Daria Hyde Michigan Natural Features Inventory. Stewardship Conference January 24, 2015

Volunteer Vernal Pool Mapping and Monitoring Daria Hyde Michigan Natural Features Inventory Stewardship Conference January 24, 2015

Volunteer Vernal Pool Program Researched other state programs Attended VP training in Ohio Volunteers help verify, map, and monitor vernal pools in the field. Collect data using standard protocol Obligate species Physical characteristics Photo-document pools and associated fauna and flora Contribute to statewide VP database Launched volunteer program in MI

Volunteer Recruitment DNR State Parks- Stewardship Huron River Watershed Council MSUE- Conservation Stewards DNR Wildlife Stewardship Network Wildflower Conference Huron Pines Montmorency CC

Volunteer Training Volunteer Training- 4/12/12: 9-12:30 Indoor and Field Waterloo Rec. Area Volunteer Training 3/30/13: 10-2:30 Indoor and Field Proud Lake Rec. Area Refresher Training 4/24/14 : 9-12:30 Indoor and Field Proud Lake Rec. Area.

Volunteer Pilot Program Volunteers Monitored Potential Vernal Pools in 4 State Recreation Areas in SE Michigan from 2012-2014 Highland SRA Proud Lake SRA Pinckney SRA Waterloo SRA

Volunteer Contribution 2012 14 teams (30 people) 32 PVP s monitored Two to Three Visits 180 hours logged! 2014 (many repeat visits) 7 teams (14 people) 13 PVP s monitored Two to Three Visits Approx. 60 hours logged 2013 19 teams (37 people) 48 PVP s monitored Two to Three Visits Over 200 hours logged

Amphibians & Reptiles Blue spotted salamander Spotted salamander Chorus frog Green frog Leopard frog Spring peeper Wood frog (MANY!) Blanding s turtle Garter snake Northern water snake Ribbon snake

Invertebrates Documented (28 types) Amphipods Aquatic worms Backswimmer Caddisfly case Clam shrimp Cocapod Crayfish Damselfly Daphnia with eggs Dragonfly Fairy shrimp Fingernail Clams Fly larvae Freshwater snails Isopods Leech Mayfly Midge larvae Millipede Mosquito larvae Ostracod Slug Springtails Water beetles Water fleas Water mite Water striders Wolf spider VID_20130409_122209_440.mp4

Plants Documented Trillium Garlic mustard Tussock sedges Skunk cabbage Mayapple

Plants Documented Hepatica Reed Canary Grass Yellow water crowfoot Yellow water crowfoot Ranunculus flabellaris

2012 Summary of 2012 2014 Data 16 PVP s confirmed- yes 9 PVP s confirmed- no 7 PVP s : Need more data 2013 30 PVP s confirmed - yes 7 PVP s confirmed no 9 PVP s: need more data 2014 11 PVP s confirmed-yes 1 PVP confirmed- no 1 PVP: need more data

Citizen Science-Based Vernal Pool Program SE LP 2012-20132013 53 volunteers (38% returning) Visited 75 PVPs Over 440 hours logged High data return rate Good data quality

Data quality was good Most forms complete Some data missing Some data not submitted Volunteer Data Most Maps/diagrams were clear Most photos clearly labeled Erin Lavender & Susanne Greenlee Data submitted Some used Dropbox Some sent through email Some mailed in forms/photos

Feedback From Volunteers 2012: Input received at Volunteer Appreciation Lunch Form was easy to understand and complete. Some found it difficult to find potential vernal pool. Some were not sure how to classify the habitat and were unfamiliar with ecological terms.

Feedback From Volunteers Indoor Presentation was informative Learned importance of VP s How to id frog vs salamander eggs Learned about obligate species in VP s Many want a refresher training Enjoyed the field training Liked one-on-one with trainers. Helped to practice collecting data and completing the field form. Good to compare VP with a permanent wetland Enjoyed learning to ID inverts!

2012 Volunteer Survey Is there additional training that would be helpful to you in monitoring vernal pools? Answer Options Response Percent Response Count How to use GPS to navigate and record data 44.4% 8 How to create and label maps and upload data 33.3% 6 How to take better photographs in the field 27.8% 5 How to identify invertebrates 38.9% 7 How to identify amphibians and reptiles 38.9% 7 How to identify natural communities 27.8% 5 Field-based training to look at different types of vernal 44.4% 8 Other (please specify) 5 answered question skipped question 18 3

Feedback from Volunteers 2013 Volunteer Survey Results SE MI 22 (59%) of 37 volunteers responded 100% felt adequately trained to monitor vernal pools and felt that the procedures were easy to follow. 95% would participate in future training events. 85% want to continue to monitor vernal pools. 55% would be willing to mentor/train others.

Addressing Challenges 1. Difficulty in navigating to potential vernal pools Provide training in use of GPS and reading maps. Provide topo map to help them draw base map of VP. Encourage volunteers to contact us if need help. 2. Difficulty in accessing site due to briars, dead and downed trees, etc. Discuss with park managers whether an alternate trail could be used or whether briars could be cut to create a small trail leading to the pool?

Addressing Challenges 3. Lack of access to technology (GPS units, smartphones, mapping software, Dropbox). Try to insure that at least one member of each group has access to a GPS unit or similar device and has ability to create maps to document survey information. 4. Some unable to finish surveys or submit data (life gets in the way sometimes!) Designate one person in group to submit data. Provide a checklist for leaders of what to submit.

Citizen Science-Based Vernal Pool Program NE LP 2014 Funded by MNA and Hillman Community Education Foundation Huron Pines lead Montmorency Co. Cons. Club Montmorency County CD Headwaters Land Cons. MDNR 22 volunteers High school teacher and class

Citizen Science-Based Vernal Pool Program K-12 Program- Vernal Pool Patrol Roscommon Co. Pilot 2015 MSU Extension, 4-H, MNFI Middle school 6th/7th grade Lots of interest and potential Applying for funding to launch program Honda Foundation, Great Lakes Fishery Trust

Citizen Science Opportunities Vernal Pools: Easy to access and study Great way to engage volunteers! Families enjoy getting kids outdoors to learn while doing something fun!

Citizen Science Opportunities Margaret Kogstrom People enjoy contributing and learning new skills. Good to have more eyes and ears documenting VP s and associated plants & animals, and threats to their habitat.

Citizen Science Opportunities Potential to map/assess VP s statewide MNFI would like to collaborate with: Conservation Partners Volunteers can monitor VP s on preserves, public and private land. Teachers and Youth Programs Place-based education: 6-12 th grade Embrace technology Crowd sourcing Smart phone/tablet apps

Proposed Approach Identify and collaborate with local, regional, and state partners to implement program MNA key partner MI VP Partnership Work with a broad range of volunteers / citizen scientists adults and youth Map potential vernal pools statewide 5-year initiative

Partner Role and Responsibilities MNFI and MNA Coordinate program at statewide level Partners Training Resources/materials Statewide VP database Program support Local partners - Coordinate and manage the volunteer program at the local level Volunteers Training & materials/supplies Data compilation Communication

Questions? Daria Hyde hydeda@msu.edu Yu Man Lee leeyum@msu.edu