March 2nd, 2007
monitoring projects
Yesterday, I wrote that I’d try to put together a small list of nature monitoring projects that some of you might find of interest. We had something of a minor snowstorm here this morning, so I spent a couple of hours looking around the net to see what I could dig up. This is a list of projects that tweaked my own interest. I’ve participated in a couple of them in the past, and am intending to give at least 2 or 3 more of them a try this year — most likely the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project, and the Ontario Turtle Tally, and as mentioned in my comments to yesterday’s post, I’m checking into doing a couple of Marsh Monitoring Program sites somewhere close to home.
My criteria for the list was that most of the projects should be “independent” projects where one can learn to do without taking a training workshop, and then input data online — although there are probably a couple of exceptions to that rule. Most are free of charge for participation, but a few do charge for materials fees (the Monarch Watch tagging program being one I can think of offhand). I didn’t check to make sure each project is active in 2007, but it seemed that most are. As you’ll see, the list is heavily weighted to Canadian programs, but I did include some U.S. and even one from the U.K. I encourage any of you to send along links to programs you know of — anywhere in the world, for that matter, as a lot of people from all over the place read this blog.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I think it’s pretty neat that there is such a selection of monitoring programs for a wide range of flora and fauna. I find that rather encouraging as it seems to me that there wouldn’t be so many projects if there was little interest.
By the way, to make it easy to find the list again in future, I’ve given it a page of its own, and you’ll see its tab up at the top of this blog’s banner – it reads “citizen science”. Just click on that tab to get to the page in future.
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:06 pm
I noticed that Wayne used the term “citizen science” in the comments below, and that he referenced someone else using it as well. What a fantastic and enlightening concept. I am looking forward to perusing the list you’ve linked to. The marine mammal rescue project that we are beginning to work with also contributes to a bioindicator database. One of the things they (we) look for are unusual morbidity events. The concept of “citizen science” helps us to both observe and be responsible for our world. A fantastic thing.
March 3rd, 2007 at 12:27 am
robin – I think the marine mammal rescue project is going to be very interesting! Here’s another program that might appeal to you — it looks like you could participate at whatever level you liked…from just contributing the odd nature observation, through to conducting a continuing habitat survey on a chosen site. It’s called the Washington NatureMapping program. It looks to me like the site is up to date. I did a little checking around on it and it looks like you can contribute your nature observations online. Here’s a link to the page that explains how to participate. I’ll add it to the “citizen science” page I’ve put up so that it’s there if you want to look at it later.
And yes, I probably should have written a little more about the term “citizen science”. It’s actually been around for awhile, but we’re hearing it being used more in recent years in connection with programs that involve the public in field work, recording data, etc… I very much agree — being an informed observer and participant is a way of making a positive contribution to what we know about our world. By learning how to assess the what’s going on around us — and to do it in a scientific way — empowers us and gives us the kind of data we need to help protect the natural world.
March 3rd, 2007 at 9:52 am
That’s a great list, Bev, and a great idea to promote things like this. I’m going to have to put up my own list for our area. Unlike you, I have not participated in anything like this. It’s entirely new to me.
I’ve also been accumulating your suggestions on mollusks and crustaceans, and at least in my mind so far, combining them with plant indicator species. I’m still undecided about how to organize all that – there are indicators for presence of pollutants, and they are fuzzily distinct from invasive species, perhaps, and yet the latter (as in Microstegium, zebra mussels, and O. rustica) should surely be included as red alerts, though they might not say anything about the physical environment, per se.
Robin – I do like the term citizen science.
March 3rd, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Wayne – It would be great to assemble these kinds of lists for a number of areas. Once I began assembling the list, I realized just how difficult it was as there are a lot of programs around, but many are regional (provincial, state, or even city or county programs). It’s actually difficult to track them down, which is unfortunate for these programs as I would think people won’t find them and participate. It seems to me that there should be a better way to promote them — perhaps through a central clearing house kind of thing. There is something to that effect here in Canada on the Stewardship Canada website, but I was unable to find something comparable for the U.S. Btw, If anyone reading this knows of such a site, post a link in a comment and I’ll check it out.
One thing I should have mentioned, as well, when writing about these monitoring programs, is that the resource info on some sites is excellent. For example, there are some super images of all five instars of Monarch caterpillars on the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project website. Even if one doesn’t end up participating, there’s a lot to be learned on these websites. However, I actually do hope people participate in some of the programs or projects as it takes work to set them up online and their continued existence depends on some level of public interest and input.
March 3rd, 2007 at 4:15 pm
I’ve been spending some time this morning searching and creating a similar list and the US appears to be behind in any sort of centralized listing. Surprising to me, EPA and GA Dept of Natural Resources is fairly big into volunteer monitoring.
