Audubon Society Endorses Wildlife Corridor

From Ronald Barnes, President of the
Conejo Valley Audubon Society:

"The Board of Directors of the Conejo Valley Audubon Society has voted to endorse the plan to construct a wildlife corridor over Highway 101 in the area between Liberty Canyon and Chesebro Roads. We feel that the preservation of the Chesebro Meadow is vital to this project and helps to preserve the annual grassland sub-ecosystem for the generations to follow. This is the last area that can link the Simi Hills to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMNRA) providing biodiversity and extended range not only for the mountain lion but other species.

The Meadow provides habitat for at least one State fully-protected wildlife species. The white-tailed kite is considered to have potential to occur within this area (U.S. 101/Palo Comado Canyon Road Interchange Project Natural Environment Study, Agoura Hills May 2011). Indeed, white-tailed kites frequent this area during the winter and have nested in the adjacent residential vacant land area (personal sighting March 2014). According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s California Natural Diversity Database, other fully protected species that have been documented close to the Meadow are burrowing owls and rufous-crowned sparrows. The natural grassland support other sparrow species, western meadowlarks, mule tailed deer, and coyotes. In addition, there are 12 non-listed species that have potential for occurrence identified within the Interchange Project study area.

We, The Conejo Valley Audubon Society, give our support to all agencies and organizations who share our united goal - the preservation of Chesebro Meadow and potentially the last remaining wildlife corridor in the area. We believe this will also bring the support of Audubon California and the National Audubon Society, as this is more than just a local issue, benefiting all who enjoy SMNRA and the diversity this park needs for perpetuity."