Advancing the quality of Sacramento Valley Waterbird Habitats
The California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation (“Foundation”) is a partnership between rice farmers and conservation groups for the long-term sustainability of habitat for waterbirds and other wildlife in California’s Sacramento Valley.
American Bittern 2, Photo credit
Sandhill Crane, Leslie Morris
White-faced Ibis, Leslie Morris
Marsh Wren
American Avocet 2, Leslie Morris
Black-necked Stilt 3
Red-winged Blackbird 3
Cattle Egret, Jim Morris
Great Blue Heron, Leslie Morris
Great Egret, Leslie Morris
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Green Heron, Leslie Morris
This close relationship between the Foundation and the California Rice Commission brings a significant number of California rice growers to the table who are willing to alter their farming practices for the benefit of waterbirds. In addition, cooperative contributions from many waterbird conservation partners bring forward key technical expertise which insures that waterbird habitat enhancement projects will be successfully deployed.
Through over a decade of work to develop and refine beneficial waterbird practices, the Foundation now has a working model for receiving private and public financial contributions and efficiently putting these dollars right onto the ground in real, quantifiable waterbird conservation programs.
Check Out Our Articles
Waterbird and Foundation Articles
Studying nesting cover in California rice country
An exciting new project in California rice has us out counting bird nests these days. Ever wonder how this is done?
Autumn Arrivals: The Onset of Migratory Birds
The onset of autumn in the Sacramento Valley brings the promise of impending relief from hot weather along with hints of radiant fall foliage, as well as the first arrivals of migrating shorebirds, waterbirds, raptors and songbirds that are here only seasonally.
Nature Photography Tips
Professional wildlife photographer Leslie Morris and her husband, Jim — an advanced amateur photographer — suggest techniques that can help any waterbird enthusiast bring home impressive photos.
Stay Wild: The Epic Grind
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER: LESLIE MORRIS, WILDLIFE ENTHUSIAST & COMMS. MANAGER FOR CRC: JIM MORRIS Alone before dawn, one frigid winter morning, wildlife photographer Leslie Morris was setting up her gear in a duck blind in the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge in Glenn County awaiting the arrival of migrating birds. She was encouraged as the shadowy outlines of birds […]
How you can help threatened waterbirds
THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES LIVE IN THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY California rice fields have become increasingly important surrogate wetlands habitat for many wildlife species, including large numbers of migratory waterbirds, wading birds and shorebirds traversing the Pacific Flyway. Many special-status avian species, including some that are threatened, have adapted to cultivated ricelands for rest, feeding and […]