Strathmere Plover Project

08/27/2026

This small piping plover chick lived but a few days. We lost far too many chicks in NYC this season. We hold their little lives forever in our hearts, propelling us forward— together with our partners at Gateway National Recreation Area + New York City Department of Parks & Recreation— to do more to protect them. We must do better.

This Dolly Parton song’s lyrics reminded us of their precious fragile lives.

“Little bird, take me aboard
Your beautiful wings and let me fly
Fly me away back to yesterday
And drop me off there awhile

Let me smell the rare perfume
Of the sweet flower of beauty again
Let me run in the playful breeze
Of youth long gone with the wind

Let me sit for a while by the place
Where I found the treasure of love
Then sing me a song as you fly me along
On our long last journey above.”

Little Bird
by Dolly Parton ‧ 1969

📷: Benjamin Forbes

08/23/2026

WE'RE ONBOARD!
2026 Nightmare in Strathmere
Sun. Aug 23, 6:30P

Look for the Strathmere Plover Project in the Nightmare Parade as we focus our attention on our incredible native ospreys who have been struggling to find food for their survival. [Osprey photo credit: Tom Gimpel, Beach Path Images ]

08/11/2026

Join our friends from the SIA Native Plant Committee as they highlight the Gardens of Strathmere! On August 13, 6 pm at the Schiavo Library, the SIA Native Plant Committee invites you to an illustrated talk showcasing the green thumbs and beautiful native plant gardens in public and private spaces throughout town.
https://www.strathmereploverproject.org/event-details/native-plant-talk-sia-native-plant-committee-1

08/10/2026

3 New Plovers Released!
Does it get any better than this?
Yesterday, our Executive Director, Laura Ann Johnson, had the privilege of opening the crate to release three Piping Plovers right here at Sleeping Bear Dunes!
These birds were raised and cared for by the amazing team at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago before making their return to the Lakeshore. We are so grateful for our conservation partners and dedicated volunteers who work year-round to protect these endangered shorebirds.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1JEePUrW3S/

08/09/2026

We were so happy to once again take part in the Schiavo Library’s Family Scavenger hunt Thursday night. Seven families, totaling 17 children, needed to solve clues and identify “treasures” throughout town. Stratty, our Piping Plover mascot was watching over his nest on the beach, waiting to be found. Before racing onto the beach, participants paused to examine a life-sized plover and his nestful of eggs. They agreed the bird’s camo and tiny eggs make it vulnerable to accidental breakage on the beach and then were invited onto the beach to take a selfie with our larger-than-life Piping Plover and his nest full of eggs. The excitement of the hunt plus the mascot selfie was a true Scavenger Hunt highlight!

08/08/2026

Hope these fledglings-to-be make it out of Green Bay, WI before the winter sets in.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DDt2b2Mu2/

08/07/2026

Check your milkweed for eggs! Once they hatch, watch the caterpillars consume their host plant before creating their pupae. Do you have the correct milkweed? Any of the Asclepias species - Common, Swamp, narrow-leaf milkweeds, or ButterflyWeed. These milkweeds are the only plants the caterpillars can eat. Not Butterfly Bush! It has nice flowers, but is not a host for Monarch eggs as it provides no food for caterpillars. Once you get the rights plants in place, your garden can host monarch eggs and caterpillars and you can help add to an entire generation of long- lived super Monarch butterflies.

It’s that magical time of year again!

08/06/2026

Don't forget to bring the kids to a fun-filled scavenger hunt including awesome piping plover treasures. Join us tonight (Aug 6) at 6:00 at the Schiavo Library.

08/05/2026

The first of four albums celebrating the rich heritage of US National Parks. Over 25 minutes of streaming real sounds from Everglades National Park, recorded by Stan Tekiela. Hear some of your favorite wading birds, alligators and songbirds in this rookery.