2010 Annual Report - Ventana Wildlife Society

Ventana Wildlife Society2010 Annual ReportApril 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010

Our Mission:CONSERVING NATIVE WILDLIFEAND THEIR HABITATSVentana Wildlife Society is a non-profitorganization dedicated to the survivaland health of California’s native wildlife.We were instrumental in the successfulreintroduction of the Bald Eagle toCentral California, and are nowworking to restore a wild populationof California Condors.Never doubt that a small group of thoughtfullycommitted citizens can change the world....Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has!- Margaret MeadOur long-term research and monitoringprograms track key populations andhabitats to support the continued healthof a rich diversity of wildlife species.Ventana Wildlife Society’s extensivepublic education programs focus onserving youth. Through fun, hands-onexperiences, we inspire a life-long loveof nature and build the capacity forinformed environmental stewardship.3

V e n t a n a W i l d l i f e S o c i e t yContentsA Message From Our Executive Director and Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Our Missio3Ventana Wildlife Society Staff, Board of Directors, Board of Advisors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Monitoring the Restored Bald Eagle Population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Restoring California Condors to Central California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Central California Condor Population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Tracking and Monitoring Wild Bird Populations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Educating Future Generations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Reducing Threats to Wild Birds and Bats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Protecting Least Terns and Snowy Plovers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 .High-Tech Condors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Thank You for Supporting Ventana Wildlife Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Legacy18Appreciation Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Statement of Financial Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 Ventana Wildlife SocietyStaffKelly Sorenson - Executive DirectorJoe Burnett - Senior Wildlife BiologistSayre Flannagan - Wildlife BiologistCathy Hamilton - Executive AssistantAlena Porte - Education CoordinatorMike Stake - Senior Wildlife BiologistMike Tyner - Wildlife BiologistBoard of DirectorsJanet Shing - ChairVirdette L Brumm PhD - SecretaryRachelle Onishi CPA - TreasurerAlison BarrattSarah M BerlingSandy DeckerMark DedonBill KampeBoard of AdvisorsBruce ElliottWilliam R Hearst IIILucinda Jackson PhDWalt Koenig PhDAda LucidoSalvatore LucidoTom Mallett JDBette MayerMichael Murray DVMJames Roush DVMRobert StephensMark Stromberg PhDElizabeth Van Dyke PhDGeneral CounselWendy Buck JDConsulting VeterinarianAmy Wells DVM

DDT (contained in marine mammalcarcasses). Our California Condorrecovery program employs a team ofdedicated biologists and volunteers totrack the flock and provide testing andcare when needed. In some cases,prompt treatment for lead poisoninghas saved the lives of condors.Our California Condor recovery programis not limited to monitoring. VentanaWildlife Society biologists are researchingeggshell thickness and the effects of thetoxic compound DDE. Condors along thecentral coast have become increasinglyproficient at locating sea lion carcasses,which contain high levels of DDE. Currentlevels of eggshell thinning prevent somecondors from producing young in the wildwithout intervention from our monitoringteam; such a problem poses a threat tothe flock becoming truly self-sustaining.We are currently studying the associationof condor eggshell thinning trends andmarine contaminants. We recentlysubmitted a summary of research resultsto a scientific journal, and we anticipatethis manuscript contributing greatly to theconservation of the California Condor. C e n t r a l C a l i f o r n i aC o n d o r P o p u l a t i o n For detailed condor population information, please visit www.ventanaws.org.7

Goal:Keep common birds common. Ventana WildlifeSociety monitors wild populations of birds inCentral California to identify declines before theybecome critical or irreversible.Ventana Wildlife Society monitors wild birdpopulations throughout Monterey County.We have operated a bird banding lab since1992 at Andrew Molera State Park alongthe Big Sur coast. We capture, band, andrelease hundreds of migrating and residentsongbirds each year to determine populationtrends, identify movement patterns, and studysurvival. Recently, we calculated trends over a17-year period for several riparian specialists,including Warbling Vireo, a species for whichwe have documented local declines.Tracking and Monitoring Wild Bird PopulationsThrough monitoring, we can promptlyidentify factors responsible for declinesand recommend appropriate managementresponses.Ventana Wildlife Society’s banding lab is oneof the few stations that provides unrestrictedpublic access, helping to educate the public,especially young people, about theimportance of wildlife conservation.Elsewhere, we work with a variety of partnersto monitor birds. In 2009, we continuedannual point count surveys for Santa LuciaConservancy at the Santa Lucia Preservein Carmel Valley. Grassland, riparian, andraptor surveys helped assess the currentstatus of several bird species of concern.We also surveyed birds along the CarmelRiver to evaluate how the restoration effortsof Monterey Peninsula Water ManagementDistrict have affected bird populations.In 2008, wildfires ravaged a portion of LosPadres National Forest along the Big Surcoast, raising concern for local wildlife,including California Spotted Owl. Under acontract with the USDA Forest Service, weconducted California Spotted Owl surveysat 250 locations in the forest. By comparingdetections in 2009 with results from oursurveys at the same locations in 2006, wedocumented a decline in Spotted Owlnumbers in the surveyed area andprovided current distribution data to helpensure the protection of remaining owls.9

