ECOLOGICAL VOLUNTEER POSSIBILITIES:2007
If you are interested in volunteering a few hours a week (or the equivalent) in an environmental program, getting to know someone who can write you a letter of recommendation, getting hands-on experience, testing your commitment to environmental work, and earning credits in Zoology 677 or 699, then consider the following possibilities and talk to Dr. Stanley Dodson (444 Birge Hall, 262-6395, sidodson@wisc.edu). The general rule is 3 hours per week per credit per semester, with a short report due at the end of the semester. There is also a reading requirement. Zoology 677 is given for two credits, meets as a class only a few times per semester, and requires a total of 78 hours of volunteer participation during the Spring semester. Zoology 699 can be taken for one or more credits, (with a usual maximum of 4 credits) any semester.
The Morgridge Centeroffers a free cab ride to any volunteer at UW who goes some place that's beyond bus routes. It's a great service. You just have to make sure to e-mail them 2 business days ahead of time, or over the weekend about a ride schedule for the following week. http://www.morgridge.wisc.edu/transportation.html
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Organization |
Contact Person |
Opportunity |
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UW Arboretum |
Judy Kingsbury Volunteer Program Coordinator (608) 262-5604
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We offer a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for students looking for experience in ecological restoration and other related activities. On the first four Saturdays of each month we hold ecological restoration work parties, from 9 a.m. to noon. We provide all the tools and instruction each time we meet. Meeting place and activities vary. Also available are opportunities to care for the Wisconsin Native Plant Gardens, assist with plant propagation, and to assist with research. Contact the volunteer program coordinator for more information. |
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Lakeshore Nature Preserve |
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The Lakeshore Nature Preserve covers over 300 acres of the main UW-Madison campus, including areas such as Picnic Point, the Lakeshore Path, and Muir Woods. Volunteer opportunities include ecological restoration, invasive plant control or development of educational materials such as self-guided interpretive brochures. Individual projects can be designed, or volunteers can join scheduled work parties. Dan Einstein -- Outreach manager.
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Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI 53704 |
Marty Petillo 246-5807 Volunteer Coordinator mpetillo@ci.madison.wi.us
Eve Komosa Director of Education, Olbrich Botanical Gardens (608) 246-4725 Phone
Anne Fischer 608-245-5791 Explorer Program Youth & Family Program Asst. |
Weekday and weekend olunteer opportunities in the gift shop, library, reception desk, education program, outdoor gardens & in the conservatory. Olbrich Gardens’ Blooming Butterflies Education Volunteer Intern Responsibilites: For a Spring & Summer commitment: The intern develop programs for and running the education portion of Olbrich’s 4 ½ week Blooming Butterflies event, featuring live butterflies, under Olbrich supervision. The Education Intern will assist in the implementation and maintenance of hands-on exhibits, programs and written materials for adult and youth. Applicants should have experience working with children, good communication skills, and enthusiasm for teaching. The positions provide practical experience in planning, managing and leading adult and youth educational programming, developing educational materials, interpretive displays & working with volunteers. Student Interns will teach youth classes, assist with volunteer supervision, and help manage the Explorer Program. Opportunities exist to develop new programming and improve existing programming. Students will gain experience in:Conservation biology education, Children’s education, Supervising adults, Program development, Writing and oral communication skills, and Human relations development. Explorer Program: The popular Olbrich Explorer Program offers hands-on activities and a guided tour through the Bolz Tropical Conservatory. Curriculum is currently available for school groups for grades Kindergarten through 3rd grade, broken down into 2 different levels: K/1 - Sensory exploration of plants in our lives, 2/3 - Environment and plant adaptations . The on-site lessons are broken down into 2 segments and involve activities for students in the Bolz Conservatory) and the Explorer Space (our hands-on activity center set up in the Atrium). A segment on Midwest ecology for grade 4/5 is being developed. The on-site activities are designed to be run by the teachers and mandatory adult leaders with assistance from Olbrich staff and volunteers. All involved in instruction are provided with a developed curriculum and training. For curriculum and more information on the Explorer Program, check Olbrichs website at www.olbrich.org |
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Henry Vilas Zoo |
Rick Bilkey 266-5922 Education Director “EdZOOcation” call & leave a |
Opportunities for helping with the education mission of the Zoo, working in the "Discovery Center". Volunteers must attend a training session. We need students to be available during one weekday morning of the week between the hours of 8:30 and 11A. Fill out an application at http://www.vilaszoo.org/ (“Support the Zoo”, “Volunteer”), and call. |
