Sometimes conservation issues seem too big for one person to tackle. However, some of the greatest success stories started with a single individual and a passion for doing good. SCVAS owes its success to the many volunteers who demonstrate such a passion, and we encourage others to show the same dedication to the environment around them. On this page you'll find information on what you can do to help local birds and wildlife.
Injured Wildlife and Other Wildlife - for more information on what to do if you find injured wildlife.
SCVAS Video Birding Basics: Crash Course in Conservation. As with all things, it's easy to find yourself in the deep end of conservation pretty quickly once you take an interest. This week, we're taking a look at how the average person can get involved without getting overwhelmed.
SFBBO’s Birdy Hour Talk: How to Help Birds on the Homefront by Lisa Myers - watch this video to learn what you can do at home to help birds
Visit our Backyard Birding page for more information on how to make your yard more bird-friendly.
Participate in the nationwide Great Backyard Bird Count and Project Feeder Watch as part of our community science programs to provide scientists with valuable information.
Support Our Wetlands by Purchasing a Duck Stamp
An article featured in the March-April 2017 Avocet issue
In the early 1900s loss of wetlands due to agricultural growth was beginning to take a toll on the ducks that migrated, lived and bred in wetland habitats. On top of that, over-hunting was depleting many species of waterfowl to dangerous levels - Wood Ducks alone were on the verge of extinction. In response to this disturbing trend, several federal acts were passed between 1901 and the mid 1930s to stop over-hunting and to better protect waterfowl and wetland habitats.
In 1934, Congress passed the “Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act,” commonly known as the “Duck Stamp Act.” This program’s effectiveness was due to its simple process of enforcement - anyone over the age of sixteen that carried a hunting license had to purchase a Duck Stamp and 98% of the proceeds from this stamp went to protecting wetlands and setting aside acreage for the National Wildlife Refuge system. I could go into the specific numbers of bird species saved and acres of wetlands created due to the stamp’s revenue, but most crucial is the fact that the purchase of these stamps is currently waning. A number of recent articles have shown the numbers of duck hunters decreasing across the nation – fewer duck hunters means fewer stamps purchased.
However, the good news is that birding is leading duck hunting as a sport. Duck hunter numbers are down to approximately 2.5 million, the lowest rate in decades, while statistics show that over 46 million people across the country are avid birders. As a result of this dramatic trend, many organizations are encouraging birders, wildlife photographers, and other outdoor enthusiasts to buy a Federal Duck Stamp/Junior Duck Stamp to support conservation of waterfowl and secure wetland safety for the future. Duck Stamps are currently $25 and will give you free entry to any National Wildlife Refuge that charges an entry fee. See how you can make a difference!