Skip to main content

BLOG

KBO Partners

Cocktails for a Cause

Join KBO for drinks on Tuesday, December 20th, 5 pm – 8 pm at Lune Cafe in Ashland, OR. $2 from every specialty cocktail or lemonade will be donated to KBO. You can also purchase tickets for a 50/50 raffle. It is the perfect way to have drinks with family and friends this holiday season and support a local conservation organization. Can’t make it on the 20th? This holiday fundraiser runs till December 31st. 

State of the Birds 2022 – There is hope for declining forest bird species

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.

2022 U.S. State of the Birds Report Reveals Widespread Losses of Birds Due to Habitat Stress

A newly released State of the Birds report for the United States reveals a tale of two trends, one hopeful, one dire. Historically we have demonstrated that investment in bird conservation can pay off – for example, we have recovered at-risk species like waterfowl and the Peregrine Falcons by focused resources and efforts. However, North American populations continue to show widespread declines. In the west, forest-dependent and wetland birds are both showing a more recent decline that is of grave concern.

PRESS RELEASE: KSON Receives Funding to Restore 2,480 Acres of Oak Habitat

We are excited to announce that the Klamath Siskiyou Oak Network (KSON) has received funding from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB)’s Focused Investment Partnerships grant program for the Little Butte Oak Initiative. KSON partners plan to restore 2,480 acres of oak habitat within the Little Butte Creek Watershed and Table Rocks using ecological thinning, prescribed fire, noxious weed abatement, and native understory planting.

Sunday Afternoon Kids’ Hats with a Cause

Need a new hat for your little adventure buddy? Sunday Afternoons is selling bird-themed kid and toddler trucker hats with proceeds going to KBO. The hummingbird and osprey designs were done by artist Acacia Lacy.  You can visit KBO at the Sunday Afternoons storefront in Ashland on September 10th. By doing so you will receive a coupon for your next purchase. Get a hat today and support KBO!

News Release: Population and Habitat Objectives for Landbirds in Prairies, Oak, and Riparian Habitats of Western Oregon and Washington

The newly released conservation plan, Population and Habitat Objectives for Landbirds in Prairies, Oak, and Riparian Habitats of Western Oregon and Washington (Rockwell et al 2022), provides quantitative and multi-scaled population and habitat objectives for 26 focal and seven imperiled bird species. As the title suggests, the plan focuses on prairie, oak, and riparian habitats in the Puget Lowlands, Willamette Valley, and Klamath Mountains ecoregions of western Oregon and Washington. This document was prepared for the Oregon-Washington Chapter of Partners in Flight (PIF), Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service.

What exactly is a bird’s eye view of the forest?

At Klamath Bird Observatory, we frequently tell the story of birds knowing our forests better than we do. Using birds as indicators, we’ve applied our science across the diverse and beautiful Klamath-Siskiyou bioregion to understand the ecological change from a bird’s perspective and used that information to inform conservation planning and restoration design. But what exactly is a bird’s eye view of the forest?

Educational Videos from Vesper Meadow

Klamath Bird Observatory has been working with Vesper Meadow to engage and educate the community on the Oregon Vesper Sparrow. Vesper Meadow created two educational videos on the work that is being done to help this imperiled species by KBO and other partners. Follow the link to find these videos and learn more about the “little brown job”.

Bird Monitoring in the Upper Applegate Watershed

The Upper Applegate Watershed, located south of Ruch in Jackson County, Oregon, is a 52,000-acre USFS and BLM planning area among the region’s highest priorities for forest restoration. As part of a new project led by Rogue Forest Partners, over 18,000 acres of forested lands in the Upper Applegate Watershed are receiving restoration treatments over the next few years. Project benefits include improved forest health, protecting the surrounding communities from wildfire, and supporting climate resilience to mixed conifer forests that host many species of plants and animals.

A Holiday FUNdraiser, Shopping, and Outreach Spetacular

Start your holiday season off right by supporting bird conservation. This Black Friday, shop local and support conservation by buying gifts from the KBO Gear shop or Sunday Afternoon. You can purchase KBO Gear in person at the Northwest Nature Shop on First Friday in December. Looking for fun holiday activities that also give back? Join KBO for a Holiday FUNdraiser — Contemplative Photography on December 11th, hosted by Shannon Rio and Amanda Alford, with a presentation by Kirk Gooding. This is an in-person event with appetizers, and beverages will be provided. You can also spend the evening with KBO at Luna Cafe for Cocktails for a Cause on December 20th. We are looking forward to spending the holidays with our KBO Community!