
The California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation is a partnership between rice farmers and waterbird conservation groups. Working closely with the California Rice Commission, the Foundation encourages the adoption of farming practices that benefit waterbirds. At Mary’s Organic Crackers, we’re in our second decade of partnership with the Foundation. In this role, not only do we source much of the rice we bake into our crackers from California Rice Commission farmers, we provide ongoing support to the California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation as it pursues its vital mission.
Wildlife conservation programs managed by the California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation and the California Rice Commission have effectively transformed hundreds of thousands of acres of rice fields into seasonal wetland habitats for waterbirds.
“Corporate sustainability has become increasingly critical in this day and age,” said Paul Buttner, the Foundation’s Chairman & Executive Director. “It’s companies like Mary’s Organic Crackers that remain committed to sustainable manufacturing practices year after year who will have a positive and tangible impact on the environment.”
California’s ricelands provide habitats for over 200 species of wildlife, including several of conservation concern. These ricelands also support millions of birds that migrate up and down the Pacific Flyway, a migratory corridor extending from the Arctic down to Patagonia. When managed properly, these fields can provide a fortifying domain for a wide variety of species all year long.
Mary’s Organic Crackers plans to continue sourcing rice and other ingredients sustainably to minimize our ecological footprint and achieve our long-standing goal of manufacturing delicious, sustainably sourced snacks.