Wisconsin Ephemeral Ponds Project
The purpose of this volunteer-based project is to train citizens to identify, inventory, and monitor the ecology of ephemeral ponds. Ephemeral ponds are ponds that are present only a portion of the year, drying up later in the summer but available as habitat for a variety of amphibians, macroinvertebrates, and wildlife during spring and early summer. The objective of the project is to collect data that will lead to a better understanding of the location and ecology of Wisconsin’s ephemeral pond habitats.
In 2006, as part of the Wisconsin Ephemeral Ponds Project (WEPP), the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission began intensive mapping to update the digital Wisconsin Wetland Inventory in southeast Wisconsin. Improved mapping methods, applied to recent high-resolution digital imagery, allow the new maps to identify previously unmapped wetlands including ephemeral ponds. WEPP began monitoring selected ephemeral ponds to characterize the variety of types, their ecological significance, and to develop guidelines for protection and restoration.
This project builds on initial mapping efforts, involving citizens in the inventory and monitoring process.
This project began in 2008 in Southeastern Wisconsin's coastal counties and will continue in 2009 and beyond. Adults in Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha counties are invited to participate. (Note: Riveredge Nature Center in Washington County is coordinating a partner effort. Learn more about the Riveredge project >>)
Ephemeral pond monitoring is conducted monthly beginning in April with occasional site visits through the summer (or until the ponds dry up). Citizens are being sought to participate in the project now. view recruitment postcard >> (892 KB pdf file)
This project is sponsored by a grant from the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program. Local partners include Concordia University, Friends of Cedarburg Bog, Mequon Nature Preserve, Milwaukee County Zoo, Ozaukee Washington Land Trust, Pringle Nature Center, Richard Bong State Recreation Area, River Bend Nature Center, Riveredge Nature Center, Schlitz Audubon Nature Center,Sheboygan River Basin Partnership, UW-Parkside, Urban Ecology Center, and Wehr Nature Center.
For more information contact:
Contact:
Gail Epping Overholt
gail.overholt@ces.uwex.edu
414-256-4632
Citizens interested in ephemeral pond monitoring who live outside of the Southeast Wisconsin project area can contact:
Tom Bernthal
Thomas.Bernthal@wisconsin.gov
608-266-3033