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Emily Rice, Coastal Program Biologist with Point Blue Conservation Science, looks through her binoculars during a Western Snowy Plover winter survey conducted by the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron on Surf Beach at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Jan. 13, 2025. Vandenberg SFB employs 40 government civilians, cooperators, and contractors who support the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Integrated Environmental Assessment Team. Vandenberg actively monitors nesting sites and adjusts beach access during nesting season, protecting Western Snowy Plover habitat. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ian Hawkes)

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Western Snowy Plovers nestle in the sands of Surf Beach at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Jan. 13, 2025. The Western Snowy Plover is considered a special status species; Vandenberg is undergoing dune and vegetation restoration efforts to stabilize the population of these birds. During the winter these birds create small flocks, with some staying year-round and others migrating along the coastline. Their management is overseen by some of the 40 government civilians, cooperators, and contractors that support Vandenberg’s environmental conservation efforts. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ian Hawkes)

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Emily Rice, Coastal Program Biologist with Point Blue Conservation Science, looks through her binoculars in search of Western Snowy Plovers during a 30th Civil Engineer Squadron winter survey conducted at Surf Beach at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Jan. 13, 2025. Vandenberg’s environmental conservation efforts are maintained by a team of 40 civilians, cooperators, and contractors — the largest environmental team in the U.S. Space Force. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ian Hawkes)

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Emily Rice, left, Coastal Program Biologist with Point Blue Conservation Science, discusses data with Elena Oey, right, Coastal Program Biologist with Point Blue Conservation Science, conducted during a Western Snowy Plover winter survey at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Jan. 13, 2025. Vandenberg maintains a diverse environmental program consisting of 40 civilians, cooperators, and contractors. This team includes biologists, geologists, and archaeologists, all of which conduct more than 150 environmental inspections per year, the most of any Department of the Air Force installation. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ian Hawkes)

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A Western Snowy Plover stands on Surf Beach at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Jan. 13, 2025. The Western Snowy Plover is a special status species with nesting and overwintering habitat at Vandenberg. Their protection mission is managed by 40 government civilians, cooperators, and contractors that support the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron’s environmental and conservation efforts. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ian Hawkes)

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Vandenberg Environmental Team Conducts Western Snowy Plover Winter Survey

Published Jan. 14, 2026
By Airman 1st Class Ian Hawkes
Space Launch Delta 30

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. --

Vandenberg Environmental Team conducts Western Snowy Plover winter survey conducted at Surf Beach at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Jan. 13, 2025. Vandenberg’s environmental conservation efforts are maintained by a team of 40 civilians and contractors — the largest environmental team in the U.S. Space Force.

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