The Pacific Flyway, which runs along the Pacific coast of the Americas is a heavily used migratory pathway for shorebirds – some of which migrate many thousands of miles twice annually. These birds rely on stopover sites to rest and refuel during their long journeys. However, over the past 150 years, many of these natural stopovers have been converted into agricultural fields, leaving the birds without enough food and contributing to a rapid decline in their populations.
In California’s Sacramento Valley, a conservation initiative by the NGO BirdReturns is helping to address this issue by offering farmers a unique opportunity to profit from their land while supporting bird migration. The solution is simple – farmers offer their land up at auction and name a price. The winners receive cash payment in return for spreading a thin layer of water over the land, making it possible for shorebirds and less vulnerable waders and waterfowl, to find the fuel they need on their migratory routes.
Shorebirds have had unusually sharp declines in the past 50 years according to Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s State of the Birds report – some species have declined 70-90% in 50 years. While there are many contributing factors, the restoration of migratory stopovers in the Sacramento Valley has shown promising results. BirdReturns, which developed and manages this innovative project, currently collaborates with around 100 farmers, covering 60,000 acres, with support from various NGOs and now, the state.
For more information on this project, check out this article by Audubon.