Our November meeting will be on TUESDAY to due to the library closure in honor of Veteran’s Day.

Shorebird Conservation: A Shrub Steppe Urgency

Shorebird populations, a global order, are in steep decline. The threats are multitudinous given some of the longest migrations of all birds. With breeding grounds in the far north and great migratory movements, shorebirds are challenging to study. A well identified threat is habitat destruction by shoreline development, and much conservation effort is directed toward protecting and preserving these habitats. The birds’ use of steppe for both migration and breeding is less systematically understood.

This talk examines shorebird use of Columbia Basin shrub steppe and advocates for increased research and recognition of this landscape to shorebird survival.

Kim Thorburn is smitten with shorebirds. The interest probably dates from early childhood chasing Sanderlings out with the surf and back in with the waves at the southern California beach near her grandparents’ home. Her admiration has only grown as an avid birder. Kim is also passionate about shrub steppe conservation, including understanding the wildlife dependent on our fragile Columbia Basin ecosystem.