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The Return of the Piping Plovers to Waukegan

Follow the triumphant story of plovers Blaze and Pepper and the volunteers and agencies that worked together to welcome these sweet birds back to their breeding grounds on Waukegan's shore.

After watching the short film "Sharing Our Shore and the Return of the Piping Plover to Waukegan Shores,” filmmaker Carolyn Lueck will provide an update on where the plovers are now. Carolyn Lueck is President of Lake County Audubon Society and the writer and producer of the film.

Discover the remarkable story of the endangered Great Lakes Piping Plovers and how a community came together to protect these fierce and charismatic tiny shorebirds.

Learn about Blaze and Pepper, two captive-reared piping plovers released on the shores of Waukegan in 2023, who returned in 2024 to successfully fledge three young.... a milestone for Lake County.

From dedicated volunteers to local partners across Waukegan and Lake County, this inspiring film highlights the conservation, collaboration, and hope behind the species’ return to our Lake Michigan shoreline.

Following the screening, Piping Plover Monitors will answer questions and share updates about the 2025 season, including where the plovers are spending their winter and what’s ahead for the coming year.

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