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Zoological Society. |
Judy Maygawa 258-9490 |
First, check out the information at the web site at http://www.vilaszoo.org/ the Zoological society focuses on visitor services, some education, and clean up and recycling activities. Pay particular attention to the “Animal Ambassadors” |
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UW Zoological Museum |
Paula Holahan 262-3766 Museum Registrar pmholahan@facstaff.wisc.edu
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Herpetology Collections Management at the University of Wisconsin Zoological Museum: The Zoological Museum has an opportunity for a zoology student who is interested in herpetology and is considering a career in museums. The Museum houses over 6,000 amphibian and reptile specimens stored in alcohol (70% ethanol). The student will assess each specimen, add ethanol to jars, and re-house specimens as needed. No weekend hours, no evening hours. This is a good chance to learn museum techniques. Students must contact the museum at least three weeks before the start of the semester and set up an appointment to discuss their interests with the museum staff. Course credit will be approved on a case-by-case basis. |
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Dept. of Natural Resources,
Bureau of Endangered Resources |
Kelly Kearns 267-5066 kearns@dnr.state.wi.us
See the DNR possibilities at the end of this document! |
Conduct library or herbarium research or develop educational materials on invasive plants, create a library (hard copy and/or electronic) of data, reports and observations on various invasive species, mount and label herbarium specimens, develop distribution maps for certain weedy species, develop web pages, develop slide shows and/or power point presentations, compile data on wild ginseng transactions and develop the annual report to the USFWS. Contact: Plant Conservation Program Manager (Kelly Kearns 267-5066 kearns@dnr.state.wi.us). Also consider Endangered Non-Game Species (Randy Jurewicz 267-7507 jurewr@dnr.state.wi.us), Natural Areas Management (Mark Martin 266-8916 martim@dnr.state.wi.us), and Heritage Inventory Section (Betty Les 266-3369 lesb@mail01.dnr.state.wi.us). |
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Dept. of Natural Resources:
Bureau of Research |
Wildlife and Forestry Rich Henderson 221-6347 richard.henderson@dnr.state.wi.us
Grassland Community Ecology Dave Sample 2216351 sampld@dnr.state.wi.us)
Non-Game Research Mike Mossman 221-6346 mossmm@dnr.state.wi.us
Fishes research John Lyons 221-6328 lyonsj@dnr.state.wi.us
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Ad hoc research projects desired rather than large coordinated work groups. Call the individual and develop a project in your area of interest. The projects are normally during working hours, and can be inside or outside. There is bus service to near the research building. Projects are typically volunteer, although pay is a possibility. Many of these research opportunities occur in the late Spring and during the Summer, including surveys of fish, birds, invertebrates, and terrestrial or aquatic plants. For most outside projects contact one of these people no later than April to facilitate being included in a research project. DNR web page: www.dnr.state.wi.us.org
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Dept. of Natural Resources Research Center |
Brock Woods 221-6349 brock.woods@dnr.state.wi.us
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My area of interest is biological control of invasive wetland and aquatic species of plants (Kelly Kearns works with mainly terrestrial plants), purple loosestrife in particular at present. I am responsible for trying to engender both research on and control of these exotic plants statewide with very little budget support. The way I have done this is, in fact, to set up a system for recruiting volunteers from the public to locally raise and release biocontrol organisms. This leaves me free--somewhat--to get at least a little monitoring work done. There's a lot more research that should be done, of course. Inevitably this practice involves a lot of educational work in order to recruit citizen workers, in addition to managing them, and doing our own management work and research. It has worked well since citizens have produced over 90% of the 9 million or so biocontrol beetles put out statewide to control loosestrife. I'd welcome student interest and help in any of these areas. Right now, for example, it'd be great to have someone who could help with data entry. |
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Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene |
Jocelyn Hemming Volunteer Coordinator 224-6230 hemminjc@mail.slh.wisc.edu |
The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene’s Biomonitoring Lab is looking for students interested in a volunteer opportunity in the area of applied environmental toxicology. The work includes maintenance of the micro-crustaceans Ceriodaphnia dubia, Daphnia magna and fathead minnow cultures for use in whole effluent toxicity testing. There is the possibility of conducting toxicity tests, depending on experience and knowledge gained during the semester. We generally take students for 1-3 credits, at 3 hours per credit. If interested, contact the Biomonitoring Lab at 224-6230. Please note that the lab is off-campus and located on the eastside of Madison, so students need to arrange their own transportation. |
