Where we work
California’s Central Valley
California’s Central Valley is the heart of the Pacific Flyway, a migratory pathway traveled by millions of birds each year. Stretching more than 400 miles, the Valley links northern breeding grounds with wintering areas as far south as Central and South America, making it one of the most important stopover regions in the Western Hemisphere.
Once dominated by vast seasonal wetlands and floodplains, over 95% of the Valley’s historic wetlands have been lost to development and agriculture. The birds that depend on these habitats now rely on a patchwork of remaining wetlands and working farmlands to rest and refuel during migration.
BirdReturns program regions
North America has lost an estimated 17 million shorebirds in the last 50 years. As indicator species, their decline signals deeper ecosystem stress — including water scarcity, habitat fragmentation, and climate-driven shifts in migration timing.
These regions represent where BirdReturns works with landowners and managers to provide short-term, high-value habitat at the times birds need it most. By activating both wetlands and agricultural landscapes across the Valley, the program helps rebuild a functional migratory network in a landscape where permanent wetlands alone are no longer enough.