of 10 weeks (spring and fall sessionsare offered). We also offer Single-DayAdventures and Condor WildernessCamps for teens. We strive to createmeaningful experiences that generatean interest in learning.Our programs enable youth to connectwith nature, whether it is a seven year-oldhome school student who is journalingthe tracks of a Wild Turkey or a sixteenyear-old at-risk teen who is standing on thebeach gazing at the waves for the first timein her life. Students build understandingand awareness of the natural world;they are encouraged to care about theenvironment and look for ways to makean impact. In return, nature providesopportunities, challenges, and in somecases...healing.11

Reducing Threats to Wild Birds and BatsGoal:Reduce bird fatalities associated with overhead wires and windturbines through research, education, and collaboration withgovernment and industry.patterns, we can evaluate relative risksassociated with wind energy structures.Our substantial experience trackingCalifornia Condors and mappingmovement patterns allows us to identifyareas of high risk for this criticallyendangered species. Less is knownabout risks to other birds and the diverseassemblage of bats at proposed sites.In 2009, the City of Soledad contractedVentana Wildlife Society to study birdand bat use of two sites proposed forwind energy development. We purchasedAnabat ultrasonic detectors and haverecorded numerous bats at night.Daytime surveys included weekly...withAnabatultrasonicdetectors, wehave recordednumerous batsat night.counts of birds, particularly those flying atthe potential height of rotor blades. Uponcompletion in 2010, our study will helpthe City of Soledad identify species mostat risk, along with temporal and spatialfactors influencing risk.Bird collisions and electrocutions atpower lines remain a significant problemfor wild bird populations worldwide.Ventana Wildlife Society continues towork closely with power companies andgovernment agencies to prevent birddeaths through research, monitoring, andconsultation. Much remains to be done,and we are working to develop a broadcooperative approach to the problem.Hoary Bat in the hand of a Ventana Wildlife Society biologistWind has become one of the fastest growing sources ofrenewable energy. Although wind-generated electricityis considered environmentally friendly, there is growingconcern over the effects of wind energy facilities onbirds and bats. By studying bird and bat movement12

Protecting Least Terns and Snowy Ploversare managing plover and tern nesting areasat the park by monitoring predator activity,identifying individual predators posing athreat to reproductive success, andrelocating those individuals.In 2009, six Loggerhead Shrikes, fiveAmerican Kestrels, two Great Horned Owls,and two Peregrine Falcons were trappedat Oceano Dunes and safely transported tosuitable habitat elsewhere. Human activitieshave greatly reduced the amount of suitablebeach nesting habitat for plovers and terns;relocating some of the predators gives thelocal plovers and terns a fighting chance forpopulations to recover.Ventana Wildlife Society partnerswith The Bird Group, a non-profitorganization formed from the SantaCruz Predatory Bird ResearchGroup, to protect Snowy Ploversand California Least Terns in coastalCalifornia.The Bird Group has addressednumerous issues concerning theconservation of birds of prey,most notably the recovery ofPeregrine Falcons in California andneighboring states. In some cases,populations of endangered orthreatened birds are at risk becauseof predation by birds of prey.Ventana Wildlife Society andThe Bird Group are now teaming upto not only protect the birds of prey,but the birds that are prey.Snowy Plovers and CaliforniaLeast Terns nest on the beachesof Oceano Dunes State VehicularRecreation Area, a parkencompassing nearly 5,000 acresof coastal sand dunes and 9 milesof coastline in San Luis ObispoCounty. Fenced enclosures helplimit human-caused disturbance, butbirds of prey, particularly falcons,harriers, and shrikes, were regularlyobserved hunting plovers and terns,and depredating nests. VentanaWildlife Society and The Bird GroupVentana Wildlife Societyand The Bird Groupare teaming upto not onlyprotect thebirds of prey,but the birdsthat prey.13

