Ambitious Coastal Restoration Project Takes Off

Also in this issue: Audubon calls on Congress to continue investments for birds and people across the country | Trouble viewing this e-mail? Try our [web version](. [National Audubon Society]( AUDUBON ADVISORY August 2023 [A photo of a Roseate Spoonbill in flight. Credit: Bill Dix/Audubon Photography Awards]( [Louisiana Breaks Ground on Single-largest Ecosystem Restoration Project in U.S.]( Today, state and federal officials in Louisiana broke ground on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion. This large-scale restoration project will reconnect the Mississippi River with its wetlands, which will buffer nearby communities from storms and provide habitat for iconic birds like Roseate Spoonbills and Bald Eagles. [Read more]( Roseate Spoonbill. [A photo of a Lesser Prairie-Chicken standing amongst bare twigs. Credit:  Danny Hancock/Audubon Photography Awards]( [House Vote to End Lesser-Prairie Chicken Protections Ignores Clear Science]( Late last month, the U.S. House voted to advance the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Extinction Act. The bill not only eliminates much-needed protections for this species, but could also prevent any future protection, which may doom it to extinction. [Read more and take action]( Lesser Prairie-Chicken. [A photo of a Great Egret standing in shallow water, feeding at sunset, Credit: Marti Phillips/Audubon Photography Awards]( [Audubon’s 2024 Bird Budget: Federal Investments to Bring Birds Back]( As annual appropriations bills are negotiated, Congress must act on climate by protecting recent funding successes and increasing investments that reduce carbon emissions and conserve our lands and waters. [Read more]( Great Egret, News from the Flyways - [Arizona: Local Chapter’s Efforts to Protect Santa Cruz River Ecosystem are Successful]( (Published by Nogales International) - [California: Updates Made to State’s “Fully Protected Species” Statutes]( - [Connecticut: Dog Owners Urged to Beware of Endangered Bird Nests―and Potential Fines]( (Published by The Day) - [Florida: Record-High Water Temperatures Highlight Importance of Everglades Restoration]( - [Great Lakes: Public Input Needed on Great Lakes Restoration Planning]( - [North Carolina: New Policy Requires Native Plants at State Parks and Historical Sites]( - [South Carolina: Audubon Staff Participate in SC7 Events to Promote Conservation Solutions]( - [Texas: State Goes ‘Lights Out’ for Fall Migration, August 15 - November 30]( - [Vermont: Critical Bird Habitat Threatened as Airport Undergoes an Expansion]( Impact Updates [A photo of three Great Egrets flying near transmission lines. Credit: Camilla Cerea/Audubon]( [Climate Corner]( Last week, the National Audubon Society released a report that addresses the importance of rapidly expanding electric transmission to meet climate goals while also protecting wildlife habitat. The report, Birds and Transmission: Building the Grid Birds Need, outlines the urgent need for additional transmission capacity, as well as the current scientific understanding of solutions to minimize risks to birds. [Read more and access the report]( Great Egrets fly near transmission lines. [A photo of a Red-breasted Sapsucker perched on a mossy tree branch. Credit: Dave Shaw]( [Your Actions at Work]( Earlier this year, we reported the good news that the National Roadless Rule was officially restored to the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska. More than 60,000 Audubon members were among the nearly half million people who had called on the U.S. Forest Service to reinstate the rule. A new blog post from Audubon Alaska explains what the Roadless Rule reinstatement means for birds. [Read more]( Red-breasted Sapsucker. Photos from top: Bill Dix/Audubon Photography Awards; Danny Hancock/Audubon Photography Awards; Marti Phillips/Audubon Photography Awards; Camilla Cerea/Audubon (left); Dave Shaw (right) [Join the Audubon Action Network]( Join our Action Network to receive periodic action alerts that connect you with decision makers when your voice matters the most. CONNECT WITH US [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( [YouTube]( [DONATE]( [ADVOCATE]( [GET TEXT UPDATES]( National Audubon Society 225 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014 USA [(844) 428-3826](#) | [audubon.org]( © 2023 National Audubon Society, Inc. [Update your email address or unsubscribe](