βI consider Vandenberg to be more than an Air Force base, it is also an environmental preserve to many endangered species,β said Col. Michael Hough, 30th Space Wing commander. βIt is our job to protect those species such as the Snowy Plover, and that is why we enforce partial closure of beaches during their nesting season. It is also our job, however, to listen to and care for the people, both on base and in the local community, and my hope is that the community abides by the enforcement so the beach can remain open throughout the nesting season.β