It’s getting a little easier distinguishing the volunteer monitoring sites from those that are mainly conservation sites, although there is some overlap. AtlantaAudubon has the usual bird monitoring on its website, and there’s even a Veterinarian site for monitoring wounded or sick animals.
I’ve also run across some very interesting PDF files that hold papers or, in one case, a dissertation on tailoring professional monitoring procedures to less formal, less rigorous, more easily done volunteer efforts.
There have been several references (including that dissertation) on using Louisiana waterthrushes (and presumably Northern Waterthrush) as bioindicators in addition to (or even in preference to) benthic invertebrates.
I’ve found fewer photos, although there are indeed some excellent ones. I should think that (to continue with the monitoring) at the very least, diagnostic photos of benthic invertebrates along with collecting procedures, audio files of indicator bird species, would all be nice to have on a site!
March 3rd, 2007 at 4:21 pm
A few additional links here – three PA-specific initiatives:
http://marciabonta.wordpress.com/about/links/
Folks ought to be able to find similar efforts in their own states and provinces by searching the websites of their state conservation and wildlife agencies, natural history museums, and field stations attached to public universities.
March 3rd, 2007 at 4:33 pm
I’ve also been doing a bit more checking around this morning – before going for a walk and almost having a Ruffed Grouse crash into my head, but that’s another story. (-:
I came across something kind of interesting that I’ll have to investigate further on the Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network (EMAN). It’s a Monitoring Protocol database — presumably for tracking down monitoring protocols for surveys and the like. I gave it a try and it did connect me with some interesting things. Here’s the link in case you want to take a look. It seems as though the framework is in place for various kinds of monitoring to take place, but from what I have gathered from some poking around, it seems like a lot of these programs are only lightly used so far. Maybe a lot of people aren’t aware of how many of these programs there are… which brings me to the comment that Dave has just posted while I was writing this.
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Dave – Yes, good advice for everyone. I’ve been aware of several monitoring projects up here (and have participated in some), but I find that the general public or even interested naturalists seem unaware of the programs. I don’t really know what can be done to increase awareness other than to try to get more people talking about what’s available. In my own area, I’m going to try stir up some interest in monitoring insects and spiders this summer. There is already quite a bit going on locally with amphibians and reptiles, but I think the Ontario Turtle Tally may be a good project to participate in as it seems set up to allow for reporting of roadkilled turtles, which is damned inportant information. One site I should have included for “up here” is the site for reporting endangered species and species at risk here in Ontario.
March 3rd, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Dave – Thanks for adding my Citizen Science link page to Marcia’s list of Citizen Initiatives. I’ve just added that link page to the C.S. links under a new heading where I’ll list any blog pages I find that have info on citizen science programs.
March 5th, 2007 at 9:04 am
Hi Burning Silo
Thanks for including the Marsh Monitoring Program in your materials. Yes you are correct that you can volunteer for the MMP without attending a training session but we have learnt that some people prefer to have an information/training session prior to participating. Because of this we are offering the following sessions in Ontario this year:
Bird Studies Canada’s Marsh Monitoring Program (MMP) is seeking wetland enthusiasts to be trained as amphibian and/or marsh bird monitors (no prior experience necessary) for wetland areas in Ontario. As part of this program several MMP Training and Orientation Sessions are being held throughout the province.
Anyone interested in participating in the MMP can attend one of the following sessions:
* Belleville: Friday 9 March 7:00 p.m. at the Quinte Conservation office, Marsh Bird Monitoring, contact Terry Sprague at tsprague@kos.net.
* Barrie: Saturday 17 March 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Georgian College; contact Wanda Haydt at aqsurvey@bsc-eoc.org.
* Port Rowan/Long Point: Saturday 24 March 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Bird Studies Canada Headquarters; contact Wanda Haydt at aqsurvey@bsc-eoc.org.
* Ottawa: Monday 26 March 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Carleton University, Nesbitt Building; contact Wanda Haydt at aqsurvey@bsc-eoc.org.
* Cornwall: Wednesday 28 March 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; for more information contact Jordan Kevan at jkevan@riverinstitute.ca, (613) 936-6620 ext. 224.
* Arnprior: Tuesday 3 April; meeting of the MacNamara Field Naturalists; for more information contact Kathy Jones at aqsurvey@bsc-eoc.org
For more information please email the contact provided or phone Kathy Jones at Bird Studies Canada (1-888-448-2473 ext. 212). The Belleville sessions are funded by the Great Lakes Sustainability Fund, while all other sessions are funded by Toronto Dominion Friends of the Environment Foundation.
March 5th, 2007 at 9:39 am
Kathy – Thanks very much for posting information about the upcoming training and orientation sessions scheduled for Ontario!