Citizen Science -
Programs Not Related To Birding
(Please report inaccuracies and omissions by emailing us here: mailto:das@duluthaudubon.org)
Report
Lynx Sightings
Skill Level: Ability to identify species Timing: On-going
Help the NRRI advance its lynx research by reporting your lynx sightings.
Call 1-800-234-0054 or 218-720-4372, or email them at lynx@nrri.umn.edu.
Be sure to include the date, time, location and any interesting behavior
observed. Please leave your name and phone number in case the researchers have
any questions for you. Learn about lynx and the NRRI research program by
visiting http://www.nrri.umn.edu/lynx/
Report
Invasive Species
Skill Level: Booklet helps you identify species Timing:
Spring-Fall
Here's an easy way for you to help prevent or slow the spread of invasive
species in the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Wilderness. Our friends at the Friends of the BWCAW have prepared a booklet to
help you identify and report 18 mostly plant and aquatic non-native invasive
species. In reporting your sightings, be sure to include the type of species,
the exact location and how much you saw (for example, approximate area covered
by the plant.) The identification guide, which includes a reporting form, is
available online at http://www.friends-bwca.org/publication/non native invasive species.
Journey
North
Skill Level: Mainly for students K-12 Timing: Spring
While considered by many to be the premiere citizen science project for
children, the general public is also invited to participate in this global study
of wildlife migration and seasonal change. This program centers around the
students' field observations of the coming of spring by noting the migration
patterns of monarch butterflies, robins, hummingbirds, whooping cranes, bald
eagles and other bird and mammal behavior; the budding of plants; changing
sunlight and other natural events. The program includes migration maps,
pictures, lesson plans and other activities. Details are at http://www.learner.org/jnorth/
Scientific
& Natural Areas Volunteer Program
Skill Level: All Timing: Primarily Spring-Fall
While not technically a citizen science program, the value of our Scientific
and Naturals areas for research, etc. makes this program worth mentioning.
Volunteers in this program help by collecting seeds, planting seedlings,
controlling exotic species and many other site management tasks. Work days are
normally on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. http://www.mn.dnr.us/volunteering/sna/index
Zebra
Mussel Monitoring Program
Skill Level: Ability to identify species Timing:
Spring-Fall
You can help stop the spread of invasive zebra mussels in our lakes and
rivers by spending a few minutes monitoring the lake or river where you live. No
specialized equipment is needed. You simply inspect hard surfaces for the
mussels, such as docks, dock floats and supports, swimming platforms, boats,
motors, etc. You can also examine rocks and other hard surfaces along the
shoreline and in shallow water. As an optional activity, you can even make your
own, simple zebra mussel monitoring device. Help save your own lake by visiting http://www.mn.dnr.us/volunteering/zebramussel_monitoring/index.
Monitor
Lake Levels
Skill Level: None Timing: Spring-Fall
Help determine lakeshore land use and explore the interaction between a lake
and its watershed by monitoring the lake levels on your lake. The DNR will
install either a permanent or temporary lake level gauge that you will read once
a week, at approximately the same time each week, and within 12-24 hours after a
rainfall of two inches or more. Postcards are provided for you to submit your
readings. http://www.mn.dnr.us/volunteering/lakelevelmn.
Citizen
Lake Monitoring Program
Skill Level: None Timing: Summer
If you live on a lake or you are a frequent user of a particular lake, and
you have a boat or canoe, you can help scientists detect signs of degradation to
a lake by providing long-term transparency monitoring using a Secchi disk.
Generally, the sooner water quality problems are detected, the easier and less
expensive it is to restore a lake to its previous state, and lake transparency
is a good indicator of potential problems. About once a week, volunteers boat to
a designated spot on the lake and lower the Secchi disk into the water until it
is no longer visible, then they drop the disk a little farther, slowly bring it
back up and note when the disk becomes visible again. Data sheets are sent in at
the end of summer. http://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/clmp.html
Citizen
Stream Monitoring Program
Skill Level: Low Timing: Spring-Fall
About 400 volunteers monitor over 700 sites, helping PCA scientists and
researchers monitor improvements or declines in stream water quality. Volunteers
use a transparency tube to measure water transparency, note the appearance of
the water, judge its suitability for recreational purposes, and measure
precipitation and water levels. Findings help to promote awareness and
understanding of water-quality issues. http://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/csmp.html
Minnesota
Waters
Skill Level: Workshop required Timing: Spring-Fall
Minnesota Waters is a partnership effort with Michelob Golden Draft Light,
the Bush Foundation, MPCA and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Trained
volunteers measure the health of lakes and rivers and collect water-quality
data.
Visit http://www.minnesotawaters.org
for more information.
St. Louis River Watch and Water
Watch
Skill Level: Local student groups Timing: Spring-Fall
River Watch is now being operated by the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community
College on the Minnesota side of the river. Water Watch, a similar program on
the Wisconsin side of the river, is conducted by the Lake Superior Research
Institute and the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Local student groups
monitor water quality of the St. Louis River and other local streams. http://www.slriverwatch.org/RiverWatchers.asp
NABA
Butterfly Counts
Skill Level: Ability to identify butterflies Timing:
Summer
This is a one-day census by the North American Butterfly Association of all
butterflies within a 15-mile diameter. To participate, you should contact a
compiler in your area. If there is no count in your area, you can start on your
own, but you must be able to identify butterflies. For maps, highlights of
previous counts and information on how to contact local compilers, go to http://www.naba.org/counts.html
Monarch
Larva Monitoring Project
Skill Level: Moderate Timing: Summer
The University of Minnesota began the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project back
in 1997. Citizen scientists participate by collecting data that will help to
explain "the distribution and abundance patterns of Monarch butterflies in
North America." Full information is at http://www.mlmp.org.
Minnesota
Frog and Toad Calling Survey
Skill Level: Ability to identify frogs and toads by sight and
sound
Timing: April-July
This is an ongoing statewide program sponsored by the DNR's Nongame Wildlife
Program. Volunteers collect data by listening to and identifying frog and toad
species on specified 10-stop routes during three different periods from
mid-April to mid-July. The study provides information on where species are
located throughout the state, and how their populations change in abundance and
distribution. There's a map to check for available routes at http://www.mn.dnr.us/volunteering/frogtoad_survey/index
Boulder
Lake Frog and Toad Survey
Skill Level: Same as above Timing: May-July
To learn how you can participate in the Boulder Lake Environmental Learning
Center's frog and toad survey, visit http://www.nrri.umn.edu/boulder/research/citizen/frog/index.
Great
Lakes Worm Watch
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced Timing: Fall; also
Spring-Fall
Earthworms are invading our northern forests causing much habitat
destruction, including habitat that's necessary for ground-nesting birds. By
participating in the Great Lakes Worm Watch, you can help monitor the spread and
distribution of earthworms throughout our area. Typically, participants collect
data through their own "plot based earthworm survey," in which very
small plots of land and different extraction techniques are used to count the
number of earthworms and/or estimate the biomass of the sampling. For those who
don't wish to perform plot based surveys, there are other ways to document
earthworm occurrence. Regardless of your level of expertise, researchers stress
that all your observations are valuable to them. Fall is usually the best time
to conduct your surveys, but sampling Spring through Fall can reveal population
changes during the season. If you'd simply like to assist in an on-going
program, both Hartley Nature Center and Boulder Lake Environmental Learning
Center participate in the GLWW. For lots of information, including everything
you need to know to conduct your own earthworm and habitat studies, visit http://www.nrri.umn.edu/worms/.
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