In the near future, I will introduce a resolution designating July 18, 2026, as “Piping Plover Day” in Pennsylvania.

The Piping Plover is a federally protected shorebird with only about 4,000 breeding pairs worldwide. It depends on wide, sparsely vegetated beaches with minimal disturbance, habitat that in Pennsylvania exists along Lake Erie at Presque Isle State Park.

Presque Isle is one of the most significant shorebird sites in the Great Lakes region, designated both an Important Bird Area (IBA) and a Natural Heritage Area that supports more than 50 species of concern. It also hosts essential habitat restoration work by state and federal partners.

Thanks to decades of coordinated conservation, the Piping Plover returned to nest at Presque Isle in 2017, and Pennsylvania has since supported 20 nesting pairs and fledged 47 chicks, marking 2026 as the 10th consecutive nesting season.

Presque Isle is a critical habitat for shorebirds and a premier destination for wildlife watchers, welcoming four million visitors each year and contributing significantly to Pennsylvania’s vibrant wildlife-associated economy. As a cornerstone of the Commonwealth’s outdoor recreation industry, Presque Isle helps drive Pennsylvania’s $5.6 billion wildlife-related economic activity while supporting conservation, tourism, and public enjoyment of our natural resources.

Please join me in co-sponsoring this resolution recognizing a major conservation milestone and reaffirms our commitment to protecting its natural resources.