Audubon California Project Receives $5.2m for Salton Sea Restoration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

(Sacramento, Calif.—Could 23, 2025) – The California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) has authorised a grant of $5,231,066 in direction of Audubon California’s Bombay Seashore Wetland Enhancement tasks, a crucial step in restoring and increasing 564 acres of wetland habitat on the Salton Sea. ​ This challenge, situated close to the lakeside neighborhood of Bombay Seashore, is a cooperative effort with the California Division of Water Sources, Imperial Irrigation District and the Bureau of Reclamation, and can assist restore an important stopover for tens of millions of migratory birds touring alongside the Pacific Flyway, together with habitat for the endangered Yuma Ridgway’s Rail and desert pupfish. ​ 

The Bombay Seashore Wetland Enhancement challenge addresses an pressing have to stabilize and restore wetland habitats on the Salton Sea. ​ The challenge will improve current “emergent” wetlands, the place desert spring outflows spill onto uncovered lakebed; increase habitat in these areas; assist management windblown mud; and create public entry alternatives sooner or later. ​ 

“This grant is a monumental funding in the way forward for the Salton Sea, each for the wildlife that rely on it and the communities that encompass it,” stated Andrea Jones, director of chicken conservation and interim government director of Audubon California. “The Salton Sea is a crucial stopover for migratory waterbirds, and this challenge will be certain that these wetlands proceed to offer refuge for species going through habitat loss and local weather change challenges.” ​ 

“Because the Salton Sea continues to face challenges, well timed, well-designed tasks like this are important—not just for restoring ecological perform, but additionally for constructing long-term resilience in frontline communities,” stated Camila Bautista, Salton Sea and desert program supervisor for Audubon California. “Residents of the Imperial and Coachella Valleys have already got excessive charges of dust-caused respiratory illnesses and but have little entry to out of doors actions. This challenge will instantly profit native communities and switch the Sea into an asset for them.” 

The challenge will embody the stabilization of seashore berms, building of circulation constructions to handle water distribution, and creation of micro-catchments to help runoff. ​ Lengthy-term administration will likely be overseen by the Salton Sea Conservancy below the California Pure Sources Company’s Salton Sea Administration Program, with monitoring by the California Division of Fish and Wildlife. ​ 

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Contact: Jason Howe, jason.howe@audubon.org

About Audubon:

The Nationwide Audubon Society is a number one nonprofit conservation group with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impression, devoted to defending birds and the locations they want, in the present day and tomorrow. Birds are highly effective indicators of our planet’s well being, appearing as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and encourage motion. Audubon works throughout the Western Hemisphere, pushed by the understanding that what is sweet for birds is sweet for the planet. By way of a collaborative, bipartisan method throughout habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives significant and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 employees and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing pressure dedicated to making sure a greater planet for each birds and folks for generations to come back. Be taught extra at www.audubon.org and on Fb, X and Instagram @audubonsociety.