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Dane County Humane Society |
Kim Krauth Volunteer & Outreach Director 838-0413, ext. 114 http://giveshelter.org/ |
Participate in an organized service-learning internship, in which you can design your own program within the possibilities offered by the Humane Society. Animal handling and office work opportunities are available, and there is also a program for wildlife rehabilitation. Located off of Stoughton Rd, South of the Beltline (not near a bus stop), so you will need a car. |
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The Nature Conservancy |
Rob Pflieger Volunteer Co-ordinator 251-8140 ext. 123 rpflieger@tnc.org |
Organized work parties tackle tasks such as brush cutting, seed collecting and boundary posting virtually every weekend at preserves within .5-1.5 h drive of Madison. Participants generally need own transportation. Volunteer newsletter lists dates, times and details. Volunteers also assist with office tasks, staffing display tables, library research, and more. http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/wisconsin/volunteer/ |
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Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation |
Don Ferber 222-9376 d_ferber@sbcglobal.net |
Come help build the vision of a 1200 mile National Scenic Trail through Wisconsin that traces the terminus of the glaciers from the last ice age over 10,000 years ago. It's an opportunity to connect people and place, community and nature, and past and present in providing a path for the future. This organization is well set up to take beginning volunteers, or volunteers interested in more advanced research. There is trail to build, exotic shrubs to remove, and workshops and hikes to help set up and run. The organization also has opportunities in education, outreach, and promotion. |
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***St Benedict Center
Holy Wisdom Monastery |
Nancy Schlimgen Naturalist 608-836-1631 ext. 159
nschlimgen@sbcenter.org
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We would be delighted to have a student (or students) out here to work on projects. Possible projects could include but are not limited to: 1. Researching and applying methods of invasive species control for species such as leafy spurge, spotted knapweed, etc., and tracking the results. 2. Researching methods and then doing an inventory of insects, breeding grassland birds, small mammals, or herptiles. 3. Researching and helping to establish native plants in the sometimes flooded area around the detention basin in the prairie. 4. Helping create educational materials to be used for groups/individuals interested in conservation/restoration. 5. Researching and helping to establish native woodland undergrowth in areas that have been cleared of buckthorn, box elder etc. 6. Researching effects of prescribed burning on prairie restorations, assisting in creating a burn regime at SBC and in doing the burns themselves. 7. Doing a detailed inventory of native plant species found in the prairie at SBC and making pressings of them (This would involve work over the summer months as well, and therefore might not be feasible for this particular program). Students will need to have their own transportation, but we will provide (or assist students in procuring) necessary equipment. The Center is also restoring a 17 acre prairie and developing environmental education programs focused on watershed education and restoration education. There is also a possibility of participating in a paid summer internship, a joint project with St. Benedict Center, WDNR, Madison Audubon, and River Land Conservancy. We hope to have a link by early next spring to Madison Audubon Society's website: http://madisonaudubon.org with the announcement for our collaborative summer paid internships. This year we offered 8-9 such positions together with Riverland Conservancy, the Oak Savanna Foundation, and WDNR. |
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Friends of Pheasant Branch |
Cheryl Redman 241-4820 ceredman@wisc.edu. |
Fieldwork focused on the Pheasant Branch stream and its associated riparian habitat, located at the north-west corner of Lake Mendota. Transportation is necessary. Participants need to be independent workers. |
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Aldo Leopold Nature Center (Monona) |
Karen Sonnenblick 221-4038
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Potential responsibilities include: assist Director in planning and coordinating school, afterschool & public programs, work with staff to design & locate hands-on curriculum that encourages individual discovery, office work, newsletter contributions, teach small groups of children, & develop educational and promotional materials, inventory plants & animals, & aid in restoration and management projects. Requirements include: a cheerful, positive and open attitude, creativity, independence and excellent organization skills. Computer skills are a plus. Gain experience in a highly successful hands-on nature study program; gain knowledge & inspiration by working with a diverse, experienced staff; learn about the flora & fauna of WI; gain insight on Aldo Leopold’s philosophy; gain valuable program development experience.
Additional opportunities to assist with land management in Monona and at our 40-acre Black Earth retreat center. Trail design, invasive plant management, and new prairie restoration efforts are just a few of the possibilities. Forestry education is a focus at our Black Earth site.
