Boreal Songbird Initiative : Canada's Boreal Forest

Report Finds Millions of Birds will be Lost from Tar Sands Development

North America's Boreal Forest

Every spring more than half of America’s birds flock to the Canadian Boreal
forest to nest. There, just a few square miles of forests, lakes, river valleys,
and wetlands in the Boreal can support as many as 600 breeding pairs of
migratory birds. Yet almost all the biggest oil companies are mining and
drilling important Boreal forest and wetlands—that could eventually cover
an area the size of Florida—to access thick, low-grade petroleum. Canada
and the United States must protect migratory birds and bird habitat from
this new form of high-impact energy development.

The report covers the various ways tar sands development affects bird populations, including:

-Habitat Loss
-Tailings Ponds and Oiled Birds
-Fragmentation of Habitat from Drilling
-Water Withdrawals
-Air and Water Toxins
-High Emissions and Global Warming

Executive Summary >
Full Report >

Selected Media Coverage

	The Globe and Mail: Tar sands threatens millions of birds, report says
	Reuters: Canada oil sands seen threatening millions of birds
	Canadian Press: Oilsands development could lead to 166 million fewer songbirds: new study
	Calgary Herald: Oilsands killing birds, habitat, report says

Media Contacts :

Josh Mogerman, NRDC
(312)780-7424 (office) or (773)853-5384 (mobile)
jmogerman@nrdc.org

Lisa McCrummen, Boreal Songbird Initiative
(206)321-9461
lisa@borealbirds.org

Simon Dyer, Pembina Institute
(403)322-3937
simond@pembina.org

Supporting Fact Sheets :

The Boreal Forest: Bird Nursery of the North by Boreal Songbird Iniative

Canada's Tar Sands: America's #1 Source of Oil Has Dangerous Global Consequences by the International Boreal Conservation Campaign

Background Articles:

Canada’s Tar Sands: Overview of Size and Environmental Degradation

“Green Leaves, Black Gold,” Globe and Mail, 12/15/07
“Oil Sands Boom Swamps the Canadian Wilderness,” Guardian Unlimited, 7/20/08

Damage to Water Quality

“Oil or Water?” London Free Press, 6/19/08

US Demand Spurs Tar Sands Expansions

“Enbridge Begins Work on Expansion,” Calgary Herald, 8/28/08
“Canada’s Got Oil, but Production Raises Concern,” St. Louis Today, 10/12/08

The Boreal Forest: Bird Sanctuary in the North, but Birds Still Needing Protection

“For Billions of Birds, an Endangered Haven,” New York Times, 9/23/2003

Birds in Canada and Around the World Not Receiving Enough Protection

“Black Clouds on the Horizon for Birds Around the World,” Globe and Mail, 9/23/08
“Alberta Birds part of Worldwide Decline: Report,” Edmonton Journal, 9/22/08

Birds Like the Canada Warbler in Steep Decline, but Many Aren’t Noticing

“Canada Warbler,” Daily Observer, 9/15/08
“Canadian’s Didn’t See Green and Vote Red,” Vancouver Sun, 10/16/08

Tailings Ponds: Toxic Waste from Tar Sands Killing Ducks, Alberta’s Reputation

“Only Five out of 500 Ducks Survive Tailings Pond Disaster,” Vancouver Sun, 5/1/08
“Groups Warn of More Bird Deaths in Oilsands Ponds,” Toronto Star, 5/2/08

Alberta Worried About Reputation, Spends Money on Public Relations over Solutions

“Birds and Tar Sands,” Edmonton Journal, 5/1/08
“Alberta Rejects Inquiry into Death of Ducks,” Globe and Mail, 5/5/08
“Dead Birds Draw Embarrassing Attention to Alberta’s Oilsands,” Vancouver Sun,
5/5/08

No One Falling for Public Relations Blitz, Still Lacking Answers

“Alberta’s Oilsands Industry Needs to Clean Up its Act,” Edmonton Journal, 5/6/08
“Stricter Penalties Needed,” Globe and Mail, 9/12/08

Conclusion: Tar Sands Killing Birds and Destroying Habitat, More Protection Needed

“Environmentalists Seek Boreal Forest Protection,” Business Edge, 11/14/08

High-Resolution Images :
Please contact David Childs before using any of the high-resolution images below for permissions. He can be contacted by phone (206)905-4801 or by email at davidc@borealbirds.org.