LOS ANGELES, CA — Conservation teams, chook organizations, and group scientists throughout California are making ready for the inaugural California Hen Atlas Huge Weekend, a four-day effort happening June 4–7, to doc breeding birds as a part of the first-ever statewide Breeding Hen Atlas (BBA).
1000’s of Californians will unfold out throughout the state’s shoreline, deserts, forests, wetlands, valleys, and cities to doc as many breeding chook species in as many components of the state as doable. Dozens of group occasions are being organized by native chook and conservation teams.
California is certainly one of solely six states that has by no means accomplished a statewide Breeding Hen Atlas, regardless of supporting extra breeding chook species than every other place within the nation. BBAs are large-scale, multi-year efforts to doc the distribution and breeding standing of all nesting chook species throughout a area, creating a vital baseline for monitoring ecological change over time. As a result of breeding birds reply rapidly to shifts in local weather, habitat, and land use, they’re among the many handiest indicators of general ecosystem well being. By constructing this baseline now, Californians will assist create some of the necessary biodiversity datasets in state historical past and supply a robust software for guiding conservation choices for many years to return.
“California may arguably be known as the birdiest state, however we’ve fallen far behind on pursuing this significant software,” mentioned Van Pierszalowski, Govt Director of California Hen Atlas, a brand new nonprofit group devoted to establishing the state’s Breeding Hen Atlas. “The birding group right here has exploded in recent times, changing into youthful and extra various than most individuals understand. It’s been inspiring to see all these people come collectively for a shared mission, immediately including to group science that may inform conservation choices for years to return.”
“As champions for all of California’s 600+ chook species and our state’s unbelievable biodiversity, we’re thrilled to assist launch our state’s first and solely Breeding Hen Atlas,” mentioned Andrea Jones, vice chairman of Audubon California, a founding accomplice group of California Hen Atlas. “This community-powered initiative is without doubt one of the most enjoyable alternatives to advance avian science and conservation planning for the thousands and thousands of birds that depend on California to breed, feed, and relaxation throughout their outstanding migrations.”
The hassle comes at a pivotal second for California. Wildfires, local weather change, habitat loss, and growing stress on land and water sources are quickly reshaping landscapes throughout the state. Scientists and land managers more and more want long-term knowledge to grasp how wildlife populations are responding.
“Breeding Hen Atlases present a vital scientific baseline for understanding how ecosystems are altering over time,” mentioned Morgan Tingley, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UCLA and chair of CBA’s Science Advisory Committee. “At a time of fast environmental change and rising ecological uncertainty, establishing a statewide baseline for California’s breeding birds is urgently necessary for each conservation and science.”
The nonprofit California Hen Atlas formally launched the challenge on January 1, 2026, with knowledge assortment scheduled to proceed by way of 2030. The response from the birding group was instant. By late Might, greater than 4,000 people had already contributed to the challenge, collectively submitting over 110,000 Atlas checklists by way of a custom-built eBird platform.
To be taught extra, discover occasions, or host an outing, go to: www.californiabirdatlas.org/bigweekend.
About California Hen Atlas
California Hen Atlas is a nonprofit group devoted to establishing California’s first statewide Breeding Hen Atlas whereas deepening the general public’s connection to nature. California Hen Atlas is supported by Audubon California, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, UCLA, state businesses, 28 native Audubon chapters, and different conservation organizations.
About Audubon California
Audubon California is a regional workplace of the Nationwide Audubon Society, a number one nonprofit conservation group with 120 years of science-based, community-driven affect, devoted to defending birds and the locations they want, at this time and tomorrow. Be taught extra at audubon.org/california and comply with us on Instagram and Facebook @AudubonCA.
