Absent from Pennsylvania for over 60 years, the federal and state endangered piping plover, a small shorebird, has made a comeback at Presque Isle State Park in Erie. Federal, state and local officials came together at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie this past weekend for “Pennsylvania Piping Plover Fest,” a celebration of the shorebird’s ten consecutive years of nesting in the Commonwealth.
“Although our small population is extremely fragile, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and our team of partners are unwavering in our commitment to ensuring these remarkable birds endure for generations to come,” said Cathy Haffner, PGC Wildlife Biologist and Piping Plover Recovery Coordinator.
The Presque Isle shoreline is the only breeding habitat for the piping plover in Pennsylvania. However, increased recreational activity throughout the years endangered camouflaged eggs in shallow depressions in the sand. Piping Plovers eventually abandoned Presque Isle by the mid-1950s, like many other nesting sites throughout the Great Lakes.
“We are celebrating the restoration of a native species to Pennsylvania’s beach ecosystem, the team who worked tirelessly for decades to encourage their return, and the army of Great Lakes Piping Plover stewards beyond Pennsylvania whose vigilance has enabled us to, once again, experience the joy of piping plovers on Lake Erie,” Haffner said.
In 2003, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) published a recovery plan for the piping plover, and shortly after, three piping plovers were observed at Presque Isle State Park in 2005. Eventually, the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) formed the Piping Plover and Common Tern Recovery Partnership which included the USFWS, Army Corps of Engineers, the United States Dept. of Agriculture (USDA), the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Erie Bird Observatory, and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
“The recovery partnership and the work that continues to be done is a shining example of how cooperation between our state and federal agencies, NGOs, and passionate volunteers can create an important impact on conservation goals that are broader than Pennsylvania alone,” said Dave Gustafson, Deputy Executive Director of the PGC.
USFWS’s Pennsylvania Field Office remains focused on key recovery strategies to ensure Pennsylvania’s piping plovers contribute to the wider Great Lakes population. Those efforts center on boosting adult survival and nest success so birds can help fill important genetic and geographic gaps in the species’ recovery.
“We are proud to partner with the PGC, DCNR, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and USDA APHIS Wildlife Services to promote the recovery of the federally endangered Great Lakes Piping Plover on Presque Isle State Park. The unique expertise and contribution from each agency have led to the successful return of piping plovers to Pennsylvania. This year’s Piping Plover Fest will offer a great opportunity to highlight this conservation and partnership success,” said Jodie Mamuscia, Field Supervisor for the USFWS Pennsylvania Field Office.
From a habitat standpoint, DCNR and staff at Presque Isle State Park have worked to protect and restore the dynamic shoreline and fragile habitat at Gull Point. Soon after Presque Isle became a state park, the Commonwealth recognized the ecological importance of the area by designating Gull Point as a bird sanctuary in 1927 and reaffirming that protection in 1957. These efforts support species like the Piping Plover and the Common Tern and are strengthened by the presence of native plant communities that form the backbone of healthy coastal ecosystems.
“Presque Isle and Gull Point represent some of the most important coastal habitat in the Commonwealth, and DCNR is proud to work alongside our partners to protect and restore this landscape so species like the Great Lakes Piping Plover have a place to thrive,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “Park staff, conservation organizations, and volunteers have invested years of effort into managing the shifting shoreline, restoring native vegetation, and safeguarding sensitive nesting areas. The return of piping plovers to Pennsylvania shows what is possible when we commit to long-term stewardship of our public lands.”
Pennsylvania Piping Plover Fest featured a public premiere of "Our Threatened & Endangered Species: Piping Plovers," a documentary film, followed by an expert panel discussion. Renowned piping plover expert Dr. Francie Cuthbert led a keynote presentation during the reception while Erie local Jerry McWilliams was also recognized for his significant contributions to shorebird protection at Presque Isle State Park since the 1970s.
"The return of the piping plover is one of Pennsylvania's greatest conservation success stories, and reflects the resilience of the bird - much like the resilience of our city," said Erie Mayor Daria S. Devlin. "As we continue investing in the future of our Bayfront, we remain committed to balancing thoughtful growth and environmental stewardship by working alongside our local, state, and federal partners to protect the natural resources that define Erie."
Ahead of the weekend's celebration, House Resolution 580, introduced by Representative Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie), was adopted by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to officially designate July 18, 2026, as Piping Plover Day in Pennsylvania. The resolution documents the piping plover recovery efforts and recognizes the members of the recovery partnership.
"When it comes to the natural treasure of Presque Isle and the Great Lakes, all the pieces matter," said Rep. Ryan Bizzarro. "This reversal of the plight of the Piping Plover deserves all of our appreciation, and today's festival helps everyone understand the ongoing work that keeps Presque Isle as the jewel of the Gem City.
Photo from left to right: PGC Deputy Executive Director Dave Gustafson, Erie Mayor Daria S. Devlin, USFWS Field Supervisor Jodie Mamuscia, DCNR Regional Advisor Katie Wickert , State Rep. Ryan Bizarro (D-Erie), PGC Wildlife Biologist/ Piping Plover Recovery Cathy Haffner.