High-Tech Condors14

Ventana Wildlife Society has used GPS transmitters oncondors since 2003. We do this to determine the mosteffective means of recovering this species. We were the firstto use them on condors and now have a database of over150,000 records. While that seems impressive enough,we recently discovered a new transmitter to track condormovements, literally minute to minute.personnel and other related costs, it is more critical now thanever. Because we have fewer people in the field we have toimprove our efficiency to follow condors in the wild. The newGPS transmitters will help us to better understand the problemsthe condors face and find solutions for their comeback.MontereyThe most effective way to find hazards is to obtain accuratelocations as frequently as possible. The old GPS technologyyielded about 10 location points per day (once per hour). Thisnew technology should give us over 1,000 location points perday (as frequently as every 30 seconds), which will enable us toanswer critical questions; where do these condors go and findfood, and is that food source safe to eat? Are there any hazardsalong the way that could lead to a fatal collision in the future?These are just a couple of the questions that we will be betterpositioned to answer with many more location points per hour.We have been searching for new technology for a while andgiven the difficult economic times and our need to cut back onBig SurPinnaclesNationalMonumentC C P P L L PER DAYCurrent GPS = 10New GPS = over 1,000NEW GPS TechnologyFMTransmiersCurrentGPS Transmiers15

Thank You forSupportingVentana WildlifeSocietyMembers and contributorsare essential to our success.Together we supportthe survival of a rich diversityof wildlife species and habitats.We are pleased to recognizeand thank the followingsupporters whocontributed $50 or moreduring the 2010 fiscal year(April 1, 2009 - March 31, 2010).We are grateful!Every gi, at every level,is so important...please supportour conservation work inany way you can.If your name is misspelled,does not appear on thisdonor list, is in aninappropriate location, orif you prefer to be listedanonymously, please acceptour sincere apologiesand let us know.$25,000-$50,000The David & Lucile PackardFoundation$25,000-$50,000Defenders of WildlifeHearst Foundation IncKinnoull FoundationMarisla FoundationMonterey PeninsulaFoundation, host of the AT&TPebble Beach NationalPro-AmPacific Gas & ElectricCompany$10,000-$24,999Anonymous (2)George B Storer FoundationHarden FoundationNational Geographic SocietyThe Dean Witter FoundationThe Robert Stephens JuliePackard Nonendowed Donor-Advised Fund at theCommunity Foundation ofSanta Cruz CountyJean and Tim WeissLeadership Circle$5,000-$9,999Anonymous (1)Barnet J Segal CharitableTrustJason & Melissa BurnettCoast Property OwnersAssociationSandy Decker & KarenMortillaroGuy and Julia HandsSal & Ada LucidoNancy Buck RansomFoundationThe May Foundation TrustThe Ruth Smart FoundationThe Shanbrom FamilyFoundationDave WeeshoffSteward$1,000-$4,999Anonymous (3)Barbara Baldock & Phillip NButlerBig Sur InternationalMarathon IncMichael Borck & KathleenBrannanMark BuchananKiwanis Club of Carmel ValleyDiageo Chateau & EstateWinesFletcher Bay FoundationFluke FoundationGeoffrey & Susan SchmidtFoundationGregory GieberIBM International FoundationEvet LoewenPaula NorwoodOakland ZooJames L & Pamela M PattersonEdward & Camille PenhoetFrank & Barbara StrehlitzThe Harrison Temporary Fundsof the Community Foundationfor Monterey CountyBlank Park ZooMutsuko & Jason Yamada &Ann Yamada-GotuacoMarsha M ZelusSponsor$500-$999Anonymous (2)Diana ArmandRichard & Karinne BauerBlaze Engineering IncDavid BrubakerRichard ChavisGlenn Claudi-Magnussen &Angela LopezLaird & Valerie DavisJudith W DavisMark & Erica DedonDeetjen’s Big Sur InnDobson Family Fund of thePrinceton Area CommunityFoundationHoward ElliottDavis & Christine FactorRobert GarnerFrancisca Hartman-KokRod & Peggy McMahanJennifer MorrisKonny MurraySteven R NakazonoSusan NewcombShirley NootbaarCecilia M PlaczekJanet ShingJohn Shott & Heidi MunzingerValera Whitford Lyles Fund ofthe Community Foundation forMonterey CountyJean D WilsonFriend$100-$499Tom & Nancy AcordStephanie & George AlmeidaAnonymous (21)Ali BarrattJoseph BeattyJoseph P BelliEdwina F BentPhil & Ruthann BerckBennett & Lorna BerkeSarah BerlingJeb Bishop & Lexi WhiteAudries BlakeMargaret J BohnPer & Eva BorgstromArthur Bourdon JrElaine A BoydLaura BrannonRonald BreuchFrances M BrodskyPatricia L BrownVirdette L Brumm PhD &Robertson Parkman PhDBetsy Buchalter AdlerGordon & Elizabeth AnnCampbellSharen Carey & Hal LattaRachel CastilloJudy CatheySteven & Karin ChaseSandra ClabaughNadine & Daniel ClarkMichael, Tracy & ChandlaClarkAdam Clark & Laura BunkerJames Cochran SrMary CrouserLynda DaleyTarasa DavisElizabeth De PaolaBruce DelgadoJim DodsonWilliam G & Nancy C DoolittleRobert & Darlene DoorlagHeather DoorlagEdith & Jeb EddyJohn & Sally EndrizFrances M FarinaJudy C FieldAndrew & Deborah Frank DDSSandra J Gant & Michael BNelsonCarla & David GarnhamDon & Lu GermanRebecca Gindin-ClarkeSusan Grant & Nory LeBrunMichael, Jyl & Kyle GrovesPatricia GusslerSandy & Hope HaleStephanie HallKathryn HannayRuth S HartmannArthur W HaseltineFrank & Jo Ellen HathawayJim & Robin HavensSteve Herman JDJoan HeroCraig Heyl & Mary Jo Allen16

