With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Last Day to Get Your Bird Nerd On
Today marks the official end of the Christmas Bird Count season, a time in which bird enthusiasts, aficionados and full-on bird geeks take daily nature walks armed with binoculars, bird guides and notepads to provide information for the longest-running wildlife census, all in the name of helping conservation.
The National Audubon Society and other organizations use the data collected to assess a range of topics and help researchers and conservation biologists study the long-term health of bird populations and how they have changed over time. The data aids in planning bird habitats and can raise flags about environmental threats such as groundwater contamination or human threats such as hunting.
From the Canadian Goose to the Cinnamon Teal to the Surf Scoter and the Bufflehead (yes, these really are bird species), today is the last day for Volunteer Citizen Scientists to head out to nature preserves with the official checklist in hand and add to the final tallies. You might not be an "official" Audubon volunteer, but it's also National Bird Day so there's no reason you can't hit the nearest hiking trail and get down with your bird self this afternoon to appreciate some species that may not be with us in years to come.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
