In case you missed it, there was an excellent piece on the radio this week featuring the work of the Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership (TPCP). The TPCP works with Interior Least Terns and Piping Plovers in eastern Nebraska at sand and gravel mines and lakeshore housing developments in eastern Nebraska. Interior Least Terns are state and federally listed as endangered and Piping Plovers are state and federally listed as threatened. One reason the radio segment is noteworthy is because it is a positive story about how endangered species are successfully managed on private property where both the birds and people benefit from proactive cooperation. The presence of threatened or endangered species on private property, or even public property for that matter, is often a source of conflict. It is more often stories of conflict that make the news. Not in this case, though, and if you listen to the segment you’ll understand why.
The industry partners, such as Western Sand and Gravel which is featured in the radio segment, deserve much of the credit for the success of the TPCP. You may also notice Nongame Bird Biologist and occasional blog contributor is featured in the piece. Lauren works with the TPCP during the summer and her blog posts (like this one, or this one) about banded Piping Plovers are a product of that work. Finally, hats off to Nebraska’s NPR, Ariana Brocious, and the Platte Basin Timelapse for a well-done story.
In a world filled with conflict and bad news, it is nice to hear something positive.