Dr. Andrea Willey has spent her career mastering the art of precision. As a board-certified Dermatologic Surgeon, she has pioneered advancements in reconstructive surgery, aesthetic medicine, and skin cancer prevention. But outside the operating room, Dr. Willey has always been drawn to the natural world—especially the American River, where she spent her childhood summers rafting, swimming, and exploring. In August 2023, this lifelong connection to the river took a profound turn when she witnessed a Great Blue Heron perish after becoming entangled in fishing line. That tragic moment sparked an urgent mission: to prevent unnecessary fishing gear injuries in waterbirds. By the very next day, the Waterbird Habitat Project was born.
From Local Effort to Widespread Impact
What began as a small group of volunteers cleaning up fishing gear at Mile11N has evolved into a full-scale conservation effort. Under Dr. Willey’s leadership, the project quickly identified high-risk areas where fishing gear accumulates, creating a widespread threat to waterbirds, beavers, and other wildlife. Engaging with anglers and river-goers, the Waterbird Habitat Project developed a free snag retrieval service and installed fishing line recycling receptacles to encourage responsible angling. Alongside Sacramento County Parks, volunteers manually removed thousands of pounds of invasive water primrose teeming with discarded fishing gear. Meanwhile, ongoing collaboration with California Wildlife Encounters, Project Pick Up Fishing Line, and Sacramento Heron and Egret Rescue has led to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured waterbirds, giving a second chance to the lucky few that survive encounters with abandoned gear.
Expanding to Protect California’s Waterbirds
Despite hundreds of hours spent removing gear, the injuries and fatalities continued, highlighting the need for a broader approach. In September 2024, Dr. Willey presented solutions to the California Fish and Game Commission, receiving overwhelming support. This momentum led to the formation of an advisory board—including anglers, conservationists, and community leaders—to develop a statewide campaign promoting safe angling practices. With the endorsement of the California Department of Fish and Game Commission and the Sacramento Recreation and Park Commission, the Waterbird Habitat Project is now working to launch an awareness initiative across the state, ensuring that waterbirds beyond the American River are protected. As the project continues to grow, so does its impact. With a dedicated team and unwavering support from the community, the mission is clear: to safeguard the wildlife of California’s waterways for generations to come.