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Dane Co. Parks |
Rhea Stangel-Maier 224-3601 Parks Adult Conservation Team Manager
Main office 246-3896 Wayne Pauley 224-3603 |
Work with community-based partners who manage natural areas as volunteers. This work may expose the student to opportunities to work with small non-profits, conduct experiments and inventories. Some of these partners work in the Nine Springs E-Way (Madison area), Belfontaine (Pheasant Branch, Middleton area), Donald Park (Mt Vernon area and Walking Iron County Parks (Mazomanie). Projects can be arranged for spring semester, summer, or fall semester. Possible activities include seed collecting (mostly in October and can include working with youth), prairie planting (November), seed cleaning (December, January), weed control (April-October) and brush cutting or other field work (most of the year, best in spring and fall). Other possibilities include keeping records on seeds, and experiments with methods of field work and herbicide application. We provide tools. For the very self-motivated student, there may be opportunities to work on special projects. In the past students have worked on projects such as researching canoe access points in Dane County, a park classification system, volunteer resource guide and so on. In addition, we'd consider working with a group of students who can cut brush regularly at Prairie Moraine (a dog park on Hwy PB). Students have to be able to provide their own transportation, and the earlier students contact the volunteer coordinator, the better. Self motivation, initiative, and ability to work alone are good qualities for this opportunity. |
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Sierra Club |
Patrea Wilson 256-0565 Caryl Terrell cterrell@execpc.com |
Opportunities in public policy analysis and legislative lobbying on biodiversity, factory farming, mining, watersheds, etc. The work is mostly or entirely inside, including office work, but there are also opportunities for lobbying and/or educational experiences. Interns will be encouraged to talk to politicians and the public. |
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Madison Audubon Society |
Dave Drapac 255-bird mafdave@mailbag.com Volunteer Co-ordinator Mark and Sue Martin Goose Pond 635-4160 |
Seed collection at Goose Pond nearly every Saturday in the fall; ongoing wetland and prairie restoration, including the planting of more acres of prairie when appropriate. Also brush and noxious plant removal, frog counts, bird counts. Goose pond is located 20 miles north of Madison, S.E. of Arlington off Hwy. 5l. Office volunteers are also possible in Madison: filing, environmental issues, publicity and media, seed sale, education, art fair... There are summer interns who are paid, for people with commitment and enthusiasm for summer field work. [The entire class can collect and clean seed.] |
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International Crane Foundation |
Alyssa Rod Alysa@savingcranes.org 608- 356-9462 ext. 127
Jeb Barzen, Dir. of Field Ecology jeb@savingcranes.org 608.356.9462, ext 125
Mike Putnam, Curator of Birds putnam@savingcranes.org ext 159 |
Volunteers assist the Visitor Programs Coordinator of ICF's Education Department with planning of special events and programs, K-12 educational curriculum revisions, and the creation of a new educational program for families. Volunteers also work with other ICF staff members, assist in the development of educational and promotional materials, complete Education Department mailings, and perform other duties as needed. Volunteer position may prepare the student for future internship/employment opportunities. Requirements are a cheerful and energetic attitude, willingness to learn, and a basic knowledge of and appreciation for natural systems. |
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Trout Unlimited |
Tom Ehlert Special Projects Chair PO Box 11 Black Earth 53515 phone: 608-767-2413 Bill Pielsticker 592-4718 |
Some office work and symposium activity is possible, along with Stream Restoration activities. Students will learn about the complex biological, social, and political components of trout streams – thorny issues! The work days are on the weekend, and transportation is necessary. Because of seasonal restrictions, it might be best to plan on combining a Trout Unlimited commitment with a project at another organization. Be a Restoration Corpsperson! Keep trying – these folks can be a challenge to contact. Transportation is required. |
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Madison City Parks |
Laura Whitmore 266-5949 Volunteer Coordinator lwhitmore@ci.madison.wi.us
