DELAWARE- The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control says they are seeking volunteers to help protect Delaware's beach-nesting birds for the 2025 season.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) says the beach-birds include federally-listed threatened piping plovers and state-listed endangered American oystercatchers.
Volunteers will act as monitors and a key part of conservation efforts. DNREC says selected individuals will be stationed on the boundaries of the birds' nesting areas. While there, volunteers will "explain to beach-goers the importance of closing sections of the beach to prevent human disturbance, thus helping increase the nesting success of the birds."
People who would like to volunteer are encouraged to attend DNREC's training session on Saturday, May 3rd, from 10:00am to 12:00pm. The meeting will be at Cape Henlopen State Park’s Officers Club Mess Hall. Interest forms can be found here.
The training session will include a presentation, followed by a discussion about the beach-nesting bird monitoring program and volunteer jobs. After the discussion, the group will go to the Point at Cape Henlopen to look for piping plovers and other shorebirds.