April 8 - April 9
Virtual Snowy Plover Patrol Training – April 8 & 9, 2025
We will be hosting a 2-night virtual event and an in-person event for Snowy Plover Patrol training in 2025. The classroom training will be presented virtually on Tuesday, April 8 and Wednesday, April 9 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. and in-person at the Seaside Civic & Convention Center on Saturday, April 19 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., including a field trip to nearby Necanicum Inlet to look for Snowy Plovers (click to view in-person event).
Both versions of the training will be divided into 4 learning modules. They cover all relevant topics needed to understand and survey for Snowy Plovers, as well as what we can do to help them. Anyone interested in learning more about Snowy Plovers or participating in our Plover Patrol community science program is welcome to attend.
Bird Alliance of Oregon is partnering with Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and the Institute for Natural Resources to monitor threatened Western Snowy Plovers at 6 sites along the North Coast (from Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria to Sitka Sedge State Natural Area near Pacific City) from April through September. We are looking for volunteers to conduct plover detection surveys and/or nest monitoring surveys. Field training requirements vary depending on survey type. Plover detection surveys require only 1 field training session before surveying alone, while nest monitoring requires at least 20 field training hours before surveying alone. Survey sites vary in distance and time to complete, ranging from 1-12 miles roundtrip and 2-6 hours. Learn more about Snowy Plover Patrol.
For more information or to RSVP, email Cara Gates, Coastal Community Science Biologist, at cgates@birdallianceoregon.org.
Training Modules and Requirements
New volunteers must attend all 4 learning modules to meet the requirements for the ESA-issued Section 10 permit that allows us to monitor this threatened species. While not mandatory for returning volunteers, attendance is highly recommended to refresh on Snowy Plover knowledge and survey methods. Regardless of your interest in volunteering, all are welcome to join the training to learn more about Snowy Plovers and the Plover Patrol program.
After attending the virtual or in-person classroom training, volunteers wanting to conduct surveys must attend field training before surveying alone.
Module 1: Life history, threats and decline
Snowy Plover Identification, Similar Species, Life History, Habitat, Behavior, Threats, and Decline
Module 2: Legal status, management strategies, and recovery
Endangered Species Act, Legal Status, Management Strategies, and Recovery
Module 3: Survey training, data collection, and beach safety
Survey Protocol, Survey Tips, Data Collection, and Beach Safety
Module 4: Virtual Survey
Beach Survey Simulation, Recap, and Quiz