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Endless possibilities! Organizations or individuals approach City Parks with a proposal, such as Earth Day activities, plans to establish and maintain a garden, do vegetation studies, record changes in prairies, participate in seed collection, organize a clean-up of a park or lakeshore. Any initiatives are welcome for consideration. These projects are for people who have some experience and knowledge, or can do self-directed studies. Volunteers need their own transportation. The city has Conservation Areas, providing opportunities for experience in woodland management and prairie restoration in the Madison area. Projects may be done with City Conservationist Russ Hefty, but call the Volunteer Coordinator. |
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Natural Heritage Land Trust |
Martha Frey Development Director 258-9797 martha@nhlt.org or (Jim Welch, Director) |
Ad hoc field work, at trust sites or helping create buffer zones along Token Creek (a watershed project). Also possibilities for helping to draw up land trust documents and preparing baseline documentation. Site Conservation Planning for the Upper Sugar River (Verona), and Black Earth Creek. |
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Wisconsin Wetlands Association |
Katie Beilfuss Membership & Operations Coordinator 608-250-9971
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Wisconsin Wetlands Association is dedicated to the protection, restoration and enjoyment of wetlands and associated ecosystems through science-based programs, education and advocacy. We have a number of programs for which volunteer assistance would be terrific, including our assisting with advocacy work, helping promote WWA programs, staffing our display at outreach events, assisting with program planning and coordination, and providing general assistance to our busy office. Several possible job descriptions are posted at www.wiscwetlands.org/volunteer.htm. If you have a wetland project in mind that meets our mission, let us know: we might be able to design a special project that fits your interests and skills. |
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Troy Gardens |
Briana Meier
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Would you or your students
like to help restore natural areas in the city of Madison? Troy Gardens is a great
opportunity for your Service-Learning/Community based research
courses. |
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The Prairie Enthusiasts |
Rich Henderson 221-6347 richard.henderson@dnr.state.wi.us |
Assist the restoration of remnant prairies and oak savannas through regular organized work parties for brush removal, controlled burning, and occasional plant and animal surveys. These ecosystems are nearly extirpated from the state and support many rare plants and animals. There are also opportunities to assist with the establishment and management of a data base of known remnants of prairies and savannas (on campus). |
Cherokee Conservation Park |
Pat Woicek 249-4255 Head Naturalist patw6@msn.com |
Be a naturalist, working with children, K-middle school. Part-time, seasonal positions: mid-April through May; mid September through October. You need a natural science background, interest in children, time blocks of about 2.5 hours during the day, and transportation. Naturalists are trained and then paid $30 per tour. We encourage potential volunteers to participate in the UW Arboretum enrichment program. |
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UW Botany Herbarium |
Ted Cochrane 262-2792 |
Help curate one of the best university herbaria (plant specimens and library) in the country, including mounting and filing of specimens from Wisconsin and the world, and assisting with loans and exchanges. The Atlas of the Vascular Flora of Wisconsin needs volunteers for mapping distributions of the state’s species.
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River Alliance of Wisconsin |
Julie Engelke, Outreach Coordinator 257-2424 wisrivers@wisconsinrivers.org |
Help protect Wisconsin’s rivers! The River Alliance works to create a statewide network of river activists and to help strengthen local river protection efforts, as well as river restoration and protection at the state level. We depend heavily on volunteers in lots of areas, including: general office work(file organization), newsletter production, fund raising, grassroots organizing, bookkeeping..., you name it - we need it! We have lots of work to do and you can help! |
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Adult Role Models in Science
ARMS |
Dolly Ledin 222-4865 daledin@facstaff.wisc.edu |
Please share this announcement with your students and anyone you think might be interested in volunteering in the schools. The program includes opportunities to participate in science activities along with elementary school age kids. "Making Science Real: Teaching Inquiry-Based Science in Elementary Schools"
*Are you interested in science? *Would you like to share your interest and enthusiasm about science with young children?
