NPR writes about the joint project between the Nature Conservancy and California Rice Farmers. Migrating birds are very dependent on wetlands,which are often dry this year in California due to the current drought. To help the birds the Nature Conservancy is paying farmers along the Pacific Flyway to keep their fields flooded for longer periods this winter to create temporary wetlands.
Rice farmers normally keep their fields flooded through January to help with decomposing rice straw from the previous season. With this program fields stay wet longer and birds have more habitat.
Read more at: Amid California Drought, Migrating Birds Enjoy Pop-Up Cuisine : NPR.
Natural History Wanderings 
[…] The New York Times has a story on the success of the BirdReturns program. It is a program in which migrating birds are assisted by paying farmers to keep their rice fields flooded in the California Central Valley to help migrating birds. See earlier story “Pop-up” Wetlands Help Migrating Birds. […]
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By: BirdReturns Program Helps Migrating Birds | Natural History Wanderings on May 27, 2014
at 6:24 AM