Western Alliance For Nature To Reinforce Bird Protection At Oxnard's Ormond Beach

A volunteer program that began 13 years ago to protect endangered birds at Ormond Beach has become a formal project of the Western Alliance for Nature. According to Larry Wan, founder and board chair of the Western Alliance for Nature, "The snowy plover and least tern project has been very successful in protecting the nesting sites of two federally and state-listed endangered birds. It began with the efforts of local volunteers who made fences and signs from construction waste to divert beach traffic from the nesting birds. The nests of both species of birds consist basically of sand-no twigs, leaves, seaweed. The birds find existing depressions and make slight improvements. Sometimes, they use a heel imprint or even a tire track--which makes them especially vulnerable as vehicles follow existing tracks.

Wan noted that over the years the effort has been aided by organizations that include the Los Padres Chapter of the Sierra Club, Ventura and Conejo Audubon Clubs, Surfriders, the Environmental Coalition and Oxnard's City Corps. "Because the volunteers continued their efforts year after year," Wan said, "the birds have come back to the beach to nest in increasing numbers each year, making the program one of the country's most inspiring volunteer programs for endangered species. It also has to be one of the most cost-effective conservation projects ever," Wan added, "an effort of sheer will and used plywood."

The Western Alliance for Nature will now turn it into one of its funded official wildlife conservation programs and provide structure, management, accountability and continuity. WAN will help coordinate the participation of numerous relevant agencies throughout the County and State. The program consists of a docent educational program along with constructing fencing and signage around a mile-long area of natural sand dunes in Ormond Beach where the least terns and snowy plovers lay their eggs. Fencing will be removed after each nesting season.

An educational pamphlet has been developed for docents to hand out, enlightening the beach visitors about why the birds need to be protected and how they can enjoy the beach in harmony with the nesting birds. Binoculars will be available with the docents so visitors can observe the marvelous natural process of renewal of another generation of these endangered species. Wan said "An important element of the program is to instill wide public appreciation for this wonderful and precious resource of Oromond Beach."

"That these birds could have survived the last half of the 20th Century in Southern California is astounding, and in this case we have two species. The nesting seasons stretches from April to September," Wan said. "Anyone who would like to help patrol the beach will be most welcome," he added.

Volunteers for beach patrol duties can telephone 805-488-7988 to sign up.