We need volunteers to help Madison teachers involve students in real science investigations, a difficult task for a teacher working alone with 15-20 students! Teachers could really use an extra pair of hands in the classroom to help guide students through hands-on activities. This does not require any particular training in science! The activities are well laid out and directions are simple. All you need is a willingness to learn along with the students! [Training in November will provide you with an overview of how science is taught in Madison elementary schools, introduce you to new hands-on teaching materials, and help you to understand how you could help young children learn science.] |
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GENERAL |
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General Service Clearing House for Dane County |
http://www.volunteeryourtime.org/
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This site offers access to several organizations. You might find an ecological opportunity by using this rather generic web site, but it is also a good idea to look at the following list. |
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Morgridge Center for Public Service |
Offices are on the first floor of the Old Red Gym on the Madison campus. |
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Links fo Undergraduate research |
Biology Major |
Links for finding undergraduate research is located on the web at http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/biology/Sturesources/student.htm under the headings Undergraduate Research Guide, Undergraduate Research Opportunities in Biology at UW-Madison, and Undergraduate Research Scholars. |
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Nature Net |
Links to lots of south-central Wisconsin environmental organizations. |
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SUMMER & FAR AWAY |
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Student Conservation Association |
Heather L Nowlan, Recruitment Communications Manager |
The Student Conservation Association 689 River Road, Charlestown, NH 03603 603-543-1700 ext 204 www.thesca.org SCAVisit@thesca.org |
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Wisconsin State Parks System
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Kate Zurlo-Cuva Volunteer Coordinator 266-7617 WI DNR, Bureau of Parks and Rec. Kate.Zurlo-Cuva@dnr.state.wi.us
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Do you enjoy helping people? Have talents and interests you'd like to share? Concerned about our state's natural and cultural resources? If so, then Wisconsin's state parks, forests, trails and recreation areas need your skills and talents in its volunteer program. As a volunteer, you may choose to work in any area that interests you. Examples of volunteer opportunities are: Adopt-a-Trail -Maintain trails, -Report trail conditions Campground Host -Assist campers, -Maintain campgrounds Conservationist -Maintain buildings and grounds, -Host ski, bike, and horse trails, -Restore wildlife habitat Friends Group Member –Assist with special events, -Assist with fund raisers, Naturalist -Assist with interpretive programs, -Assist with env. Education programs, -Study park history Nature Center Host -Greet visitors, -Exhibit interpretation, -Maintain nature center Visitor Services Volunteer –Assist in park office, -Provide visitor information, -Assist with retail sales Special clean up or construction projects can also be developed for groups or individuals. To volunteer your services and share your knowledge and expertise, please fill out the volunteer application and mail it to the state park, forest, trail or recreation area of your choice. Volunteers are selected based on interests and familiarity with the park system, work experience/training, customer service experience, and knowledge of the surrounding area. |
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Organization of Biological Field Stations |
Think about attending a summer field station for coursework and college credit. This is a great way to: find out if you want to be a field biologist, to get experience working in a special habitat (north woods, mountains, desert, lakes, marine), and to meet scientists who will write you great letters of recommendation for jobs or graduate school. Many of these places have work opportunities, so you can earn while you learn. Take ornithology at the Rocky Mtn. Biological Lab in Colorado, or invertebrate zoology at Shannon Point Marine Center in Washington! |
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National Park Service – Volunteers in Parks |
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Lots of volunteer opportunities. The Park Service often makes housing available, and provides a small daily stipend. Participation in this program would be an excellent way to find out if you want to work for the NPS! |
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Possible
Graduate & Undergraduate Student Research & Education Projects on
Biological Diversity Issues in WI
Fall 2004
Biologists from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and other agencies have many unanswered research questions that would help them and many others better manage natural resources. Below is a list of some of those questions. A contact person’s initials are listed after each project. That person’s name and contact information are listed in a key at the end of this document. If you are interested in a project on this list, please get in touch with the contact person. This person may be a good resource for the project and he/she would like to know if anyone is working on the issue. Potential funding sources may exist for some of the research questions. For further information about this list, contact Kelly Kearns at WI DNR’s Endangered Resources Program (kelly.kearns@dnr.state.wi.us, 608-267-5066).
·Development of reliable, but more economical wolf census techniques to accurately document numbers and distribution. Contact AW
·Re-measurement of public attitudes towards wolves and recovery in the state to define reasonable wolf population goals and acceptable wolf habitat. Contact AW
·Identification of wolf travel corridors and development of appropriate management practices for travel corridors to allow continued interchange of wolves among Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Contact AW
·Development of a model that can predict potential den and rendezvous sites within suitable wolf habitat so these areas can be protected from human disturbance. Contact AW
·Continued health monitoring to identify factors causing low pup survival and to document any future outbreaks of diseases or parasites that may have significant negative impacts on the wolf population. Contact AW
·Development of policy/procedures for handling depredating wolves and explore possibilities to minimize depredation problems. Contact AW
·Identification of factors apparently limiting wolf colonization in northeastern Wisconsin, conducting special long-term research on wolf ecology, population growth, and depredation concerns in central Wisconsin. Contact AW
·Documentation of impacts of future wolf populations on deer, beaver, coyote & other wildlife within wolf range. Contact AW
·Conduct research on non-lethal means of reducing wolf depredation and thorough examination of the ecology of depredating wolves. Contact AW
·Developing models that estimate the state wolf population using existing survey and population data, as well as identifying needs for additional surveys. Contact AW
·Use modeling to further examine viability of the state wolf population. Contact AW
Deer
·Establish a long term and systematic project to monitor the impacts (and eventual recovery) of whitetail deer in Wisconsin natural areas on trees, shrubs and herbs. Contact DW
·Determine dispersal habitat and potential travel corridors across northern Wisconsin for American Marten. Contact AW
·Obtain more details on abundance and distribution of American Marten across northern Wisconsin. Contact AW
·Determine impact of various types of timber harvests on American Marten movements and population viability. Contact AW
·Determine general abundance and distribution of American marten in the Great Divide Ranger District through a variety of survey methods including soot plates, set cameras, and hair traps. Contact AW.
