Klamath Call Note

We are officially releasing the documentary for public viewing. Join Daniel and KBO on a journey to understand the ecology of the at-risk Oregon Vesper Sparrow and the causes of its decline. Daniel covers the life history of this handsome little brown bird and the field methods and new technology that KBO is employing to study its life cycle year-round. Through beautiful imagery and graphics, he tells the story of KBOs’ continuing research to understand the decline of the Oregon Vesper Sparrow, a subspecies of conservation concern unique to the Pacific Northwest, and look for solutions.

To align KBO’s staffing to meet this forest bird conservation need, we are developing a new conservation delivery program area to help us further focus and scale up our efforts to translate science into even more conservation action. This new program area is poised for success because Jaime Stephens, who has been a leader at KBO for over 20 years, will be taking on a new role as KBO’s first Director of Conservation. Jaime has served as KBO’s long-time Science Director for many years, leading our extensive monitoring and research efforts. As the Science Director, Jaime has worked tirelessly to develop the partnerships and deliver our science, helping to grow KBO’s direct involvement in on-the-ground conservation efforts. These efforts have reached a level that warrants the creation of this new position.

ODFW, in partnership with the Klamath Siskiyou Oak Network (KSON), received a $2.78 million federal grant from America the Beautiful Challenge program to conduct oak-prairie habitat restoration in the Upper Rogue watershed. The funding comes from multiple federal agencies and complements match funding from private donations designated for landscape-scale conservation work directed by the state, tribal, nonprofit, and working-lands partners. The federal grant will help support two ongoing oak restoration initiatives. The Upper Rogue Oak Initiative builds on a recently awarded $7 million investment from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and $3 million matching funds to KSON’s Little Butte Oak Initiative. Support for both initiatives will create landscape resiliency and wildlife connectivity. The additional investment expands the initiatives’ geographic reach by restoring 800 acres of oak habitat using prescribed fire, ecological thinning to reduce conifer encroachment, noxious w…

We now offer a Zoom option for the Holiday FUNdraiser — Contemplative Photography by Kirk Gooding. This presentation celebrates the power of photography. Kirk selected his favorite nature photos and created this inspirational series set to music. After a brief introduction, we ask you to sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds created in this stunning presentation.  This event takes place on December 11th from 5 pm – 8 pm and Zoom 6 pm – 7 pm. 

Join the Giving Tuesday movement. It is the biggest day of the year for generosity. By giving to Klamath Bird Observatory, you are helping to support long-term monitoring that provides information about changes in bird populations, in-depth theoretical research that advances our understanding of bird distribution and movements, and applied ecology that addresses natural resource management challenges. We ask that you help us with our continued efforts to protect birds, putting birds and KBO’s science at the forefront of conservation decision-making and action. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO MAKE AN END-OF-YEAR DONATION NOW!

Sunday, December 11th, 5 – 8 PM Nature photography can be deeply soul-soothing and meditative. It can be educational as it gives details about the appearance or behavior of a bird, and it can result in the protection of birds and landscapes. William Finley was a conservation photographer who presented to Teddy Roosevelt photos showing the mass slaughter of herons and egrets, prompting Roosevelt to set aside land as refuges for birds. Highlighting the importance of art in conservation. This presentation celebrates the power of photography. Kirk Gooding selected his favorite nature photos and created this inspirational series set to music. After a brief introduction, we ask you to sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds created in this stunning presentation. This holiday event will be held in a home in Ashland. Appetizers and beverages will be provided.

It is still 2022, but we are planning for 2023! In April, KBO will be traveling to Brazil to spend time with Mantiqueira Bird Observatory (OAMa)  and their fantastic team, Luiza and Pedro. Join us for a 10-day trip exploring the beauty of the Brazilian cloud forests, seeing exotic birds, discussing bird conservation with scientists from Brazil and KBO, bird banding in action, and eating delicious food. By attending this trip, you are donating to the intern exchange program between KBO and OAMa. Your donation helps cover the cost of travel, visa fees, stipend, and much more for an intern. Luiza will be hosting a presentation on November 20th at 5 pm to showcase all the amazing this we will see and do in Brazil and about OAMa. 

To help us tell the story about how sustained forest management investments in the Klamath Siskiyou Bioregion may benefit birds, we invited Executive Director Terry Fairbanks from the Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative (SOFRC) to provide a testimonial. KBO is bringing multiple voices to the table to coalesce around a forest conservation movement to ensure investment if forest restoration benefits birds and people. As we restore our forest from years of fire suppression using birds to guide conservation action and evaluate restoration success, we are telling a complete ecosystem story. KBO Executive Director John Alexander, a contributor to the Report, gave a live interview with Jefferson Exchange host Geoffrey Riley, discussing this story. Terry Fairbanks’s video interview and John’s recorded interview can both be found in this blog.

January can be a great time to enjoy raptor viewing in the picturesque Klamath Basin! Please join longtime KBO board member Dick Ashford, who will share his enthusiasm and knowledge during an informative (and fun!) Hawk ID workshop. On Jan 5th, a classroom lecture will be held from 6-8:30 PM in the KBO “Spa” at 2425 Siskiyou Blvd, Ashland. Then, enjoy a day-long outing to the Klamath Basin on Jan 7th. We’ll depart Ashland at 8 AM and return around 5-ish. To afford everyone the best possible experience, attendance is limited. We will carpool (a must!) in 4 vehicles of 4 people each.

Join Klamath Bird Observatory and Mantiqueira Bird Observatory (OAMa) for a presentation highlighting our FUNdraising trip to Brazil on April 12th-20th, 2023. Luiza cofounder of OAMa will present trip details and be available to help answer any questions you may have about this fantastic opportunity on November 20th at 5 pm. This is a hybrid event with in-person being held at the KBO office. During this trip, you will get the opportunity to bird with local scientists, visit beautiful national parks, participate in a photography workshop, and watch bird banding in action at OAMa