Wisconsin Wetlands: Volunteer Monitoring Programs

Volunteer monitoring projects offer you the chance to get out into wetlands, increase your wetland knowledge and contribute to understanding and protecting them. There are several ongoing volunteer monitoring projects under way in Wisconsin wetlands.

Statewide

• Wisconsin’s First Salamander Survey

  Volunteer monitors will place live traps in local wetland sites, checking them daily over a two week period in early April. Willing participants must belong to or join a Wisconsin Audubon chapter to become a salamander citizen monitor. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer salamander monitor and receive web-based or workshop training, please contact Rick Fare at 262.632.7585 or rick.fare@hoyaudubon.org

• Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey [exit DNR]

  Survey routes consist of 10 sites which are monitored 3 times yearly, April 8-30, May 20 - June 5, and July 1-15. Surveys start at dusk. The occurrence of each frog species is determined by presence or absence of their song. If you are interested in volunteering with the WFTS, please first contact them at the Bureau of Endangered Resources so we can inform you if we are in need of volunteers in your area. WFTS@wisconsin.gov or 608-267-0849

• Wisconsin Odonata Survey [exit DNR]

  An excellent goal for volunteers is to thoroughly document the diversity of dragonflies and damselflies at one or a few sites near their home. To do so, visit the site at 10-day to two-week intervals during the entire flight period (late April through October).

South Central Region

• Horicon Marsh Bird Club [exit DNR]

  The Bird Club will be involved in monitoring some of the bird populations at Horicon Marsh and other locales. Bird Club activities are available for novice and expert birders alike. We encourage you to join us in observing and studying Wisconsin Birds.

Southeast Region

• Ephemeral Ponds Citizen Monitoring Network [exit DNR]

  Adults in Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha counties are invited to participate. Volunteers will identify, inventory, and monitor the ecology of ephemeral ponds. Monitoring is conducted monthly beginning in March for approximately four months (or until the ponds dry up). Orientation sessions are being held in November and December 2007 and January 2008 at a variety of locations in the participating counties.

Great Lakes Basin

• Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program [exit DNR]

  This bi-national program offers volunteers the opportunity to survey for calling amphibians (frogs and toads) between April and July 5, and/or survey marsh birds between mid-May and early July each year. Volunteers follow a standardized survey protocol; a training kit is provided. The program provides annual reports on survey results to participating volunteers.

More Information

For more information on wetland volunteer monitoring programs, please contact:

Tom Bernthal
(608) 266-3033