A Task force to help nesting birds

The Cavity Conservation Initiative, in partnership with West Coast Arborists, has organized a ground-breaking 28-person, professional, volunteer task force in southern California to address the problematic issue of tree pruning during the nesting season.  Its mission is a response to the widespread harm to nesting birds, an action prohibited by the Federal Bird Migratory Act.  Birds that nest in dead trees are especially vulnerable.

Joining the CCI and WCA, the list of participants include Audubon Chapters, City Park and Landscape Supervisors, the Urban Forest Council, Dept of Fish and Wildlife, conservation groups, the Davey Tree Company, Edison Company and San Diego Gas and Electric and bird rescue organizations.

The task force’s first priority is to establish best management practices for trimming while birds are nesting. To support the new standards, strategies and resources will also be developed for education and certification of tree trimmers as well as a public education campaign. Fiscal management of the three-year project will be handled by a 501(C) 3 organization represented on the task force. Estimated cost of the project is $45,000.  At the conclusion of its first meeting, one participant said, “I have waited 20 years for this meeting.”

The CCI is deeply grateful for the enthusiastic commitment of all participants and their exemplary illustration that community partnerships can indeed be formed to develop creative compromises to resolve conflicting interests.

To learn more or to make a contribution to the project:

Contact: Gillian Martin, Dir. Cavity Conservation Initiative. Email: gm4012@gmail.com Cell (949) 495-0588