Vandenberg Space Force Base is seeking volunteer docents for the 2022 Western snowy plover breeding season to assist in balancing wildlife protection and visitor recreation.

Docents are needed March 1 through Sept. 30 at Surf Beach and Ocean Park, and should plan to volunteer at least two hours per month throughout the plover season.

Volunteer docents specifically help promote awareness among beach visitors to help ensure local beaches remain open during the nesting season, and assist in protecting the threatened Western snowy plover from disturbance. Duties can be performed while socially distanced from others.

Duties include:
– Welcoming visitors to the beach and informing them about available recreation opportunities and beach restrictions, specifically the location of closed areas.
– Walking the beach or standing at entrance for the purpose of engaging with beach visitors.
– Educating visitors about the natural history, plight and protection of the snowy plover.
– Informing visitors about beach restrictions.
– Communicating with conservation law-enforcement officers and other Vandenberg staff members when necessary.
– Providing general information and assistance to visitors.
– Using interpretive materials to help communicate information.

Snowy plover docents must possess strong oral communication skills with a diversity of people, able to work independently, and be non-confrontational. Docents must also be able to spend a majority of the time standing, walking and/or hiking; tolerate wind, fog, cold, and blowing sand; and be comfortable around people and dogs.

The plover docent coordinator will provide a one-hour training (online or in person), along with t-shirt, hat and other materials. Contact docent coordinator at 30CES.CEIEA.NaturalResources@us.af.mil for more information and to sign up for training.