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Landowners, bird enthusiasts, and southwest residents can mark their calendars to tune in for free to hear about an at-risk species and the 2024 Prairie Canada Piping Plover Census.
Nature Saskatchewan will be teaming up once again with the Prairie Conservation Action Plan for the webinar, which is set for Thursday, February 6 during the noon hour.
Ashley Vass, habitat stewardship coordinator with Nature Saskatchewan and former piping plover census coordinator, noted that there were nearly 200 volunteers and partners who helped with the 2024 Prairie Canada Piping Plover Census in Saskatchewan, which is Canada's province with the largest number of plovers.
"I'm going to talk piping plover basics at first, then I'll go over a bit of a background of the census and dig into some of the 2024 results," Vass said. "I'll finish with a short discussion about why piping plovers are at risk and some things that people can do to help them."
She explained that it initially began as an international census in 1991, making it the longest-running shorebird census that covers an entire range of species.
"The census is basically a count of all the piping plovers," shared Vass. "Since it used to be done internationally, so it really showed the global distribution of these birds, they're only found in North America."
She highlighted Nature Saskatchewan's own initiative, Plovers on Shore, which also gathers data to monitor and track plovers in order to help protect and learn more about these shorebirds.
As shorebirds, piping plovers only call Saskatchewan home during the spring and summer to breed and nest. Heading closer to spring, anyone who spots a plover on their property can contact +1 (800) 667 - HOOT(4668) or contact Emily Putz at outreach@naturesask.ca.
Anyone interested in signing up for the webinar can visit the Prairie Conservation Action Plan's website or register at https://shorturl.at/vEeb0.
"If people see any other species at risk as well, feel free to give us a call, or even if you need help identifying something," Vass added. "Give us a call, send us an email, a photo is always helpful, and we can help."