In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally talk with Mel Julien, the Community Engagement Director for the NYC Plover Project.

Mel shares how the Piping Plover became her spark bird after rediscovering the beach near her childhood home during the pandemic. What began as a curiosity about shorebird nesting signs soon led her to volunteer with the NYC Plover Project and eventually join the team working to protect these endangered birds on New York City's beaches.

Links & Resources from This Episode

📸 Follow Mel's birding and conservation journey on Instagram at @meldjewels and connect with her professional work on LinkedIn.

🏖️ Learn more about the NYC Plover Project, whose mission is to protect endangered Piping Plovers and other beach-nesting birds on New York City's beaches through education, community, and volunteer engagement.

📱 Stay up to date with the NYC Plover Project's work and shorebird updates by following them on social media–Instagram (@nycploverproject), Facebook, X, and Threads.

Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski