Protecting the Threatened Snowy Plover
Funding native planting projects has the dual impact of helping safeguard nesting habitat for the western snowy plover, a tiny shorebird that over-winters at Doran Beach. The small flock is thought to represent nearly half of the Sonoma County plover population. With the help of the US Fish and Wildlife Service guiding the monitoring and management plan, the western snowy plover population is making a recovery! The most recent surveys estimate a population size of over 3,500 breeding snowy plovers on the west coast! The Parks Foundation has helped fund interpretive signs and seasonal fencing to ensure that western snowy plover have a safe place to thrive.
Funding native planting projects has the dual impact of helping safeguard nesting habitat for the western snowy plover, a tiny shorebird that over-winters at Doran Beach. The small flock is thought to represent nearly half of the Sonoma County plover population. With the help of the US Fish and Wildlife Service guiding the monitoring and management plan, the western snowy plover population is making a recovery! The most recent surveys estimate a population size of over 3,500 breeding snowy plovers on the west coast! The Parks Foundation has helped fund interpretive signs and seasonal fencing to ensure that western snowy plover have a safe place to thrive.
Building upon the important work that has already been done, the Parks Foundation will provide funding for a new pilot project to provide additional protection for these endangered shorebirds. This new volunteer docent program at Doran Beach Regional Park will strive to build bridges between beach visitors and the local wildlife who call the sand their home. Volunteers will engage with visitors from a dedicated location in the park and focus on helping facilitate relationships between visitors and the coast. Through outreach and conversations, volunteers will help visitors understand human impact on the birds, and expand their care of the plover habitat, other shorebirds, and native plants.
Parks Foundation funds will support a volunteer coordinator who will implement the pilot program, as well as train and supervise volunteer docents and park staff. The funds will also enhance outreach materials, provide additional bilingual support, upgrade protective equipment for plovers, and design a more robust program for future seasons.
Parks Foundation funds will support a volunteer coordinator who will implement the pilot program, as well as train and supervise volunteer docents and park staff. The funds will also enhance outreach materials, provide additional bilingual support, upgrade protective equipment for plovers, and design a more robust program for future seasons.