Jeff HobbsLisa HoivikJeanne HolmquistMichael HummD’Ann HuthJerry Chyo Scholl, Chyo &Company Inc, A ProfessionalCorporationMatthew JohnsonSusan Johnson WilleyDouglas KidderKolsky FamilyLori KondroPatte & Butch KronlundMichael & Carolyn KulakofskyKarl & Annette KunzDenise LaBerteaux & BruceGarlingerBill & Rhonda LakatosCarol Lark PhDJT LarsonSandra LaughlinLouie & Edith LawPam LichtanskiBarry & Marie LipmanSusan Littlefield-HainesPatricia Litton & Henry JRalstonNancy LoshkajianAnne Parker & Yann LusseauMargaret K Maas & Mark THenzeKaren MadsenKatherine MalengoRev Dr Thomas C MarshallDottie MasseyColleen May & Kerry BurrowsDonna MeekerMara & Don MelandryBrenda MeltonBobbi MerchandJames MetcalfRod & Anne MillsMarlene MirassouMarcy MorganJean MyersDelight NasatirElinor NissleyTom Nootbaar & Lori BurgarzCassandra Ohlsen MDJudy ParsonsPaws of the PlanetBetty N PembertonMara & Robert PerkinsRegina PhelpsDan RademacherBarbara RainerElliott & Tey RobertsLarry & Sharon RogersMaynard B & Olga JaneRotermundLester RowntreeJennifer RycengaLynda & Robert SayreSarah ScheldwachtJeanne ScheldwachtLouise SchillerBob & Jeanne SchneiderShelley & Jeff SedersChris & John SeleckyRon ShortJane SilvaOwen SmithNancy B SouletteAudrey StimsonKatherine StrojnyBarbara & Mark Stromberg PhDJudi Taylor & Shirley BrownThe Monterey PeninsulaAudubon SocietyThe Stocker Family Fund at theCommunity Foundation ofSanta Cruz CountyJean TheisenSuzanne ThompsonLawrence ThompsonBilly TimmermeyerLonni TrykowskiJoe VelasAntonia VerleyeRichard S WeinbergMark R Wieland MDEdward Witten & Chiara RNappiKen & Mary WrightLinda YatesAssociate$50-$99Mayumi AdamsMaia AdarRola AlghosainMargie & Jason AltoAnonymous (20)Bonnie ArmelliniAlexis Ashby & George SellandJoseph BairdNancy BakerAlan & Sheila BaldridgeEileen & Jeffrey BarnumPat BittonAnn BjorklundKenley ButlerRoy CarlsonKenneth CarrierLeigh CeckaCristina ChuenRobert & Phyllis ConlanAllison ConnorLudek DadokRev Paul DanielsonJulius & Laurie De VeraCharles DeweeseClaudia DickmanMarlys C DonohueElsa DoolingBob Downs & Linda WadsworthDianne DriessenDonna EllisonScott EnglerKim ErlatGeorge & Barbara EvansSteven & Fila EvansonEllis & Margaret FernalldStephen FerryLaura FeuermanWarren FinchRichard & Flora AdachiIn 2010, donations were receivedIN HONOR of the following:Barbara BaldockAlison BarraBirdorable.comBlank Park Zoo ConservationVirdee BrummThe ClarksCondors 286 and 375Wendy A DelvalleDavid DormonJohn DukatIn 2010, donations were receivedIN MEMORY of the following:Lars Anderson JrFred BeidlemanWilliam J BuchananKellie CollinsCondor 286Lolita DovolisAdah EllioJune M GibsonGuy GrangerCarol EddyWilliam HagueKersten and Eric JonesMarj and Pete KurleNory LeBrunBarb and Paul MooreAlison and Josh PeytonStephen J ShipeChris UrriolaLucy YounkmanAnne GreenhoughKen HarrisonJeffrey HuthFrank LichtanskiJohn Francis LinoArthur MiddledorfMuiBarb NelsonChris Urriola17

