PRESS STATEMENT 8/12/2019 Contact: Nick Lund, Outreach and Network Manager, Maine Audubon 207.650.8739| nlund@maineaudubon.org Eliza Donoghue, Senior Policy & Advocacy Specialist, Maine Audubon 207.712.4359 | edonoghue@maineaudubon.org Laura Minch Zitske, Director, Piping Plover & Least Tern Project, Maine Audubon 207.838.1350 | lzitske@maineaudubon.org New Federal Rules Gut Endangered Species Act Protections for Maine Wildlife FALMOUTH � New […]
Plovers & Terns
The New Age of the Piping Plover: Record Numbers Nesting on Maine Beaches in 2019
OLD ORCHARD BEACH � While the Pier and Palace Playland, the Seaside Pavilion, and other summer venues eagerly make arrangements to commemorate the Fourth of July weekend with flocks of revelers, another more delicate variety of beach-goers also attends to peak season preparations. A pair of six-inch tall endangered birds�Atlantic Coast Piping Plovers�have chosen to […]
Piping Plover Party Pays Off as Party-goers Play, Peruse, Participate
Maine Audubon’s first-ever Piping Plover Party took place on Saturday at the�Ferry Beach Retreat & Conference Center in Saco. Over 100 people turned out to support our Coastal Birds Program, learn about these remarkable birds, and have fun both indoors and out! From bird walks on the beach and lawn games, to delicious food, a […]
A Banner Year for Maine’s Nesting Piping Plovers
The Maine Audubon “plover crew” has wrapped up its 2018 season monitoring the nesting of Piping Plovers on Maine’s beaches — and they have good news to report for this struggling species. “In 2018, we had a record number of nesting pairs and a record number of fledglings for Maine,” explained Laura Minich Zitske, who […]
A Walk and Talk about the Endangered Species Act
Last week brought what could be the most comprehensive attacks to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) we have ever seen. Legislative proposals in Congress and proposed rule changes from the Executive Branch would do everything from bar specific animals from being listed as endangered for a decade, to removing text in the ESA that specifies […]
Hey Beachgoers, Watch out for Baby Piping Plovers
Headed to the beach to enjoy this wonderful weather? Be sure to be mindful of beach-nesting birds! This is a critical time for birds like the endangered Piping Plover. Coastal Birds Project director Laura Minich Zitske and her team have observed over 90 plover chicks on Maine beaches so far, with more on the way. […]
Celebrate Endangered Species Day by Taking Action
Happy Endangered Species Day from your friends at Maine Audubon! Today is an opportunity to learn about the importance of endangered species and actions you can take to help protect them. In Maine, endangered and threatened species like the Canada Lynx, Atlantic Salmon, and New England Cottontail need your help more than ever. Right now […]
The 2018 Plover Crew Hits the Beaches
Despite the driving rain and 35 degree temperatures today, the 2018 Plover crew ventured out to the beaches. This year, Heidi Franklin (above, left) is joining Sam Albright, Zac Fait (center, right), and me as Maine Audubon’s Coastal Birds Project biologist team. Already, plovers have been seen on beaches from Ogunquit to Popham. They are […]
Marching for Science in Portland [Photos & Video]
Maine Audubon wildlife biologist Laura Minich Zitske, who leads our Coastal Birds Project, was a featured speaker at Portland’s March for Science yesterday. Despite the chilly April temperatures, a dedicated corps turned out to support science and its wider inclusion in public policy decision-making. Laura’s remarks, below, focused on the role individuals can play — […]