With responsibility for overseeing the majority of piping plover nest sites in Rhode Island, Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex staff managed 61 pairs state-wide this past summer.  Nearly one-third of the nests were located at Trustom Pond, Ninigret, and Sachuest Point NWRs.  The overall pair total represents an increase of 3 pairs from the 2006 season.  The nests produced 74 chicks that survived to fledging age, resulting in a productivity of 1.21, an increase from the 1.09 level achieved in 2006 and approximating the recovery plan's goal for attaining a stable population.  Egg hatching success this year was 31%, with egg overwash and predation combining as the main factors influencing hatching success.  Chick survival this season was 63 percent. 

The program is funded via a State Wildlife Grant awarded by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to fund this restoration project for 2006 - 2008.  This grant is made possible through a generous match of in-kind contributions provided by landowners and the refuge complex's many dedicated volunteers.  Landowners and volunteers provided nearly $120,000 of in-kind match toward the state wildlife grant.  Volunteers walked beaches to look for plover nesting activity, constructed symbolic fencing, erected exclosures, monitored nests and chicks, and interacted with the beach-going public throughout the season. 

In addition, plover management on Block Island was cooperatively supported by the US Coast Guard, the Town of New Shoreham, The Nature Conservancy, the Friends of the NWR of RI, and the USFWS.  The success of this project rests clearly on the combined efforts and contributions of many!