THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 7, 1996 TAG: 9607040260
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 09 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
LENGTH: 32 lines
THE STAFF of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Craney Island Dredged Material Area last week received an award for the birds.
It was the Jackson M. Abbott Conservation Award for 1996 and came from the Virginia Society of Ornithology.
They were cited for their ``contributions and assistance in the creation, protection and preservation of critical habitat for beach nesting birds.'' Their efforts, the award said, have resulted in the increased population of the piping plover and the least terns.
Ruth Beck, a professor at the College of William and Mary, nominated the staff. Beck heads a bird protection project that is a cooperative project of the college and the state's Game and Inland Fisheries Department.
Under Beck's guidance, Corps workers mark off nesting sites to keep others from inadvertently entering the nesting areas or injuring the birds or their young.
Beck said the Craney Island attracts birds because it simulates natural beach nesting habitat.
``We can create habitat, permit foraging and let the species nest more successfully, yet still allow the Corps to function,'' Beck said. MEMO: [For a related story, see page 8 of the Currents for this date.] ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
Signs inform people Craney Island is a bird nesting area. by CNB