Hatching and raising a family on the beach isn’t easy, even for well-camouflaged birds with feathers that blend into the landscape. Piping Plovers depend on dynamic, healthy coastal ecosystems. Key challenges to the recovery of this small shorebird include habitat loss from coastal development, disturbances from recreation and motorized vehicles, predator pressures, and climate change.
Piping Plovers in southern Ontario, Nova Scotia, and southeastern New Brunswick are monitored, protected, and stewarded by volunteers and partners coordinating conservation efforts to help this species at risk. They still face many threats, including habitat loss due to development, disturbances from recreational beach users and off-leash dogs, and natural predators.

Adult Piping Plover. Photo: Pauliina Saarinen

Piping Plover Conservation Team releasing banded chicks. Photo: Mark Peck
Volunteer opportunities for Piping Plovers differ depending on your location.
Atlantic Program
Contact Information
Laura Bartlett
Nova Scotia Program Coordinator
Ontario Program
Contact Information
Andrea Gress
Ontario Piping Plover Conservation Program Coordinator