Sanderling Plan - Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network

incurring a massive oil spill (J. Buchanan, pers. comm.). This simple solution offers an important
benefit to coastal wildlife, and might be a useful protective measure in other states with similar
circumstances.
At Delaware Bay, between 1982–2002 there were targeted efforts to raise awareness and
reduce human disturbance (caused by wildlife photographers and bird watchers) of migrating
shorebirds, including Sanderlings. This has resulted in the effective removal of the vast majority
of disruptions by wildlife enthusiasts on the New Jersey side of Delaware Bay (Burger et al.
2004).
In Canada, the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1987 (between the United States
and Canada) will benefit shorebirds indirectly through several associated initiatives aimed at
improving habitat: the Binational Toxics Strategy (working to eliminate persistent toxic
substances in the Great Lakes), and the Lake Ontario Lakewide Management Plan (working
toward maintaining, restoring, and enhancing diverse biological communities for a number of
shoreline areas (also see Ross et al. 2003).
In Ontario, the framework of the Ontario Living Legacy Land Use Strategy (2000) for
future land and resource management on Crown lands has identified the shorelines on Lake
Superior and Lake Huron as a unique resource of global significance. Approximately 3,000
kilometers of shoreline and adjacent lands have been designated Heritage Coastline (Ross et al.
2003).
At the multinational scale, proposed management by Wetlands for the Americas (now
Wetlands International) includes protecting against loss of key habitat, and reducing chronic
disturbance at sites traditionally used by ≥1,500 Sanderlings simultaneously. Additionally,
management actions by the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) (est.
1986), and land purchases through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA)
also benefit shorebirds, including Sanderlings.
SHIFTING CONSERVATION APPROACHES: A ‘COMMON GROUND’ PARADIGM
Taking a problem-solving, common-ground approach is crucial to achieving the tricky
balance between meeting wildlife (in this case, Sanderling) and human needs. Although this
approach is becoming more common, it is not yet standard practice. Traditional approaches may
inadvertently pit beach users against wildlife, resulting in conflict, resentment, and closed-
WHSRN – Sanderling Conservation Plan, February 2010, v1.1 49