The California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation (Foundation) is happy to announce a collaboration between Bid4Birds and BirdReturns. We will work together, with funding from both the Foundation and the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, to incentivize habitat for early migrating waterbirds this late summer and early fall.

The Bid4Birds and BirdReturns Programs focus on extending the flooding period in rice fields for the benefit of waterbirds, particularly shorebirds. While the standard winter flooding period is beneficial for many migrating waterbirds on the Pacific Flyway, there are a variety of species that arrive in the late summer or early fall when most rice fields are growing rice and marshes are dry. Providing flooded habitat during this time is especially critical.

In the fall, Bid4Birds provides incentive payments for growers to implement shallow flooding on their rice fieldsfor 3-4 weeks between July 15 and October 7. The Foundation solicits participants through an auction in which growers submit bids based on an assessment oftheir costs to provide this critical habitat. The Bid4BirdsHabitat Selection Committee, including representatives from California Rice Commission, CDFW, AudubonCalifornia, Point Blue Conservation Science, and The Nature Conservancy, will assess bids in a standardized way using data on when and where birds need the habitat most.

Bids can be submitted through the Foundation website from May 15 to June 10, 2025.

If you have any questions about the program or would just like to learn more, please visit the Bid4Birds webpage or contact Kristin Sesser, Wildlife Programs Manager with the California Rice Commission at (916) 607-8988 or ksesser@calrice.org.