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SR 347

A Resolution designating July 18, 2026, as "Piping Plover Day" in Pennsylvania.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Vincent Hughes and 3 co-sponsors

Designates July 18, 2026 as Piping Plover Day in Pennsylvania to celebrate 10 years of statewide piping plover conservation and raise public awareness.

Referred to Rules & Executive Nominations
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SR 347

Overview

  • Type: Senate Resolution (SR 347)
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
  • Purpose: Designate July 18, 2026 as "Piping Plover Day" in Pennsylvania
  • Introduced: June 25, 2026
  • Referred to: Rules and Executive Nominations

main purpose and intent

  • The resolution designates July 18, 2026, as "Piping Plover Day" in Pennsylvania.
  • It coincides with the 10th nesting anniversary celebration of piping plovers in Pennsylvania and acknowledges ongoing conservation efforts and partnerships to recover the Great Lakes piping plover population.

Key provisions and changes

  • Formal designation of a commemorative day: July 18, 2026 shall be observed in Pennsylvania as "Piping Plover Day."
  • Recognition of conservation history:
    • Highlights the environmental rights framework (Pennsylvania Constitution’s Environmental Rights Amendment) and the role of the Game Commission in managing wildlife and habitats.
    • Describes Presque Isle State Park as a critical site (Important Bird Area) and a focal point for piping plover recovery.
    • Acknowledges a long-standing collaboration among state and federal agencies and NGOs (e.g., USFWS, DCNR, USACE, APHIS, Erie Bird Observatory, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy) and habitat restoration activities.
  • Data and context provided:
    • Piping plover status: three populations protected under the Endangered Species Act; approximately 4,000 breeding pairs worldwide.
    • Great Lakes population in Pennsylvania: 88 breeding pairs in 2025; ongoing habitat enhancement and monitoring since 2007.
    • Economic and visitation context: USFWS 2022 data on wildlife watchers in PA and Presque Isle State Park visitation figures, underscoring the broad public interest in wildlife conservation.

Who or what would be affected

  • Public awareness and education: The designation aims to raise public awareness about piping plover conservation and the importance of protecting shorebird habitats.
  • Preservation and habitat efforts: Reflects and honors the ongoing habitat restoration and management efforts at Presque Isle State Park and surrounding areas.
  • Stakeholders: State agencies (Pennsylvania Game Commission, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources), federal partners (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Army Corps of Engineers, APHIS), conservation organizations, and wildlife watchers/tourists.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legislative action: SR 347 was introduced and referred to the Rules and Executive Nominations committee on June 25, 2026.
  • No substantive policy changes or funding authorize/directed in the resolution; it is ceremonial, designating a commemorative day and highlighting ongoing conservation efforts.
  • The designated day is July 18, 2026, with an event described as the Pennsylvania Piping Plover Fest at Presque Isle State Park.

Bottom line

This bill creates a ceremonial designation recognizing Pennsylvania’s ongoing piping plover conservation efforts, celebrates the 10th nesting anniversary of the species in the state, and promotes public awareness through the statewide observance of Piping Plover Day on July 18, 2026, highlighted by festivities at Presque Isle State Park.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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