Pennsylvania Piping Plover Fest

Join the Pennsylvania Piping Plover & Common Tern Recovery Partnership as we celebrate 10 years of piping plovers nesting in Pennsylvania! 

In Pennsylvania, the return of the piping plover to Presque Isle is a powerful sign of hope. It shows that when people work together and use science-based conservation, we can help wildlife recover. The plover’s comeback has become a symbol of what’s possible when communities, habitat managers, educators, and decision-makers all play a role in protecting our state’s threatened and endangered species.

Agenda:

Saturday, July 18th

• 1:00 - 3:00 pm: Free! Our Threatened & Endangered Species: Piping Plovers and Expert Panel Discussion. Join us for introductory remarks from special guests and the premiere of Our Threatened & Endangered Species: Piping Plovers. Following the premier, meet Game Commission film maker and Erie-native, Tracy Graziano, and learn what it takes to recover this endangered species at Presque Isle from the Piping Plover Partnership. Registration is not required, but space is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• 5:30 - 8:30 pm: Ticket required! Recovery of the Great Lakes Piping Plover Population: Challenges and Hope with Dr. Francie Cuthbert. Celebrate 10 years of Piping Plovers returning to nest in Pennsylvania with delicious hors d’oeuvres and drinks. This social hour will be followed by remarks from special guests and an exciting story of this incredible species by Piping Plover expert, Dr. Francie Cuthbert. Registration is required by Friday, July 17th.

Sunday, July 19th

• 5:00 - 8:00 pm: Ticket required! Gull Point Bird Walk with the Piping Plover Recovery Team. Join us for an evening bird walk to Gull Point, where you may have the chance to observe and learn more about the federally- and state-endangered Piping Plover from the safety of an observation tower. The walk will begin at the Beach 10 parking lot, taking the beach route to a wooded path leading to Gull Point. The first part of this walk is moderate difficulty on soft sand. The wooded portion of the path is considered easy, although the path contains some exposed roots and unlevel ground. The total distance is about 3 miles round-trip. We strongly recommend that attendees wear sturdy shoes and sun protection; bring insect repellent; bring plenty of water and snacks; dress appropriately for the weather. A limited number of loaner binoculars will be available. Registration is required by Friday, July 17th.