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Snowy Plover Docent Program
The Snowy Plover Docent Program was initiated in August 2001 to “assist the protection of the snowy plovers at Coal Oil Point Reserve, and to raise awareness in the local community of the importance of the preservation of this species and its habitat”. The program recruits, trains, and organizes volunteers to become ambassadors of Sand’s Beach. Each docent plays a crucial role in the protection of the plovers by educating beach users about this threatened species and how to use the beach responsibly. Docents provide a personal and friendly contact for beach users. They promote public interest and understanding, and in turn, dramatically increase the effectiveness of other management efforts, such as signs and barriers. Though a diverse group, we share a common goal: to maintain beach access and recreation for people while preserving and protecting habitat for the snowy plover and other shorebirds.
Snowy Plover in the incubater at COPR - about 4 hours old - June 7, 2008
Docent Trainings
Docents are trained to provide education and to protect roosting and nesting plovers at Sand’s beach.
To become a Snowy Plover Docent, one must attend a 6 hour training course. This includes:
- 2 hour tour of Coal Oil Point Reserve
- 1.5 hour classroom-setting instruction
- 2.5 hour ‘on-the-beach’ training or practice shift
The tour and instruction/training occur on the same day and the on-site training is scheduled the following week. At the training, we provide:
- DVD featuring Coal Oil Point Reserve's collaborative research projects
- Presentation about the biology and ecology of snowy plovers and their local and regional natural history
- Instruction about the 2 docent roles: educator and protector
- Tips for communicating with the public & role-playing
Training sessions are scheduled once a month. A Snowy Plover Docent Manual, uniform t-shirt, and weekly plover email updates are part of the package.
Once trained, a Docent will commit to a 2-hour shift on the beach every week. During the shift, Plover Docents provide education in the following way:
- Interpret Reserve rules for beach users
- Share accurate information about plover biology
- Help beach goers indentify plovers and other shorebirds
- Encourage questions and learning about conservation on all levels
Docents also provide protection for plovers and their chicks and nests. They:
- Ensure that the boundaries of the sensitive habitat is respected
- Make sure that dogs are with their owners and leashed at all times
- Discourage disturbance or depredation by crows and other predators
A basic data form is also completed by each docent throughout each shift.
If you would like to find out more about the Docent Program, or would like to volunteer your time and become a Plover Docent, we would like to hear from you! The more docents we have, the better the chances for the recovery of the plover population at COPR and the species as a whole. If you are interested in becoming involved, but the "docent" work is not for you, please do not be discouraged. There are many other ways to help. There is constant need for community outreach, office assistance, programming, design, and art, to mention only a few.
2008 schedule of trainings
August 9
September 27
October 11
November TBA
December TBA
To register, contact Program Coordinator, Jennifer Stroh.
Office: 805-893-3703
Vcml: 805-880-1195
stroh@lifesci.ucsb.edu
Docent Documents
Snowy Plover Docent Program Summary 2008 (Powerpoint)
Plover Docent Training Manual (sorry, manual is being updated, ask Jen for the recent version)
Waiver Form Please click on Waiver Form Link to download form
My Commitment to the Western Snowy Plovers (Word Document)
Coal Oil Point Reserve Snowy Plover Docent Enrollment Form
Other snowy Plover Links
Friends of the Dunes: Snowy Plovers