The Western Snowy Plover, a bird with a threatened population, could be called the fluffiest nominee for this year's Bird of the Year award. This beach-dweller is not only cute, it is also a powerful reminder of the strength of the Audubon network.

Audubon California provides a comprehensive resource for information, education and community involvement around the Western Snowy Plover. The hope is to encourage people to learn about plovers and how they can help save them and their habitat. For public agencies, Audubon chapters, organizations and landowners involved with plover recovery, the project aims to promote communication and partnerships that will make recovery efforts more effective.

If you want to raise awareness about the plight of the Western Snowy Plover by making it the Bird of the Year, vote now.

(Photo by Alan Vernon)