The Great Lakes Piping Plover –
Status and Recovery Program
presented by Jack Dingledine
The Great Lakes population of the piping plover (Charadrius melodus) is one of the region's most critically endangered species. At the time of listing under the Endangered Species Act in 1986, only 17 pairs were known to exist. As a result of a coordinated, multi-partner recovery effort, the population has significantly increased over the past 20 years. Information on the current population status and distribution will be provided, along with a summary of recovery program efforts. Past and emerging threats to recovery, including Type “E” botulism, will also be discussed.
Dingledine is a fish and wildlife biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service out of the Ecological Services Field Office in East Lansing. Dingledine serves as the current Great Lakes piping plover recovery program coordinator, a post he has held for the past eight years. As program coordinator, Dingledine works directly with a number of state, federal and non-governmental partners in the development and implementation of conservation actions to benefit one of the region’s most critically endangered species. Dingledine is also involved in a number of other duties associated with endangered species conservation in Michigan. Dingledine earned his bachelor’s degree from Hiram College in Ohio and has a master’s degree in wildlife ecology from Michigan State University.
© 2008 Kirtland's Warbler Festival