National Park Service to Hold Science Workshop

Date: August 31, 2016
Contact: Cape Hatteras National Seashore Superintendent, 252-475-9032

Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) will conduct a science workshop to evaluate factors affecting shorebirds and sea turtles on Seashore beaches. The workshop will take place from September 26-27, 2016 at: Ramada Plaza Nags Head Oceanfront, 1701 S Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948. A draft agenda will be circulated approximately one week ahead of the workshop.

As part of a recent effort to review and modify wildlife protection buffers at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the Seashore decided to organize a science workshop to improve their understanding of coastal wildlife ecology and work towards improving research and monitoring to inform future management.  

The first day of the workshop will include a series of presentations from scientific experts on species’ biology, population dynamics, and habitat needs. An objective panel of scientists has been selected to review and synthesize this information. During the second day, the panel will discuss the prior day’s presentations and conclusions related to the workshop goal. The goal of the panel is to:

Review current knowledge of the ecology, population dynamics, and habitat needs of beach-nesting bird and turtle species at Cape Hatteras National Seashore and prepare a written report that:

• Synthesizes the relevant scientific knowledge about the abiotic and biotic factors that may affect the species' use of Seashore habitats and their productivity;

• Assesses the role and relative importance of these abiotic and biotic factors in determining the species' use of Seashore habitat and their productivity;

• Assesses the reasonableness of the Seashore's management targets, a.k.a. desired future conditions for the species; and

• Provides conclusions about key uncertainties and scientific monitoring and research needs that would assist the Seashore in reaching management objectives through adaptive management.

The workshop is open to the public and a time for public comments will be available.