By Kira Dayton, Stewardship Coordinator
This year, Restoring Lands launched several new opportunities for community science volunteer programming, aiming to increase data collection and wildlife awareness on our preserves while involving community members in the scientific process. Volunteers participated in funnel trap monitoring and amphibian presence monitoring along wetlands on our preserves, searching for frogs, salamanders, and crayfish. Throughout the spring and summer, 24 community members volunteered with us and attended our community science orientation. Starting this March, 8 people funnel trapped in 5 wetlands at Forest Beach Migratory Preserve, Mayhew Preserve, Pavcek Preserve, and Kratzsch Conservancy.
At Forest Beach, 198 total salamanders and frogs were found. The species found included blue-spotted salamander, boreal chorus frog, green frog, wood frog, northern leopard frog, spring peeper, American toad, and Cope’s gray treefrog for a total of 8 species. Calling frogs were abundant on the shores of these wetlands, filling the spring air with their unique songs. There were also reported sightings of turtles, minks, and many bird species that utilize the variety of habitats this preserve has to offer. The diversity of amphibians and wildlife found at this site is exciting to see!
Mayhew Preserve was surveyed for the first time where altogether 127 salamanders and frogs were found. The wetland surveyed was a recently restored scrape constructed by Restoring Lands (a scrape is a technique used in wetland management that involves creating shallow areas in a body of water or former wetland to mimic natural processes, promote biodiversity, and reestablish a wetland). The species found included blue-spotted salamander, boreal chorus frog, northern leopard frog, spring peeper, green frog, and American toad for a total of 6 species. This was the 1st documentation at this preserve for many of these species! This is a great sign that these species are calling the restored farmland at Mayhew Preserve home.
At Pavcek Preserve, 5 salamanders and crayfish were found. The pond surveyed at this preserve was an ephemeral wetland, meaning that the wetland is seasonal, and the water dries up at the end of spring. The species found included Blue-Spotted Salamander and prairie crayfish for a total of 2 species. This is the 1st time that prairie crayfish, a special concern species in Wisconsin, has been found on this site! There were also many fairy shrimp found on this preserve, an indicator of healthy ephemeral ponds.
At Kratzsch Conservancy, 7 frogs were found including wood frogs, chorus frogs, and spring peepers for a total of 3 species. There were also reports of painted turtles, snapping turtles, and mink, indicating biodiverse wetland communities exist at this site!
Community science volunteers also participated in amphibian presence monitoring, where 6 people surveyed wetlands for frog calls and amphibian presence along the shores of wetlands. Monitoring frog calls is important because it indicates whether there is a healthy breeding population of a specific species on a site. In general, frog presence can help indicate the health of an ecosystem. Donges Bay Gorge, South Oak, Decorah Woods, Fellenz Woods, and Spirit Lake were all surveyed for a total of 9 wetlands.
At Donges Bay Gorge, spring peepers, wood frogs, and Cope’s gray treefrogs were heard calling for a total of 3 species.
At Fellenz Woods, wood frogs, boreal chorus frogs, spring peepers, and green frogs were heard calling for a total of 3 species.
At Spirit Lake, green frogs and American bullfrogs were heard calling for a total of 2 species.
The dedication of our amazing volunteers to their sites during the monitoring process was impressive, and those who participated enjoyed getting to know the habitat and wildlife of the preserve they monitored! One volunteer mentioned, “It is always great to be out in one of your preserves, and doing something helpful is a bonus.” Other volunteers mentioned that they enjoyed learning the local amphibians that reside in Southeast Wisconsin, stating “I can’t wait to hear all the spring peepers next year!” Restoring Lands would like to acknowledge the work that volunteers put in to not only collecting data but also learning about the processes of their specific monitoring technique, and how to identify the possible wildlife of the preserves. The data that was collected is valuable to Restoring Lands, where we will be able to use it for future endeavors.
While these amazing community members worked hard on collecting amphibian, crayfish, and macroinvertebrate data for our preserves, Restoring Lands also wanted to thank our community members who contributed to scientific data by submitting iNaturalist observations and eBird checklists. Each contribution to wildlife presence data on our preserves is crucial for informing us of the biodiversity we are trying to protect. Wildlife presence data aids us in making land management and restoration decisions, as well as helping to protect the habitat that these sensitive species rely on.
Restoring Lands would like to thank each and every volunteer who contributed to our first year of this community science programming. We plan on continuing this program in future years and encourage community members to continue to join us. Keep an eye out for further news and programming regarding community science and wildlife inventory on our preserves! If anyone has questions or feedback regarding the community science programming and processes, you can reach out to us at volunteer@restoringlands.org
