Reinvigorate and expand maine audubon s pets for plovers outreach program to facilitate recovery of the federally threatened piping plover

This program was started in 2017 as a social media campaign to encourage pet owners in maine to show solidarity and commitment to piping plover conservation, but limited staffing and resources precluded the program from achieving the desired social media presence and visibility online. Positive feedback from pet owners about the program has been demonstrated through interactions in the field, however there is a need to revive outreach and marketing materials to sustain public support. Although maine audubon has a budget for piping plover conservation, the growing population of piping plovers in the state has required that the limited existing funding be primarily allotted to field monitoring at the expense of outreach and education programs. Although piping plover numbers in maine are the highest they VE been since monitoring began in 1981, their population status remains precarious, and they continue to need intensive management. One of the major threats to piping plovers in maine comes from unleashed dogs and outdoor cats, which both can cause plover mortality and nesting disruptions. Several important nesting beaches allow unleashed dogs, while others have leash rules that they struggle to enforce. Maine audubon staff have found that the best way to change these behaviors is through the community itself, and that giving a stronger voice to pet owners that are committed to conservation helps foster a culture of plover friendly behaviors. The pets for plovers program will help shift the narrative away from negative interactions between pet owners and piping plovers and demonstrate that pet ownership and bird conservation are not mutually exclusive. We will create a website, increase our PETS4PLOVERS social media presence, and develop additional swag to connect with pet owners. By doing this work and engaging with DOG and CAT owners through VET offices, pet stores, and online we will shift the negative narrative and expand educational efforts.