Climate Change

Evidence of the reality of climate change is all around us and becoming clearer year by year. Locally, some of the more obvious signs are increasing threats of drought, heat waves, loss of snowpack, and a lengthening fire season. Worldwide, climate scientists almost universally agree that the main driver is a warming trend caused by an unprecedentedly rapid increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. And that principally is due to the burning of fossil fuels.

In 2014, National Audubon released a special report, “Birds and Climate Change”. Using sophisticated climate models that combined decades of observations from Christmas Bird Counts and North American Breeding Bird Surveys while factoring in 17 climate variables, Audubon forecast a very shocking future for birds: 314 species are at risk from climate change due to loss of habitat in their current ranges. Of these, 189 bird species occur in Washington State and over 50 occur in Kittitas County. KAS organized a committee to gather and distribute information about climate change and what our local chapter and members can do to help birds.

Some of the consequences of climate change now are inevitable, and KAS seeks to mitigate the damage to our birds and to people. The worst consequences are not yet inevitable, and KAS wants to help avoid them. The way to avoid the worst is by reducing the use of fossil fuels and by expanding the use of renewable energy. This requires action on all levels: individual, local, municipal, county, state, and national. On the individual and local levels, valuable steps include reducing our own carbon footprints, using native plants around our homes and in our communities, and encouraging our elected leaders to take the issues seriously—and inspiring others to do so also!

CLIMATE CHANGE AND NATIVE PLANTS

In September 2014, National Audubon released a special issue report, “Birds and Climate Change”. Using sophisticated climate models that combined decades of observations from Christmas Bird Counts and North American Breeding Bird Survey while factoring in 17 climate variables, Audubon forecasts a very shocking future for birds: 314 species are at risk from climate change due to loss of habitat in their current ranges! Of these, 189 bird species occur in Washington State and over 50 occur in Kittitas County!

Kittitas Audubon organized a committee to gather and distribute information about climate change and what our local chapter and members can do to help birds. Many activities have taken place, including invited speakers, presentations, and coordination with other like-minded organizations. Check back here for notifications on future events and activities.

Eastern Washington is a beautiful but fragile ecosystem hosting millions of acres of important bird habitat. As global warming continues, water conservation for both birds and people become a priority issue of concern for all residents. Wildfires are predicted to increase with climate change, especially in shrub-steppe, threatening critical bird habitat, private property and homes.

The KAS Climate Change Committee received a grant from National Audubon. Two deliverables are a brochure and a guidebook, about using native plants around homes, community parks, schools, and churches to provide food and shelter for birds. Drought- tolerant and fire-resistant native plants are featured.

A short version of the guide can be downloaded using this link: Download the Short Native Plants Guide as a PDF.

If you would like to download a full copy of the guide, “Using native plants to preserve birds and protect homes under a changing climate scenario” click on the following link: Download the Complete Native Plants Guide as a PDF.