Tracking Endangered Animals
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Presentation Transcript
Tracking Endangered Animals Volunteer Opportunities with The Natural Heritage Inventory Program Kim Grveles Endangered Resources
WI Natural Heritage Inventory Program • rare or declining species, high quality or rare natural communities and unique natural features • Established in 1985 • Part of an international network
Courtesy R. Brady Taxa Groups Tracked by NHI • Birds • Species Concentration Sites • Plants • Mammals • Fishes • Herptiles • Invertebrates • Natural Communities
NHI Working List of Rare Birds • 83 species currently • Last updated in January 2004 • Species that have State/Federal status
Photo Courtesy Kathryn Kirk Working List of Rare Dragonflies and Damselflies • 65 species currently • Last updated in January 2004 • No changes since December 2003 • Species that have State/Federal status Hines Emerald (Somatochlora hineana)
Why track this information? • 1. What rare species and ecosystems • exist in the State? • 2. Where precisely are they found? • 3. What is their status and which are • priorities for conservation?
Peatlands Rare Bird Study • Northern Sedge Meadows • Nocturnal • Mid-May – June 30 • Selected Sites • Northern Counties • Central Plains Photo Courtesy Eric Epstein
Peatlands Target Bird Species • Yellow Rail • American Bittern • Le Conte’s Sparrow • Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow
Odonata Surveys 2007 • Collect Exuviate • Select Streams • Target Species • Ophiogomphus susbehcha • O. anomalus • O. howei • O. smithi
Photo Courtesy E. Judziewicx Peatlands and Odonata • Collect Exuviate • Targeted Study Sites • All Working List Species
More Information: • Contact: Bill Smith NHI Zoologist 608-266-0924 smithw@wisconsin.gov • On-Line: http://inventory.WIatri.net/odonata
Forest Bird Inventory • Breeding Surveys • State Lands • Property Near You • Sight and Auditory ID
Photo Courtesy Sumner Matteson Why is CBM Important for NHI? Citizen-based reporting can: • Help fill the gaps of our database • Increase knowledge of species distribution • Make a powerful contribution to the protection of biodiversity
Contributing to the NHI Database: Opportunities for CBM • Volunteer opportunities • Everyday possibilities: • Field Trips • Backyard Observations
How to Get Started: • Packets Available • Rare Animal Field Reports • Look for: • Working List Species • Breeding Evidence • Appropriate Habitat & Season • Species Concentration Sites