Statement Of Financial Position2010 Total IncomeMarch 31, 2010 and 2009*Foundations, 42%Government Grants& Contracts, 17%$362,601$144,848••ASSETSCash and Equivalents .....................Board designated cash reserves.......Accounts Receivable ......................Deposits .......................................Property and Equipment .................TOTAL ASSETS .........................2010$80,11750,02776,8184,9331,021,0801,232,9752009$134,45250,0028,1314,383999,2011,196,169Individual Gifts, 15%Service Fees, 10%Other Income, 7%Corporations, 5%In-Kind Donations, 3%Sales, 1%TOTAL:$126,356$87,353$55,952$43,785$26,951$6,873$854,719••••••LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETSLiabilitiesAccounts Payable ..........................Accrued Liabilities ..........................Deposits.......................................Total Liabilities ..............................Net AssetsUnrestricted ..................................Temporarily Restricted ....................Permanently Restricted ...................Total Net Assets............................TOTAL LIABILITIES ANDFUND BALANCES29,1078,8802,41040,397562,57860,000570,0001,192,578...... $1,232,97525,82113,8702,41042,101529,53154,537570,0001,154,068$1,196,169* 2009 REVIEWED and 2010 REVIEW IN PROGRESSComplete financial reports are available upon request.Ventana Wildlife Society is recognized by the Internal Revenue Serviceas a 501(c)3 organization. Tax ID: 94-2795935•••••••2010 Total ExpenseSpecies Recovery, 44% $359,034Conservation Ecology, 17% $139,637Education, 14%Administration, 13%Fundraising, 7%Discovery Center, 3%Habitat Restoration, 2%TOTAL:$118,644$103,835$59,344$23,088$13,175$816,757V W S - 19045 Portola Drive, Ste F1 - Salinas, CA 93908(831) 455-9514 - fax (831) 455-2846 - www.ventanaws.orgPHOTOS BY: Mike Clark, Gavin Emmons, Geoff Hamilton,Tim Huntington, Dave Monley, Ventana Wildlife Society StaffCOVER PHOTO: California Spotted Owl BACK PHOTO: As Natural Science DiscoveryCampers paddle off to find assorted wildlife, they are welcomed by playful sea lions.PRINTED ON CERTIFIED PAPER 100% POST CONSUMER19

Ventana Wildlife Society19045 Portola Dr Ste F1Salinas CA 93908www.ventanaws.orgNon-Profit OrgBULK MAILUS PostagePAIDPermit #51Marina CA93933Ways you can help!Adopt-A-CondorBecome a memberCheck or money orderFund a student to aendNatural ScienceAwareness ProgramsJoin an Eco-experienceOnline by credit cardPlanned bequestResearch your company’sMatched Giving ProgramRecurring giSubscribe to monthly e-newsleerTell a family memberVisit our Discovery CenterVisit and supportthe bird banding labVolunteerLearn more about yourgiving opportunities atwww.ventanaws.orgor call 831-455-9514.