Pomona Valley Audubon - Conservation

Pomona Valley Audubon - Southern California

Conservation

For Rehabilitation - Injured, baby & lost birds
For Education - teachers, special programs and materials

Gnatcatcher Preserve? The hills and foothills of our area are urged designated California Gnatcatcher Preserve. Will it help?

800,000 acres of Pomona Valley's Foothills, Jurupa Mountains and undeveloped areas of Chino Hills, etc. are likely to be designated this year as critical habitat for the endangered coastal California gnatcatcher according to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Feb. 5, 2000. Public hearing scheduled. Map and more. POSTED 3/3/00

Diamond Bar Alert!!!! Houses in Wildlife Corridor area?

The City of Diamond Bar has begun a study into the benefits of annexing the Shell Oil property which lies adjacent to the 57 Freeway and running south of Diamond Bar to the Orange County line. It includes some 1357 acres of vacant land. This land is vital to the Wildlife Corridor and is in the process of becoming designated "Significant Ecological Area", SEA, but if annexed will certainly become another housing development. Contact Woody Morf at (909) 861-7762 or slm@exo.com for further information. POSTED 3/8/00

Claremont's Johnson's Pasture to be houses? 150 houses, The Mesa Verde Development, is proposed --- and opposed.

Claremont's Johnson's Pasture 150 house development is being opposed by the newly formed Claremont Wildlands Conservancy according to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Feb. 25, 2000. Map and more.POSTED 3/3/00

Chino Hills needs our Input! Discover our grasslands!

The California State Park system decides how to develop and manage our individual parks in great part through user demand. The Chino Hills State Park, strategically located in the hills running the length of the southern edge of the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, is the largest wilderness area left in the basin. Current proposals for expansion and development reflect the high profile active trail users like dirt bickers, horseback riders, campers, etc. Nature and wildlife lovers would prefer that large areas be left trailless or with only small walking trails to discourage heavy, loud human usage, leaving the habitat for animals and plants. Please explore some of this exciting new area of grasslands, oak and walnut woodlands, raparian, chaparral and coastal scrub.
Please come to the Public Hearings to speak up for our native wildlife which has few other alternative homes! Contact Woody Morf at (909) 861-7762 or slm@exo.com with questions and car pooling. POSTED 2/10/00

Sequoia National Monument? Sequoia trees now vulnerable. Help Clinton help them!

President Clinton recently proposed to make a National Monument for the unprotected Sequoia trees. More than half of all giant Sequoia trees remain vulnerable on National Forest lands. Loggers clearcut the fir forests that surround the groves, exposing the Sequoia trees to direct sunlight and dry air, and destroying the forest ecosystem. The pileated woodpecker, one of California's most magnificent birds, dwells in the Sequoia-fir forests. You can be sure the opposition will be sending letters.

Letters from environmentalists are needed to support the President's proposal. Please write or email. Click for sample letter and addresses. POSTED 3/23/00

Cats on Leash & Indoors! ---but cats & dogs in our homes to teach love of animals and others!

Los Angleles City (what happens in L.A. is often rubber stamped across the country!) is debating a law tightening licensing laws and requiring neutering of pets AND unfortunately restricting the number of litters of cats and dogs to one per year per household.

While the argument is that it will reduce the number of unwanted animals destroyed each year in shelters, it does little or nothing about the real problem of feral animals. Additionally we are concerned that with the destruction of hobby purebred breeding ---which this measure does--- children will be deprived of developing a basic love of animals and responsibility which dog and cat ownership fosters. We fear that the lack of appropriate kittens and puppies will lead to increased poaching of animals from the wild to fill this huge market. The US is already the largest importer of wild-type animals destined for the pet trade in the world---both legal and black market.

Did you know that scientists estimate that outdoor cats (whether stray, owned or feral) kill hundreds of millions of birds each year? Not only are the typical backyard birds prey, but also notable Watch List and Endangered Species. To find out what National Audubon is doing about educating the public about the need to keep cats indoors, see their Cats Indoors page.

Wins versus Loses It's one win for the Local Birds!!!!

The city had sent a letter to a local Claremont resident off of Mills, requiring the trimming of the skirts of the large palm trees there for reasons of rodent control (rats and starlings, etc. love 'em), fire danger and unsightliness. The resident responded that there were barn owls living in them. The City (wanting to do the right thing) called our PVAS President, Dr. Dan Guthrie, for an verification of the owls... and one of them was kind enough to be at home in the roost (with all the requisite owl pellets and rodent bones scattered below) on Jan 18th!!! The City will respect the roost of these birds.

We are delighted to learn of the existence of this barn owl family (since the loss of the Botanic Gardens barn owls, we didn't know of any in Claremont) and greatly appreciate the kindness of their human neighbors in letting them live in these trees ---right between the drive and the front door--- Oh, what a mess those owls must make! POSTED 2/15/00

Armchair Activist

With just one to two hours each month, you can help Audubon protect the environment by participating in the political process from the comfort of your own home. To learn more, visit Armchair Activist Online.

Propositions 12 & 13 Passed!

California voters have overwhelmingly approved the two bond measures to put money into our urban parks and wildlife areas as well as clean up our state's water supply. This sends a strong message to Sacramento that Californians do care very much about the preservation of our quality of life. Thanks to all who made this a success. UPDATE POSTED 3/3/00

To obtain much more complete and detailed information on these propositions, please visit the following web sites:

www.audubon-ca.org
www.safeparks.org
www.prop13.org.

Contact Woody Morf at (909) 861-7762 or slm@exo.com with questions and carpooling.

