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Ear to the Ground

Raptors and Windmills in an Era of Climate Action Photo by Doug Bell, East Bay Regional Park District.

Ear to the Ground

Raptors and Windmills in an Era of Climate Action

by Aleta George

In November, California voters decisively defeated Proposition 23, a measure that would have suspended our landmark law to curb greenhouse gas emissions. That was a genuine victory for the environment, but not an uncomplicated one. For better and worse, it likely means more wind turbines. And that means more dead raptors.

From the Jan-Mar 2011 issue
 Published January 01, 2011
Length: moderately-short

In Search of Mountain Plovers Photo by Glen Tepke.

Ear to the Ground

In Search of Mountain Plovers

by Aleta George

Ninety percent of the world population of 8,000 to 10,000 mountain plovers winter in California after traveling from their breeding grounds in Montana and Colorado. Mountain plovers, now listed as one of California's species of greatest concern, numbered around 300,000 in 1975.

From the Jan-Mar 2011 issue
 Published January 01, 2011
Length: moderately-short

Help for the Sparrows of Golden Gate Park Photo by Iris Clearwater, Nature in the City.

Ear to the Ground

Help for the Sparrows of Golden Gate Park

by Aleta George

Every September, people flock to Golden Gate Park's Sharon Meadow to enjoy the arias sung during Opera in the Park. But there is another free concert at the other end of the park: the song of the Nuttall's white-crowned sparrow. A new restoration project aims to help the sparrows sing a bit louder.

From the Jan-Mar 2011 issue
 Published January 01, 2011
Length: moderately-short

Road vs. Stream in Niles Canyon Photo by John Krzesinski.

Ear to the Ground

Road vs. Stream in Niles Canyon

by Aleta George

State Route 84 twists and turns along Alameda Creek through Niles Canyon between Fremont and Sunol. An effort by Caltrans to make the road safer has hit a roadblock: Environmental groups, local citizens, and the City of Fremont claim that widening and straightening the road will simply encourage drivers to go faster while harming a creek that has been the focus of steelhead trout restoration efforts.

From the Jan-Mar 2011 issue
 Published January 01, 2011
Length: moderately-short

Geography of Hope Returns Photo by Anita Ritenour.

Ear to the Ground

Geography of Hope Returns

by Aleta George

After a one-year hiatus, the organizers behind the popular Geography of Hope conference in Point Reyes Station are back with a new topic. Event organizers honored Wallace Stegner at the inaugural conference in 2008 and celebrated sustainable farming in 2009. This year's theme will be "Reflections on Water."

From the Jan-Mar 2011 issue
 Published January 01, 2011
Length: moderately-short

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