The Southern California Wildfires and What We Can Do About Them
Hi,
The photo above (S. California, October, 2007) pretty much says it all... (Thanks go out to the folks at nowpublic.com for this public domain photo.)
Obviously, we've got a lot to deal with, so let's dig right in...
The last few days have been tragic to say the least. Here's just one "on the scene" insight...
Anissa writes... "The Santa Ana winds blew heavily on Sunday. We had just filled and hung the birdfeeders that day, but as the fires and smoke grew worse, we saw a sharp decrease in birds at our feeder. For instance, usually our goldfinch feeder is covered over in American and Lesser Goldfinches, but on Monday and Tuesday I saw no goldfinches. Maybe one or two House Finches showed up and the hummingbirds continued to visit, but overall the silence was eerie. I didn't even hear the normal caws of crows. We had a visit from a hopeful Cooper's Hawk, but he seemed to be out of luck finding songbirds also. Also, the hawk kept holding up one talon. I'm not sure if he had injured or burned himself. Sometimes he held up the left and sometims the right, behavior I've not observed in the Cooper's Hawk before.
Today, some birds have returned. White-crowned Sparrows, Mourning Doves, the normal finches. I still haven't seen or heard the crows.
As for other wildlife, I heard about a deer running out of the smoke and fire into roads and getting hit by a car, I'm sorry to say."
So what can we do?
- Well first, eBirdseed.com is donating 15% of all purchases to the American Red Cross until Thanksgiving, November 22nd. And the giving process is extremely
simple... During checkout, simply enter code PROJECTPHOENIX in the Donation Code box. (all capitals, no spaces). This will 'flag' the order so we can determine the
amount of the total donation.
You are welcome to share this code with whomever you like. Please tell all of your friends and family as we would like to contribute as much as possible.
- If you don't need birdseed, simply go to Red Cross.org and make a donation directly.
And there are other ways that you can help...
- You can donate to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and/or The Humane Society of the United States.
- Finally, don't be fooled into thinking that all "non-profit" organizations are the same. Check out Charity Navigator and donate carefully.
See you by the feeders,
CapeCodAlan
Comments
First of all, I salute eBirdseed.com for that phenomenal offer to earmark 15% of purchases to the American Red Cross. Note, folks: That's 15% of all PURCHASES. That's unheard of for 99.9% of businesses. I have worked in small and mid-level businesses and can tell you, this is a HUGE percentage. This is an example of how we, as Americans, come together in times of difficulty. Kudos to eBirdseed.com!
Second, Having lived in San Diego for awhile, I have many friends back there. Some have already lost their homes. Others are on the brink. But they all have a reserve about them that gives me pause to reflect how, when facing what seems to be the insurmountable, we rise to the occasion time and again. Keep these folks in your hearts and prayers. These people are the "keepers" in our society.
Third, while I sympathize with those who have lost their homes in the rural reaches, It's imperative we all understand and acknowledge the risk of doing so. Several of my friends who lost homes in this or the Cedar fire of 2003 knew the risk of building in the wild. They accepted it and they don't expect someone else to pay for their misfortune. They understand it's the cost of communing with nature.
These things happen. The reason my friends are getting through this as well as they have is because they didn't live in FEAR of nature, but in AWE of nature's glory and wrath.
But they also understand that while THEY chose to live there, the animals in their midst had no choice. And they respected all creatures great and small. When they rebuild, I will donate a birdhouse or two from this site along with feed to get their nature neighbors started.
However, my first check will be to The Humane Society in San Diego. I know they will put it to good use.
It will be many years before the effects of these fires will be wiped away. The earthly scars will heal rather quickly. Mother nature is resilient in this way. Those who lived through this, however, will carry the scars of their memories long after the green (and, hopefully, the birds) have returned.
Like I said, it's times like these that our true character comes through and rises to the occasion. If you know ANYONE in the areas afflicted, let them know they are in your thoughts and prayers.
We can all help those less fortunate: The animals of these areas. Contact your local humane society for ideas.
And just remember: There's an on-line store where you can get some wonderful deals on bird supplies that's just chomping at the bit to do their part as well. Together we can and will rise to the occasion as we do in times like this. Our four-footed and winged friends are counting on us. I can speak only for myself, but if I had the chance to look into the eyes of any one of God's pets that have gone through this unbelievable trauma and survived, I would want to relate the message to them, "I care and I'm here for you too."
Now's the time. Here's the best place to start.
Thank you, eBirdseed.com for leading the way and thank you CapeCodAlan for pulling together some great resources for us to use. It's no wonder this is the top blog in its field.
Posted by: Gerry Ashley | October 25, 2007 3:21 AM
Hey Alan,
Just a quick note to say that 5 people have already used the PROJECTPHOENIX code during checkout!
Keep flagging those orders!
Learn more here.
Gordon
Co-Owner
Posted by: Gordon | October 25, 2007 8:05 AM
Thanks, ebirdseed, for your generous donations!
A word from the front lines here in North San Diego County -- i drove off from my place Monday noon -- just ahead of the "Rice Canyon" fire blazing toward our area. Returning to the area Tuesday and Wednesday, i determined thru photos that my house is thankfully and miraculously still standing. Saved by air drops! When roads finally open and authorities say it's safe to go back in, i will be able to more clearly assess damages. More updates and observations to follow, if there's an interest....
{eBirdseed.com replies... Great! Be safe!}
Posted by: kathryn | October 25, 2007 1:40 PM