VSFB 2024 SEASONAL BEACH RESTRICTIONS LIFTED

  • Published
  • By SLD 30 Public Affairs

All sections of Surf, Wall and Minuteman Beaches on Vandenberg SFB will officially open Sept. 19.

Seasonal restrictions are enforced annually on all three Vandenberg beaches from March 1 through Sept. 30 to protect the nesting habitat of the Western Snowy Plover, which is federally listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.  To lift restrictions before September 30th, Vandenberg Western Snowy Plover biologists have documented the last Western Snowy Plover chicks on Vandenberg beaches have fledged, or left the nest, and are able to care for themselves without assistance from their parents.

Once numbered in the thousands, fewer than 2,400 breeding Western Snowy Plovers remain on the Pacific Coast, and Vandenberg SFB beaches are one of the few suitable breeding habitats remaining in the state.

Throughout the year, the Vandenberg environmental team collaborates closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other coastal land managers to manage, monitor, and assess the population and breeding success of Western Snowy Plovers on base beaches.

During the breeding season, Western Snowy Plover eggs hatch in approximately 27 days, and within hours, the chicks begin foraging for insects and other beach invertebrates. The chicks become independent after about 30 days. However, surviving those critical first two months presents a significant challenge, one that the Vandenberg environmental team actively monitors and protects.

A crucial aspect of the Vandenberg Western Snowy Plover management program is educating beachgoers on how to enjoy these areas while adhering to seasonal beach restrictions. During the 2024 Western Snowy Plover breeding season, Vandenberg beach keepers and volunteer Western Snowy Plover docents interacted with over 20,000 visitors at Surf Beach and Ocean Park.

Additional year-round restrictions will continue to be enforced on all beaches and can be found here:  https://www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Environmental/.