Level 3

Photo of vernal pool by Jeff Strobel
Program Status
  • Active
  • Seeking Volunteers
Additional Info

 

Riveredge Ephemeral Pond Monitoring Program

The purpose of this volunteer based project is to train citizens to identify, describe and monitor the ecology of ephemeral ponds.

The information that’s gathered is then shared with the Wisconsin Ephemeral Ponds Project (WEPP). The objective is to collect ephemeral wetland site data that will lead to a better understanding of the

geography and ecology of Wisconsin’s ephemeral pond habitats. The goal is to provide mapping tools and science-based knowledge on isolated wetlands that will facilitate the development of multiple land-use conservation strategies.

Photo submitted by Mark Holleback, Riveredge Nature CenterWho

Interested citizen volunteers (adults & teens with a parent) go through a two-day training at Riveredge during which they learn water quality sampling techniques, hydrologic monitoring, amphibian & aquatic invertebrate sampling and identification, and site location and delineation using handheld GPS receivers.

Where

The Riveredge Ephemeral Pond Monitoring Program is being conducted within the Milwaukee River Drainage Basin (mainly Washington & Ozaukee Counties). Our contact information follows. Citizens outside of our service area can join participate in the statewide Southeast Wisconsin Ephemeral Ponds Citizen Monitoring Project by contacting Tom Bernthal or by viewing the level 3 project description for that project in this site.

When

Ephemeral pond monitoring is done monthly beginning in March for four months (or until the ponds dry up). Contact Mary Holleback to arrange for training.

Contacts:
Mary Holleback
 1.800.287.8098
maryh@riveredge.us

Marc White
1.800.287.8098
mwhite@riveredge.us

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