Long Island Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Federal Protection of Piping Plovers

Plovers nesting on Long Island’s Shores; birds making a comeback.

Cold Spring Harbor, NY—June 12, 2006—This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Piping plover’s listing under the Endangered Species Act, a designation that has brought great success in reversing the plight of these birds. This summer, events will be held across Long Island to commemorate the success of this species and to educate the public about what they can do to help protect these and other beach-dependent species.

Piping plovers are small, migratory shorebirds that nest on Long Island beaches from April through August.

“Over the past 20 years, recovery efforts have had a great benefit to Piping plovers, which have been steadily increasing in number,” said Joseph Jannsen, director of The Nature Conservancy’s Coastal Species Recovery Program. “By protecting the beach habitat that plovers rely on, we have also benefited other coastal species, such as the federally-threatened plant, seabeach amaranth.”

The number of plovers pairs observed on Long Island was 386 pairs in 2003, the highest since the species was listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1986, continuing the long-term upward trend observed on Long Island. The local trend mirrors the Atlantic Coast Population numbers. When the piping plover was listed in 1986, there were only 790 pairs known along the Atlantic Coast, compared to a high count of 1690 pairs in 2002.

“Long Island hosts about 20 percent of the plovers on the East Coast, the second highest state total, only exceeded by Massachusetts,” said Peter A. Scully, Regional Director, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. “More than a dozen organizations have been working to inform the public of the importance of protecting this imperiled species, while diligently locating, fencing posting and protecting plover nesting areas across Long Island.”

Plover recovery requires the cooperation of a host of federal, state and county agencies, local government, private organizations, beachfront homeowners and beach goers.

“The support of the beach-going public is a critical element of protection. The birds are making a comeback, indicating that people and wildlife can coexist,” said Rosemarie Gnam, Supervisor of the Long Island Field Office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“We are improving communications and coordinating management and monitoring as we continue recovering this species,” continued Jannsen. “With increased effort we can safeguard this vital piece of our natural heritage for generations to come.”

For additional information regarding the progress of piping plover recovery visit the following events and locations:

•Sunday, June 18th, 10:00 am-4:00pm, Robert Moses State Park, Field 4. A walk is planned for 1:30 pm to observe Piping plovers.

•Saturday, July 15th, 12pm-4pm Meschutt Beach County Park, Hampton Bays.

•Saturday, August 5th, 12pm-4pm Cupsogue Beach County Park, Westhampton.

•Saturday, August 19th, 12pm-4pm Smith Point County Park, Shirley.

Look for a display at the Jones Beach 4th of July Fireworks Show and for additional events coming to a beach near you!