Contact your conservation Chairman, Woody Morf at (909) 861-7762 or slm@exo.com for ways you can help or with problems that you see in our local area.

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Pomona Valley Audubon Society
Southern California

			For Rehabilitation - Injured, baby & lost birds For Education - teachers, special programs and materials
	Gnatcatcher Preserve?		The hills and foothills of our area are urged designated California Gnatcatcher Preserve. Will it help?
			800,000 acres of Pomona Valley's Foothills, Jurupa Mountains and undeveloped areas of Chino Hills, etc. are likely to be designated this year as critical habitat for the endangered coastal California gnatcatcher according to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Feb. 5, 2000. Public hearing scheduled. Map and more. POSTED 3/3/00

	Diamond Bar Alert!!!!		Houses in Wildlife Corridor area?
			The City of Diamond Bar has begun a study into the benefits of annexing the Shell Oil property which lies adjacent to the 57 Freeway and running south of Diamond Bar to the Orange County line. It includes some 1357 acres of vacant land. This land is vital to the Wildlife Corridor and is in the process of becoming designated "Significant Ecological Area", SEA, but if annexed will certainly become another housing development. Contact Woody Morf at (909) 861-7762 or slm@exo.com for further information. POSTED 3/8/00

	Claremont's Johnson's Pasture to be houses?		150 houses, The Mesa Verde Development, is proposed --- and opposed.
			Claremont's Johnson's Pasture 150 house development is being opposed by the newly formed Claremont Wildlands Conservancy according to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Feb. 25, 2000. Map and more.POSTED 3/3/00

	Chino Hills needs our Input!		Discover our grasslands!
			The California State Park system decides how to develop and manage our individual parks in great part through user demand. The Chino Hills State Park, strategically located in the hills running the length of the southern edge of the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, is the largest wilderness area left in the basin. Current proposals for expansion and development reflect the high profile active trail users like dirt bickers, horseback riders, campers, etc. Nature and wildlife lovers would prefer that large areas be left trailless or with only small walking trails to discourage heavy, loud human usage, leaving the habitat for animals and plants. Please explore some of this exciting new area of grasslands, oak and walnut woodlands, raparian, chaparral and coastal scrub. Please come to the Public Hearings to speak up for our native wildlife which has few other alternative homes! Contact Woody Morf at (909) 861-7762 or slm@exo.com with questions and car pooling. POSTED 2/10/00

	Sequoia National Monument?		Sequoia trees now vulnerable. Help Clinton help them!
			President Clinton recently proposed to make a National Monument for the unprotected Sequoia trees. More than half of all giant Sequoia trees remain vulnerable on National Forest lands. Loggers clearcut the fir forests that surround the groves, exposing the Sequoia trees to direct sunlight and dry air, and destroying the forest ecosystem. The pileated woodpecker, one of California's most magnificent birds, dwells in the Sequoia-fir forests. You can be sure the opposition will be sending letters. Letters from environmentalists are needed to support the President's proposal. Please write or email. Click for sample letter and addresses. POSTED 3/23/00

	Cats on Leash & Indoors!		---but cats & dogs in our homes to teach love of animals and others!
			Los Angleles City (what happens in L.A. is often rubber stamped across the country!) is debating a law tightening licensing laws and requiring neutering of pets AND unfortunately restricting the number of litters of cats and dogs to one per year per household. While the argument is that it will reduce the number of unwanted animals destroyed each year in shelters, it does little or nothing about the real problem of feral animals. Additionally we are concerned that with the destruction of hobby purebred breeding ---which this measure does--- children will be deprived of developing a basic love of animals and responsibility which dog and cat ownership fosters. We fear that the lack of appropriate kittens and puppies will lead to increased poaching of animals from the wild to fill this huge market. The US is already the largest importer of wild-type animals destined for the pet trade in the world---both legal and black market. Did you know that scientists estimate that outdoor cats (whether stray, owned or feral) kill hundreds of millions of birds each year? Not only are the typical backyard birds prey, but also notable Watch List and Endangered Species. To find out what National Audubon is doing about educating the public about the need to keep cats indoors, see their Cats Indoors page.

	Wins versus Loses		It's one win for the Local Birds!!!!
			The city had sent a letter to a local Claremont resident off of Mills, requiring the trimming of the skirts of the large palm trees there for reasons of rodent control (rats and starlings, etc. love 'em), fire danger and unsightliness. The resident responded that there were barn owls living in them. The City (wanting to do the right thing) called our PVAS President, Dr. Dan Guthrie, for an verification of the owls... and one of them was kind enough to be at home in the roost (with all the requisite owl pellets and rodent bones scattered below) on Jan 18th!!! The City will respect the roost of these birds. We are delighted to learn of the existence of this barn owl family (since the loss of the Botanic Gardens barn owls, we didn't know of any in Claremont) and greatly appreciate the kindness of their human neighbors in letting them live in these trees ---right between the drive and the front door--- Oh, what a mess those owls must make! POSTED 2/15/00
	Armchair Activist
			With just one to two hours each month, you can help Audubon protect the environment by participating in the political process from the comfort of your own home. To learn more, visit Armchair Activist Online.

	Propositions 12 & 13		Passed!
			California voters have overwhelmingly approved the two bond measures to put money into our urban parks and wildlife areas as well as clean up our state's water supply. This sends a strong message to Sacramento that Californians do care very much about the preservation of our quality of life. Thanks to all who made this a success. UPDATE POSTED 3/3/00 To obtain much more complete and detailed information on these propositions, please visit the following web sites: www.audubon-ca.org www.safeparks.org www.prop13.org. Contact Woody Morf at (909) 861-7762 or slm@exo.com with questions and carpooling.