Plover nests usually contains three tiny eggs, which are camouflaged to look like sand and are extremely difficult to see. Photo: USFWS Pacific Southwest Region.

Historically, western snowy plovers were widely distributed along the Pacific coast, but in recent years their populations have steeply declined and they are now listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and endangered by Washington State. Climate change is placing these and other beach-nesting birds in further jeopardy, as rising sea levels threaten to inundate their habitat.

Today, Washington’s only population of western snowy plovers nest along a 60-mile stretch of ocean beach in the Seashore Conservation Area, extending from the mouth of the Columbia River to the southern boundary of the Quinault Indian Reservation—an area managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.  But severe budget shortfalls are making it increasingly difficult for State Parks to continue their important work—placing plovers and many more wildlife in peril.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Lisa Lantz, Stewardship Program Manager at the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, who has worked with western snowy plovers for more than 11 years:

What do you see as the biggest threats to the survival and recovery of western snowy plovers?

Habitat loss is the biggest threat. When you visit our beaches, you see a series of dunes, but those did not historically form here. In the early 20^th century, the Natural Resources Conservation Service introduced non-native invasive plants, including European beachgrass, to bind the sand and form the dunes. This caused loss of habitat for snowy plovers, which need unvegetated, open sand above high tide for nesting.

Human activities such as jogging, running pets, and kite flying can frighten plovers and destroy nests, which are very difficult to see. These disturbances, along with garbage left on the beaches which attracts nest predators such as crows and ravens, are key factors in the ongoing decline in breeding sites and populations.

What are the conservation efforts that State Parks is working on to protect western snowy plovers?

For the last decade, State Parks has worked cooperatively with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to recover and protect western snowy plovers. We have been posting signs and putting up fencing in nesting areas, which are effective in discouraging people from disturbing important habitat for plovers.

We’ve also recently begun restoration work that includes removing invasive dune grasses that encroach upon the open sandy areas plovers need for nesting.

How have budget cuts already impacted State Parks’ work and what impacts would further cuts have?

Some of our Beach Ranger positions have already been eliminated and we expect to see additional staff reductions and potentially closure of some parks unless we receive funding to support our core operations. Beach Rangers are critical to restoring and protecting plover nests, educating the public, and organizing volunteer efforts. Without additional support, we cannot maintain our parks, which will have a cascading effect on our natural resources and wildlife throughout the state.

The work to protect and recover western snowy plovers is just one example of many important services that State Parks provides all across the state. But without adequate funding for the agency to continue their work, these unique habitats and species are at risk of disappearing forever.

Live in Washington? Help protect western snowy plovers by urging your state legislators to support critical funding for Washington’s state parks.

Columbus Statehouse | flickr / radsu

Spring has finally arrived in Ohio! What a beautiful time to get outside again, work in the garden, walk in the woods, and enjoy the treasure of natural resources Ohio has to offer. We really are very fortunate in our state to have such a wide array of state parks, wildlife preservers, and scenic rivers to enjoy close to home.

Please join me on Tuesday, May 17th. We will be celebrating “We Love Our Parks, We Love Clean Water Day” on the lawn of the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus from 10am -4pm.

I have spent the last few months, as I’m sure you have, ready to toss the jacket aside and feel some grass between my toes. One of my favorite things to do every spring is to hike at Hocking Hills State Park and Old Man’s Caves. Now, I take my 12-year old daughter with me and I feel like I get to see it all again for the first time.

What is really upsetting to me is that there are very serious efforts in the state legislature right now to strip away some of the natural beauty we have all been waiting to enjoy. As you may have heard, there is language in the state budget bill being debated right now that would open up our state parks, nature preserves, and other protected lands to oil and natural gas drilling.

Fish, wildlife, and water resources found on Ohio’s state parks and preserves are extremely valuable, and are growing more so each day as private lands become developed. As hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts, National Wildlife Federation members know that protecting wildlife habitat is crucial to maintaining wildlife populations that sustain hunting and fishing activities.

In fact, those of us who enjoy the outdoors contribute in excess of $10 billion to conservation through excise tax and licensing revenue, which provides 80% of the funding to most state fish and wildlife agencies each year. We have a vested interest in keeping our parks system strong.

That is why it is so important that we attend “We Love Our Parks, We Love Clean Water Day” on the lawn of the Ohio Statehouse from 10am-4pm on Tuesday, May 17th. If you can join us, please email me at tsabetta@initiativeohio.com.

As funding cuts and gas drilling threaten our parks, show Ohio leaders that you care about our natural treasures by enjoying the outdoors at the “people’s house.” Bring blankets, friends, and recreational equipment like Frisbees, footballs, and more! The event will feature a picnic, games, information booths, a press conference with some of our legislative champions, music, and much more. Rain or shine — so bring your ponchos!