Good News in Congress and Courts | Advocacy 101 Webinar

In this issue: Find Your Flock Advocacy 101 Webinar, Policies to Rebuild Better for Birds and People, Court Stops Old-Growth Logging Plan in Tongass National Forest, Lawsuit to Protect Coastal Areas from Sand Mining, New Bill Will Help Saltwater Lake Ecosystems in the West, News from the Flyways, Climate Corner and Your Actions at Work Trouble viewing this e-mail? Try our [web version](. You are a valued member of our online community, and we wanted to share with you our monthly newsletter about how Audubon and our advocates are working to protect birds and the places they need. This month, we’re sharing a bit of good news for birds out of Congress, an update on Audubon’s lawsuit to protect coastal areas from mining, and a chance to take a crash course in advocating for the birds in your community. To receive periodic action alerts that connect you with decision makers when your voice matters the most, [sign up to be part of our Action Network here.]( [National Audubon Society]( ADVISORY July 2020 [A Blackburnian Warbler sings from a pine tree branch.]( [Policies to Rebuild Better for Birds and People]( As Congress prepared for its July 4th recess, lawmakers advanced several important proposals for Audubon’s policy agenda. In the coming months, we have an opportunity to secure major victories on conservation priorities including climate change and coastal resilience. And the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that included provisions to make federal buildings safer for birds, and to provide dedicated funding to help state wildlife agencies proactively conserve vulnerable species. [Read more.]( Blackburnian Warbler. [The lower trunks of three large old-growth trees.]( [Good News! Federal Court Halts Old-Growth Logging Plan in Tongass National Forest]( A federal court opinion issued late last month vacates a U.S. Forest Service plan to log centuries-old trees across a 1.8-million-acre project area on Prince of Wales Island, in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. Thank you to all of our members who donated in support of this lawsuit! [Read more.]( The Tongass National Forest is the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world. [A Willet forages in shallow water, creating a mirror image in the reflection.]( [Audubon Files Lawsuit to Protect Coastal Areas from Sand Mining]( Last week, Audubon sued to stop the Department of the Interior from using taxpayer money to dredge sand from protected coastal areas. Birds and other wildlife rely on undeveloped barrier islands—which would be open for unbridled sand mining under the new unlawful rule—for feeding and nesting. [Read more.]( Willet. [An American Avocet swims on the glassy surface of the Great Salt Lake]( [New Bill Will Help Saltwater Lake Ecosystems in the West]( In one of the most significant acknowledgements that western salt lakes function as connected ecosystems, a new bill in the U.S. Senate would help protect these unique natural resources. Saline lakes provide specialized habitat for globally significant populations of several bird species including more than 99 percent of North America’s Eared Grebes, 90 percent of Wilson’s Phalaropes, and more than half the global population of American Avocets, but the lakes have been drying out. [Read more.]( An American Avocet forages in a saline wetland on Great Salt Lake. News from the Flyways - [Alaska: Bureau of Land Management Continues Attack on Western Arctic]( - [California: Audubon Supporters Hold 50 Meetings with State Representatives to Speak Up for Birds in Virtual Advocacy Day]( - [Florida: Governor DeSantis Signs Water, Resiliency, and Budget Legislation, Rejects Bad Development Bill]( - [North Carolina: Nearly 100 Members Meet With Lawmakers for First-Ever Virtual Advocacy Day]( - [Rockies: How Cheatgrass and Other Invasive Plants are Threatening to Burn Down the West’s Sagebrush Steppe Ecosystem (video)]( - [Vermont: State Senate Passes Bill to Protect Migratory Birds]( Impact Updates [A Black Skimmer in shallow water with a small fish in its beak]( [Climate Corner]( Last week, the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis released an extensive report that details the many ways Congress can respond to the climate crisis. Divided into 12 "pillars,” the report offers many avenues for action, including clean energy deployment, carbon sequestration, restoration of natural resources, and adapting ecosystems to protect communities. Anticipation has been high for the report, which was long delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it signals that now more than ever action on climate is crucial. [Read more.]( Black Skimmer. [An aerial view of the Gila River with trees lining the banks and mountains in the background]( [Your Actions at Work]( Victory! We are thrilled to report that after more than a decade of fighting to protect the Gila River and its tributaries in New Mexico from a costly and environmentally devastating diversion project, the state stream commission has finally voted to withdraw its support. This decision effectively ends this misguided project. Audubon members have faithfully responded to action alerts over the years, proving that endless pressure, endlessly applied really does pay off. And a huge shout-out to decades of hard work from Southwestern New Mexico Audubon Society, a chapter founded 52 years ago in response to an imminent threat of a dam on the Gila River. [Read more.]( Gila River. [A White-crowned Sparrow perched on a berry bush.]( [Next Tuesday: “Find Your Flock” Advocacy 101 Training]( Learn how to be an advocate for birds in your community and beyond. All are welcome. Your voice is one of the most powerful assets when it comes to protecting birds and the places they need. Join us next Tuesday, July 14 at 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT to virtually connect with fellow bird lovers and learn the skills to plan successful advocacy campaigns. [Register here.]( White-crowned Sparrow. Photos from top: Shirley Donald/Audubon Photography Awards, John Schoen, Peter Brannon/Audubon Photography Awards, Evan Barrientos/Audubon, Nikunj Patel/Audubon Photography Awards (left), Judy Calman/Audubon (right), Marlin Greene/Audubon Photography Awards CONNECT WITH US [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( [YouTube]( [DONATE]( [ADVOCATE]( National Audubon Society 225 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014 USA [(844) 428-3826](#) | [audubon.org]( © 2020 National Audubon Society, Inc. [Update your email address or unsubscribe](