Nature connection, Connecting with our endangered neighbors

A plastic water bottle cap. Quarter-sized chunks of blue, pink, yellow and red plastic. Red fishing line. Green fishing line. White fishing line. Styrofoam. What is the nature connection to these objects?

In preparation for the new Endangered Neighbors exhibit at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, I volunteered to sort through the stomach contents collected from Black-footed albatrosses. Through the faint smell of fish and squid, I was shocked at the things I found. Mistaken for food by these great birds, plastic debris remains in the stomachs of the animals, reducing space available for food to be carried to their chicks, and causing the birds to suffocate and die of starvation. This is one of the main reasons that the population of black-footed albatross is estimated at 120,000 and declining.

What is the status of other local species?

Closer to shore, brown pelicans glide over wave surges and plunge-dive for their prey. We can celebrate the recovery of brown pelicans, whose population is 650,000 strong and increasing.

These neighbors were removed from the endangered species list in 2009. However, some of our other near-shore neighbors are still struggling. At 2,650, the population of southern sea otters is declining, challenged by chemical pollutants in our bays and estuaries that can cause tumors. Local conservation groups are working on protecting habitat for the Western snowy plovers that nest on beaches just above the high tide line, but population estimates remain low at 1,500 individuals.

Some of our wetland neighbors are struggling too. California red-legged frogs, tiger salamanders and California long-toed salamanders have declining populations wavering at an estimated 10,000 individuals. These local species are challenged by habitat loss, pesticides and introduced species.

With awareness and concentrated efforts, we can make a difference for our endangered neighbors, as we have with the California condor, which was brought back from the brink of extinction and has 200 birds now thriving in the wild. And the bald eagle, our national bird, was removed from the endangered species list in 2007. Its population is up to 140,000, recovered from a population as low as 417 pairs in the lower 48 states.

Whether their stories are of trials or successes, these are our neighbors and, as is the culture in Santa Cruz, we want to be conscientious neighbors.

Come to the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History to learn more about these species and others as photographer Sebastian Kennerknecht brings you up close and personal with these amazing animals and their habitats.

withsteluci: Coloring Pages Eagles

Hello All - I understand from the website that the people already working in the US qualify for an emergency appointment if they are returning back to work in the US. Does anyone if this rule is also applicable it is the first time you are getting a H1-B visa stamp? I got a COS and am planning to get a stamp in December. I know that more dates are available now .. but was wondering if the need arises will I eligible for emergency appointment? does that mean no hope left ? what r the other options ? isn't this whole process is for future employment and if i am licensed now than whats the problem in future employment i don't understand that part "future employment". i am on h1 now and if i will get my residency than i will be working at that position and i am licensed now. then why does the old date matters. 2> you don't have to justify your qualifications for your EB category. Say, a three year degree and some diploma/certification for EB3 and four year degree and questionable experience for EB2 or a four year degree with diploma/cert that qualifies as masters...Especially Eb2 you have to be careful...Since most jobs doesnt require Eb2 but people apply thru that because they have masters or Bachelors plus five....Don't get me wrong on this...I've seen people in EB2 category doing QA testing. I agree, there are many EB2 that do advanced work....and not just software application development/management. I was on H-1 and got laid off on July 23. I filed for COS to H4 online on the same day and got the electronic receipt the same day. As I had filed I-539 after work hours, the receipt shows that USCIS received my application on July 26 instead of 23. I got the paper receipt in next 3 days. I hope this will not create any problems as my employer sent notification to USCIS on July 31 and I received my last paystub on July 31 though it was only till July 23. I have been working in US with good status for last 5 years. 2) Second question is that the second employer wants me to start immediately after I get H1 receipt. Am I eligible to work on a receipt with my situation or do I need to wait for the complete approval ? What if I get an RFE ? As this is a consulting firm, they have work order from end client for only 3 months and it will be renewed after every 3 months. Will this 3 month work order will create any problems ?

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