·Determine current distribution and abundance of Franklin ground squirrel across Wisconsin, and determine if they need to be state listed as endangered or threatened. Contact AW.
·Compare small mammal communities in grazed and ungrazed prairie remnants, CRP grasslands, pastures, and other idle grasslands. Surveys for small mammal presence/absence in grassland habitats in southwest Wisconsin will yield important information about the distribution and habitat preference of several rare species, including the Prairie Vole, Franklin’s Ground Squirrel, Western Harvest Mouse, Pygmy Shrew (all listed as species of special concern), and Least Shrew, as well as the Prairie Deer Mouse. Small mammal communities will also be related to habitat factors (e.g., vegetation structure, habitat type, field size, grazing intensity) as well as to landscape structure and composition. Contact DS Funding possibilities: Pittman-Robertson??
·Determine the distribution, abundance, habitat use, movements, and genetics of badger populations in fragmented prairie and grassland habitats. Badgers will be trapped at known den locations in CRP fields, prairie remnants, pastures, and other grassland habitats (e.g., roadsides, hay fields) in southwest Wisconsin. Their movements, including spring and fall dispersal, and habitat use will be monitored with radio telemetry. We will document badger distribution across the landscape and the frequency with which badger depredate grassland bird nests. If funding allows, the genetic structure of badger populations in landscapes with fragmented habitat, currently unknown, will be investigated through DNA analysis for comparison with samples elsewhere in the state. Contact DS Funding possibilities: Pittman-Robertson??
·Determine distribution, abundance, habitat use, movements, and food habits of badger populations of savanna habitat and adjacent forest areas of northwest Wisconsin. Methods could be similar as used in prairie habitat of southern Wisconsin. No funding is currently available for this project, but if interested researchers are found, efforts would be made to seek special funding for this project. Currently little is known about the status and ecological role of badgers in northern Wisconsin. Contact AW.
·Determine habitat use by forest bats on public forest land. Identify important nursery, roosting and foraging habitat, and examine the impact of timber harvest on bat habitat use. Contact AW.
·Determine the presence and distribution of
bats in Northern Wisconsin, including in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
Contact DE
·Study impact of cowbirds on nesting success of Bell’s Vireo and other related species. Contact SM
·Statewide Great Egret population census (primarily along Wisconsin River and southeastern third of the state) Contact SM
·Red-necked grebe, along with other marsh nesting birds, population census (primarily around Winnebago, Green Lake, and St. Croix Counties.) Contact SM
·Loggerhead shrike statewide population census in southern 2/3 of Wisconsin. Contact SM
·Determine the fecundity, habitat use and movements, site fidelity, and survival rates of Bobolinks, Upland Sandpipers, and other grassland bird species of management concern. To make wise use of scarce management resources, we need to identify the factors that are limiting grassland bird species of management concern, many of whose populations are declining. To understand the limiting factors for these birds, we need to investigate potential causes behind population declines. This involves understanding whether or not a species is facing problems with inadequate reproduction, habitat availability, or excessive overwinter mortality (Temple 1988). Contact DS Funding possibilities: Pittman-Robertson??
·Evaluate the impacts of habitat management (hedgerow removal, brush clearing, conversion of cool season to warm season grasses, burning regimes, and grazing warm season grasses) on grassland bird communities. There is a paucity of experimental research on the impacts of habitat management on grassland birds in Wisconsin. This study will take advantage of the management to be undertaken in the Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area by The Nature Conservancy, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Contact DS Funding possibilities: Pittman-Robertson??
