Mississippi River Wild

Frog and Toad Survey

Hello to All!

If anyone is itching for spring to come, I have something that might help. Both Wisconsin and Minnesota do frog and toad surveys as state wide efforts. Routes are set up across the states, and each route is surveyed 3 times during the season (April, May/June, and July). Surveys are done after sunset, so usually these surveys work better into people's work schedules. Plus the survey times are spread out over many days, so you can pick the day that works for you and the weather. You do have to differentiate the different frog and toad species, but the good news is that there are very few compared to birds (and I am willing to help train)! You will need a vehicle to drive from spot to spot, but after that you just need the data sheet and ears.

This is a great way to get out and enjoy the outdoors at a different time than people usually do. If you are interested, below you will see an email from Ann with WIDNR about some routes in the area that are open. If you have any questions about the survey, you can either email me back or just talk directly with Ann (contact information below).

If you would like to see all the open routes go to: http://wiatri.net/inventory/FrogToadSurvey/googlemaps/RouteFinder.cfm

General information for WI DNR
http://wiatri.net/inventory/FrogToadSurvey/

For those of you in MN
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteering/frogtoad_survey/index.html

Also, since I picked up a route for this coming year, anyone is allowed to ride along.

Thanks,

Jess

Jessica Larson
Wildlife Biologist
U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Sports and Vacation Show

The annual Sports and Vacation show will be February 11-14 (Thursday-Sunday). We are on the main floor this time. We are really limited with space this year so no more than one fisheries/refuge Friends member is needed at a time. We just need one Refuge and one Fishery person. There are openings Friday night, all Saturday, and Sunday morning.

This is a great time to spread the message for our Friends Groups. E-mail Mark Steingraeger at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and let him know when you can work. We need a fishery and refuge volunteer for all the times listed. Thanks for helping spread the word about the Upper Miss resources.

Mississippi River Wild is asking for Volunteers!

The new observation deck south of Brownsville is getting 50 to 60 cars/day stopping to view the island construction project. Hundreds more are expected when the fall migration sets in.

Mississippi River Wild needs volunteers to help interpret the construction and the wildlife seen from the deck. We hope to make this an ongoing program and we need your help! It's our best opportunity to gain support for conserving the natural resources of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge.

You don't need to be an expert. We will provide you with basic training and materials. Just bring your enthusiasm for our refuge, birds and wildlife.
We are asking you to attend a one hour orientation and training session. Dates to be announced.

You need attend only one session (we scheduled 2 to allow for schedule conflicts). We will have an alternate indoor site nearby so meet at the overlook, rain or shine.

There is no mandatory time commitment for volunteers. Give as much time as you can. With enough help we will be able to reach out to thousands of visitors each year. The Brownsville Observation Deck has become "the bird watching destination". It's even a featured tour in the latest Elderhostel catalogue and, in the 3 weeks it was open last fall, received over 5,000 visitors.

This a great chance to help others appreciate our wildlife, have fun, and give back to the Upper Miss. If you are willing and able to volunteer, please let us know what training session you wish to attend.

Contact Ken Visger :
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

home: 507-894-4715

Thanks for helping Mississippi River Wild care for your refuge!

Download the Volunteer Information Form (PDF)

Download a blank volunteer time sheet

Contact Kara Zwickey

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Opportunity Time Frames

March - November

1) Assistance conducting weekly reference area checks for trematode-caused waterbird die-offs on Pools 7 & 8. Assist collecting sick/dead waterfowl. On going, 1 day each event
7) River clean up. Unlimited, on going

April – May

1) Post beach signs. Unlimited, on going

April – October

1)  Post boundary.  Unlimited, on going
2)  Survey past beetle release sites to determine presence and effect on purple loosestrife plants. 4 people, 2 days
4)  Bald eagle nest surveys.  2 people, multiple events (1 day each)
5)  Bittern/rail surveys.  2 people, 1 day
6)  Motorboat Operator Certification Course
7)  Assist with reed canary grass study  4 people, on going

May – August

1) Map crown vetch from boat. Unlimited, on going

June

1)    Heron colony counts  4 people, on going
2)   Goose banding  4 people, on going
June – August
1)    Map Japanese bamboo  unlimited, on going
2)   Collect plants for botanical library.  Unlimited, on going

July

1)  Assist transporting purple loosestrife plants with beetles to designated areas.  4 people, 2 days
2)  Repair and store insectary for next year.  3 people, 1 day
3)  Aquatic vegetation sampling.  6 people, 6 days

August

1) Assist with wildcelery sampling survey on LakeOnalaska. 10 people, 1 day
2) Band wood ducks. 6 people, on going

September

1)    Assist with macro invertebrate sampling in Pools 7 and 8.  6 people, 3 days
2)   Band wood ducks.  6 people, on going
3)   Post random sampling sites for reed canary grass study.  4 people, on going
4)   Construct seed traps for reed canary grass study.  4 people, 4 days

October

1)    Assist deploying buoys marking the boundaries of the Lake Onalaska Voluntary Waterfowl Avoidance Area and Goose Island.  2 people, 2 days
October – November
1)    Staff the Brownsville Overlook during peak migration to answer questions and provide information about migration, swans, island building, etc.  2 people, on going
2)   Hunter bag checks and avian influenza sampling. 12 people, 2 days

MRW

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