California’s Central Valley rice fields and wetlands are widely heralded as key rest and refuel stops for millions of migratory birds traveling along the Pacific Flyway. The rice fields provide more than 50% of the diet for the ducks and geese during their fall and winter migration. As the drought bears down on the Central Valley, rice farmers and millions of migratory birds will feel the impact.

CLICK HERE to read this CALMATTERS commentary co-authored by Jeff McCreary (Ducks Unlimited) and Tim Johnson (California Rice Commission) about how the current drought imperils both wildlife and farmers along the Pacific Flyway.

Earlier this summer – in another productive area along the Pacific Flyway – Ducks Unlimited (DU) worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Klamath Basin community leaders, Tulelake Irrigation District (TID) staff, local farmers and ranchers and fish advocates to secure relief for endangered fish and waterfowl in the Tule Lake National Refuge.

CLICK HERE to see how DU and farmers played a key role in securing 10,000 acre-feet of water to mitigate severe drought conditions at the refuge in Tulelake, California.