in today’s Sacramento Bee. Co-authored by Mark Biddlecomb of DU and Bridgid McCormack of Audubon, the piece touched on a number of issues birds along the Pacific Flyway will face this fall.

The wetlands of Central California form part of a critical bird migration route known as the Pacific Flyway, which stretches from Alaska to Chile. Millions of migratory water birds – including ducks, geese, terns, shorebirds and many others – depend on California’s wetlands for water, food and habitat during their long migration and throughout winter.

Migratory water birds play a vital role in California’s environment, but they are also a critical part of our economy. Tourists, bird watchers and hunters add millions of dollars to our state every year. A sample of two Central Valley wetlands alone in 2011 generated nearly $8 million that was spent in local communities.

To read the full piece, click here.