·Compare the bird communities of upland shrub and savanna habitats along a gradient of grazing intensity. Develop management recommendations for these habitats. Several bird species of management concern occur in upland shrub habitat in southwest Wisconsin, including declining species (Brown Thrasher, Field and Clay-colored Sparrow) and species listed as state-endangered (Loggerhead Shrike), state-threatened (Bell’s vireo) and special concern (Yellow-breasted Chat and Field Sparrow). Management issues surrounding upland shrub habitats include how to maintain it on the landscape, how much should be maintained, where should it be in the landscape, and what range of grazing intensities is tolerated by the birds? This research would help answer these questions. Contact DS Funding possibilities: Pittman-Robertson??
·Site use characteristics, reproduction success and population trends of Red-shouldered hawks in Taylor County on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. (have 5 years of road survey data as of 2004). Vegetation composition and impacts on sharp-tailed grouse population at the Riley Lake Wildlife Management area on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Contact SA
·Develop census to determine distribution, abundance and habitat use of the Spruce Grouse in Wisconsin and in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Contact DE
·Study of genetics and connectivity of the Moquah and/or Riley Lake groups to other state’s populations of the Sharptail Grouse, as well as a PVA (I don’t know what that stands for, Kelly –Lauren) for Sharptail Grouse populations in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Contact DE
·Create a large-area habitat model using vegetation for the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and surrounding habitat for the Northern Goshawk. Contact DE
·Determine the distribution and abundance of Merlins, Cooper’s Hawks and/or Broadwing Hawks in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Contact DE
·Estimation of population and habitat of the Fisher in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, as well as a food habits study of the Fisher during fall and winter. Contact DE
·Study the distribution, productivity, and the effects of management on Red-Headed Wood Pecker populations on Fort McCoy. Contact KM
·Study productivity of grassland birds on the edge versus the core of grasslands on Fort McCoy and compare with other research conducted in southwest WI. Also look at grassland patch size and habitat dynamics that affect productivity of upland grassland birds. Contact KM
·Study the food availability/ insect population that grassland birds forage on Fort McCoy’s savanna and grassland habitats. Contact KM
·Determine the habitat use and movements of grassland snakes in CRP grasslands, prairie remnants, and pastures during the breeding bird season. Little is known about snake habitat use and movements in southwest Wisconsin grassland habitats. This study will contribute to our understanding of snake ecology in Wisconsin grassland habitats and will help determine the role of snakes as predators of grassland bird nests. Contact DS Funding possibilities: Pittman-Robertson?
·Determine the distribution, abundance, habitat use (upland habitat and potential / existing nesting habitat ), and movements of wood turtles on the southern half of the Lakewood/Laona Ranger District on the
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Currently only one nesting site is known and turtle distribution across the District is from random observations. A mark recapture program has been occurring at the nesting site but more detailed information is needed about turtles on the District. Contact SAn
·Quantify the effects of reed canary grass on the movement of reptiles and amphibians. BH
·Determine the presence and distribution of snakes in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Contact DE
·The DNR has many research questions involving the Karner Blue Butterfly in such aspects as: KBB on forested lands, activities in right-of-ways, disturbance at the landscape scale, disturbance at the stand scale, and monitoring methods. Contact DL
·The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest needs population, location and habitat use information on the following dragonfly and butterfly species: Incisalia henrici, (Henry's Elfin butterfly), Gomphus viridifrons, (Green-faces clubtail), Ophiogomphus anomalus, (Extra-striped snaketail), Ophiogomphus howei, (Pygmy snaketail), Oeneis chryxus, (Brown arctic), Phyciodes batesii, (Tawny crescent spot), Pieris virginiensis, (West Virginia White), Stylurus scudderi, (Zebra Clubtail). Contact SA Potential for partial funding from the Forest Service.
·Assess the level of earthworm invasion and their impact in different forest types across Wisconsin. Contact KK
·Determine earthworm presence in high quality forests with intact ground flora and heavy leaf litter. Contact KK
·Model long term impacts of earthworms on forest tree regeneration. Contact KK
·Conduct an inventory of Wisconsin’s prairie invertebrates to determine which species are prairie specialists and which are prairie restricted. Contact RH
·Initiate long-term monitoring of the effects of management practices, including burning on grassland invertebrates. Contact RH
·Compare invertebrate communities on unplowed remnants of native prairie sod along a gradient of grazing history and intensity. Much of the remnant prairie sod in the southwest Wisconsin is either currently or has been recently grazed, but little is known about the re