Audubon chapters in California have been essential to protecting the Western Snowy Plover, an imperiled bird that is listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Now, one chapter that has been pivotal for monitoring and protecting the Western Snowy Plover on Los Angeles County beaches needs help from the public to keep its efforts going.

For several years, the chapter has been receiving funding through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to support important monitoring that guides the bird’s conservation. Now, after this funding seemed to be on track for renewal, this federal funding has been canceled. The chapter is seeking funds from the public to pay for this important program.

This is a critical time for the Western Snowy Plover in Southern California. In 2017, for the first time in nearly 70 years, Western Snowy Plovers nested on Los Angeles County beaches.

This funding supports permitted biologists which conduct roost and nest surveys on a monthly basis targeting known plover roost sites in Los Angeles County. Should nests be detected, these biologists will coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies to implement protective enclosures and install nest ex-closures to keep dogs and people off the nests.

The chapter has set up a crowdfunding site to solicit funds – we encourage folks to donate.