News roundup

New York City: Soon, the city might include a bird sanctuary with landmark protection status for the first time. The Landmark Preservation Commission is expected to award the status to the sanctuary -- part of the Voelker Orth Museum, Bird Sanctuary and Victorian Garden -- in upcoming weeks.

Orlando: Three Florida men each must pay $2,750 and remain on probation for 3.5 years without possessing firearms after pleading guilty to "violating, and aiding and abetting the violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act."

On August 20, 2006, Moores, Blake and Hagemeister were allegedly crow hunting on a spoil island located in the Indian River, north of the 528 bridge in Brevard County. According to court records, the three men shot at and killed non-game, migratory birds including three black vultures, one turkey vulture, two anhingas, two grackles, four gulls, and one white ibis. An FWC law enforcement officer and a Florida Department of Environmental Protection biologist located, documented and collected the 13 dead birds.

San Francisco: The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service released a recovery plan for western Snowy Plover populations on the Pacific coast.

In contrast to recovery strategies designed for species that are remote from concentrations of people, the plover plan will rely heavily on six comprehensive recovery working groups. The different approach for the plover is due largely to the heavy human presence on, and dynamic nature of, beach areas where plovers live.

“These groups can provide large networks of volunteers who can be mobilized to assist public resource agencies,” the plan explains. Working groups associated with each of the recovery units include a wide range of interests with land managers and environmental interests, and diverse groups of beach users from equestrians to Boy Scouts.

Non-government organizations, such as PRBO Conservation Science (formerly Point Reyes Bird Observatory) and Audubon Society, conduct research, provide technical guidance, and inform the public in ways they can help manage and conserve the plover.

The recovery plan seeks cooperative management and monitoring, mixed with education and public participation, to restore the plover to sustainable numbers.