The threatened marbled murrelet is a small seabird which flies inland to nest on the mossy limbs of old-growth trees. During the past century California's murrelet population dropped from 60,000 to approximately 4,000 individuals. Pacific Lumber's ancient redwood groves in Humboldt County are one of three remaining nesting areas in California.
Biologist C.J. Ralph states, "I have seen no bird as closely tied to a forest type. They are entirely dependent on old-growth." According to Ralph, the murrelet's breeding success rate in California is too low to keep up with mortality, and the probability of extinction is high. According to wildlife biologist Kim Nelson, "The location and habitat characteristics of the Headwaters Forest, coupled with the fact that little suitable habitat remains in the historic range of the species in California, make the acquisition and preservation of the Headwaters Forest key to the survival and recovery of the murrelet in California."
- Endangered seabird could lose protection (September 2, 2004)
U.S. ruling on marbled murrelet
The San Francisco Chronicle. The Bush administration issued a decision Wednesday that environmentalists said would weaken protection for the marbled murrelet, an elusive seabird.
- Marbled murrelet decision may muddle species' status (September 2, 2004)
The Eureka Times-Standard
- Bush Administration Moves to Drop Murrelet Protections (September 1, 2004)
Government Seeks to Open Rare Ancient Forests to Logging
Portland, OR - In a move that heralds increased coastal old-growth logging, the Bush administration today redefined the population of marbled murrelets in Washington, Oregon, and northern California in prepa...
- Report Shows Imminent Extinction for Forest-Dependent Seabird (May 5, 2004)
Interior Department Concealed Study, Now Delaying Action
A scientific report commissioned by the Bush Administration shows the marbled murrelet, a robin-sized seabird that nests only in old-growth forests, is in greater danger of extinction than previously known. ...
- Injunction Sought To Protect Highly Endangered Seabird and Ancient Redwood Forests (December 21, 2001)
Marbled Murrelet Faces Impending Extinction In California
Eureka, CA - Seeking to protect thousands of acres of old growth redwood forests and a critically endangered seabird, the Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) and Sierra Club filed a motion for...
- Owl Creek: A Historic EPIC Success Story (March 1, 2001)
EPIC has repeatedly pulled important victories out of desperate situations. The expansion of Sinkyone Wilderness State Park and the recent acquisitions around Gilham Butte were both largely possible because ...
- State Challenge to the Terms of Headwaters Deal (March 31, 1999)
EPIC and Sierra Club v. CDF and Pacific Lumber - Nelson's Comment Letter (November 12, 1998)
Kim Nelson's comments on the impacts of Pacific Lumber's Habitat Conservation Plan to the Marbled Murrelet
- Chart of Marbled Murrelet Habitat Approved for Logging
- EPIC Mounts Last Ditch Effort to Save Marbled Murrelet from Extinction in California
Prior to the arrival of Europeans and the beginning of the aggressive logging of California’s ancient forests, the North Coast was covered with a blanket of contiguous ancient redwoods from Big Sur to the Or...
- Pacific Biodiversity Institute's information sheet on the Marbled Murrelet
