Volunteers Needed

Conservation Project on Ormond Beach

Every year, from March to September, birds come to Ventura County to nest on our beaches. Two species of particular concern are the SNOWY PLOVER and LEAST TERN, who have been placed on the Endangered Species List due to the destruction of their habitat for human uses.

SNOWY PLOVERS and LEAST TERNS require wide, ungroomed sandy beaches backed by dunes. This type of habitat has become increasingly rare because of coastal development, and what remains is not treated well by our species. Invasive species such as iceplant and european beachgrass grow in dense thickets, choking out native plants which grow more sparsely. This further marginalizes and fragments the remaining habitat available to these rare birds.

Dogs off leash roam the dunes, scaring the birds off their nests in the sand and exposing the eggs to the elements. Chicks are trampled by unwary hikers and bicyclists, and nests are abandoned from careless kite-flying which to the birds looks like a looming predator.

People just don’t know about the birds. They’re difficult to spot, but once aware of them, you’ll never see the beach the same way again. It becomes a habitat, not only to many species of birds, but to plants, insects, mammals, crustaceans, molluscs, fish, and algae.

We need people who’d like to learn to see the beach in this way to become docents and help educate everybody who comes to the beach to appreciate its many wonders. We currently need volunteers on Ormond Beach. If you’re interested contact me and we’ll schedule a time for training.