St. Louis River Alliance Clearing Way for Endangered Piping Plovers
Heavy rain washed wood debris ashore, blocking the shorebirds from their potential new home and nesting grounds
SUPERIOR, Wisc. — Volunteers and workers from the St. Louis River Alliance teamed up to remove debris from the Piping Plover habitat on Wisconsin Point.
The sun was beating down on the sand along Wisconsin Point, but that didn’t deter the crew working to clear the Piping Plover Site. They chopped and burned logs and wooden debris that washed ashore, making way for the small shorebirds. According to project leader Mikayla Erickson, safely removing excess debris will allow to piping plovers to forage for beetles, worms, and crustaceans.
“The piping plover is historically endangered, since 1975,” Erickson said. “This is really important because we’re seeing numbers rise. Last year was the highest number since being endangered at 80 total pairs in the Great Lakes Region. It’s really important we have this space here so we create the habitat and we give them the space they can stop on their migration and eventually nest here.”
The St. Louis River Alliance is responsible for the habitats on Wisconsin and Minnesota Points. It’s all a part of their larger mission, a clean and healthy St. Louis River. Pat Ocken says since moving to Duluth in 1979, he’s seen the river thrive.
“I finally knew we were making progress when you used to see people coming back with their fishing rods and creels with fish in them,” Ocken said. “I used to think ‘oh they’re not going to eat those, are they?’ because of the mercury poisonings and everything left by the industries that were here. And now we can.”
Erickson says maintaining the beaches for piping plovers is a collaborative effort. It’s important to give shorebirds and other native species space, pick up litter, and keep dogs leashed. That way, everyone can enjoy the St. Louis River and its beaches.
“It’s special to me because I’ve gotten so much enjoyment out of it,” Ocken said. “And to see so many other people who obviously both believe in the environment and know what this waterway can be, it’s just nice to know you’re not the only one thinking that way.”
Both Ocken and Erickson said they’re optimistic about the future of the river and piping plover’s in the region. The St. Louis River Alliance’s goal is to increase the population from 80 pairs to 150, and have piping plovers nesting on their shores.
“My passion is so high, so I’m so excited to have people out here,” Erickson said. “This has been the first project or thing in my life that I’ve been so passionate about. Today is a great turnout, I’m so thankful for everyone here. We’ve been chain sawing; we’re all dripping sweat. We’re drinking water and lemonade. Just to have everyone here working on the same goal is so special to me.”
