In 2001, the East Bay Regional Park District created a least tern sanctuary at Hayward Regional Shoreline in California to help protect the endangered bird. Dow AgroSciences contributed a combination of Milestone®, Capstone®, Rodeo® and Dimension® specialty herbicides to curb the overgrowth of vegetation.
A partnership between California Department of Transportation and Dow AgroSciences helped curtail rapid vegetative growth on the island, which previously had restricted nesting opportunities.
Since then, least tern numbers have increased gradually, with 189 incubated nests recorded in 2012. The record 162 breeding pairs produced 228 chicks, giving resurgence to the highly endangered West Coast species. The Hayward Regional Shoreline is now the second-largest least tern colony north of Ventura County.
When treating areas in and around roadside or utility rights-of-way that are or will be grazed, hayed or planted to forage, important label precautions apply regarding harvesting hay from treated sites, using manure from animals grazing on treated areas or rotating the treated area to sensitive crops. See the product label for details. State restrictions on the sale and use of Capstone, Dimension specialty herbicide products and Milestone apply. Consult the label before purchase or use for full details.
