Piping Plover

The Great Lakes are home to the largest coastal dune ecosystem in the world. These vulnerable dunes support a variety of unique plants, insects, and animals – including an endangered, tiny bird.

The first piping plover to return to the Great Lakes region was reported at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore last week. Advocates met Friday to discuss the endangered bird and policies that could improve protection.

Piping plover chicks are scurrying along some Great Lakes beaches right now.

Officials with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are warning that high water levels on the Great Lakes could be harmful to an endangered Michigan…