Memorial Day Droneshow Volunteer Stewardship: Protect Piping Plovers

Do you want to watch Jones Beach's first ever drone show and protect threatened and endangered shorebirds at the same time? Well, you can! Become a volunteer steward with New York State Parks for a day and help us keep our protected foraging and nesting habitats safe from patrons who are coming to enjoy the festivities. If you're interested, here is what you need to know:

1. Meet on the south side of the pavilion at Field 2 at Jones Beach by 6pm. Please stay for the whole event which ends approximately at 9:45/10pm.
2. Let the booth staff know that you are a volunteer, and you will not be charged a parking fee.
3. As groups of volunteers arrive, they will be assigned a group leader and a certain location on the beach between Fields 1 and 2. You will have to fill out a Volunteer Service Agreement and Photo Release Form if this is your first time volunteering with New York State Parks and sign-in for the day.
4. The job of each volunteer will be to be professional, courteous, and polite to all patrons. Volunteers will look official in “Protect Piping Plover” Hats and will be an important mechanism to keep patrons from entering protected shorebird areas. In many cases just being present is enough to deter anyone from crossing into protected habitats. On those extremely rare occasions where a difficult patron is encountered, a group leader will be there to assist. Volunteers are NOT law enforcement.
5. Volunteers are encouraged to enjoy an evening at the beach and to enjoy the show! Although being “on duty” comes first, volunteers may bring beach chairs, blankets, umbrellas (if they can be secured) and coolers. Family and friends are welcome, but please NO frisbees, balls, pets, or kites! Pets are not allowed, and all other items can cause problems for nesting birds.
6. Food and drinks will unfortunately not be provided this year so please plan accordingly! In addition, the wind off the water at this time of year can be very uncomfortable, so a spare jacket/blanket is a good idea.
7. Contacting everyone for an event of this size can be difficult. If the weather appears doubtful due to rain, fog or any other condition that would be unsafe for patrons or pilots, check the media and Eventbrite for announcements.

This Event is available for all ages with adult supervision.

Piping Plovers are an endangered shorebird that migrate to Jones Beach every Summer to breed and raise their young. Areas that have important nesting and foraging habitat at Jones Beach are marked with orange string fence to keep patrons from disturbing them and other shorebirds.

This year the event will be unique in that it is Jones Beach's first official Drone Show! While we will be distanced from most of the action, about 1,000 drones will be involved over the Atlantic Ocean and we aren't sure how the crowds will be dispersed this year so we are taking the same precautions as we have in previous years.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Jones Beach Field 2, HFVH+8J, Wantagh, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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