Duke Forest Herpetofauna Citizen Science Program – Session 2 Orientation and Training – JUNE 8, 2019 Orientation & Training Agenda • Logistics • Bathrooms • Recording • Newsletter • Program Overview • Background & Purpose • Hazards & Safety • Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities • Program Details • Website • Transect Schedule & Sign-up • Monitoring Transects & Collecting Field Data • Recording Field Data via Web-based Survey • Transect Locations & Forest Access • Species ID – aka The Fun Stuff • Transect Monitoring Demo - aka The Most Fun Stuff Program Overview Background & Purpose 1. Transect Establishment 2. Duke NSOE Group Master’s Project 3. Duke Undergraduate Sustainability Class Project 4. Duke Forest Strategic Plan 5. Duke Forest Assistantship Student Citizen science is part of a larger effort underway at the Duke Forest to better protect the wildlife species that call it home. We need a dedicated team of citizen scientists to help us collect data that will increase our understanding of the amphibians and reptiles that live in the Duke Forest. These animals are at particular risk in our area because of habitat loss and fragmentation, but if we know more about them, we may be able to better protect them. Program Overview Background & Purpose Duke Forest Wildlife Management APPROACH EXPANDS: Objective 1 – Do No Harm: • Promote landscape and stand level habitat diversity • Minimize and mitigate negative impacts caused by timber management, recreational use, and other activities Objective 2 - Wildlife Monitoring and Baseline Establishment (New!) : • Develop a research program that uses citizen science, class projects, theses, etc. to better understand current wildlife diversity and distribution Objective 3 - Using Management Interventions to Promote Wildlife (New!) : • Use research program outputs to direct targeted management interventions that specifically promote particular species, taxa, The overarching goal of wildlife management on the Duke Forest and/or guilds is to promote a diverse population of animals native to the Piedmont of North Carolina. Program Overview Hazards & Safety 1. Hazards inherent to the woods: • poisonous snakes, disease-carrying insects like ticks, nuisance insects like chiggers, poisonous plants like Poison Ivy, miscellaneous spiders, uneven terrain (e.g. holes you can’t see), acts of nature (e.g. falling limbs) – this is not an exhaustive list 2. Hazards inherent to the program protocol: • interacting with human-made articles of habitat intentionally placed to encourage animals (that may include a venomous Copperhead) to hang out Program Overview Hazards & Safety 1. Safety - common sense rules: this is not an exhaustive list • Follow all Duke Forest Rules, Regulations, and Safety Considerations • Use bug spray and always check for ticks • Avoid outings during severe weather events • Always go out with a partner • Know where you are and be able to describe it • Call 911 in the event of an emergency 2. Safety - specific to the program protocol: • All of the above apply • Wear gloves and closed-toed shoes (long pants recommended) • Use “flipper” sticks to help turn boards and lower them down • Do not touch animals for their safety and yours • Also to remain in compliance with the approved protocol on file for this program with Duke’s Office of Animal Welfare Assurance Program Overview Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities 1. Basic roles - as citizen science volunteers for this program: • Monitor your team’s assigned transect each week • Coordinate with your team to determine who is monitoring • Confirm your monitoring visit on-line each week • Display your TEACHING & RESEARCH parking permit in your windshield • Complete your field data sheet carefully and completely • Follow guidance on accessing the gates and SLOW, conscientious driving in the Forest • Enter the information into electronic format using the Qualtrics survey • Communicate with the Duke Forest Herp CitSci Team ([email protected]) if you have any issues Program Overview Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities 2. Basic responsibilities - as citizen science volunteers for Duke Forest: • Be aware of potential hazards and follow all Duke Forest rules, regulations, and safety guidelines listed at gates, on the website, and as part of this program’s documentation • Be diligent in your role as citizen scientist – the data you collect will inform teaching, research, and most importantly, the protection and management of wildlife so data quality is very important • Be mindful that you have been selected to be part of a dedicated Duke Forest volunteer corps and serve as ambassadors/representatives of the Duke Forest office Program Details Program Webpage Your 1-stop shop for all program materials dukeforest.duke.edu/herps • password protected – do not share • password: herps19 •Pro tip: bookmark this page or save to phone home screen for easy access Program Details Program Communication Program staff: [email protected] Questions, comments, concerns about the program. This email goes to everyone on the program staff. Team coordination: you decide (email, text, Slack, WeChat, etc.) Working within your team first for covering your scheduled visit. Email ALL participants: [email protected] Coordinating transect coverage when your team cannot cover scheduled visit. Remember: take back-and-forth conversations off-line. Facebook group: http://bit.ly/herpsFB (request to join) For sharing photos, interesting herp articles and general observations Program Details Teams • Participants chosen into teams of 4-6 based on availability, partner election, proximity, and experience in the program • Team names are Frogs, Turtles, Toads, Salamanders, & Snakes • Teams: • Help us ensure transect coverage and give us a clear contact when visits not confirmed • Help you to plan your visits in advance (and schedule your time away) • Pair program veterans with new citizen scientists • Reduce emails in everyone’s inboxes • Build relationships and community with people passionate about the nature Program Details Transect Schedule & Confirmation Program Details Transect Schedule & Confirmation 1. Review your team’s transect assignments in the “Visit Confirmation” sheet. 2. Coordinate with your team to determine who will visit, at least a week before. Or find a sub! o Communication is key to covering the transects! Use the “notes” field for coordination. 3. Enter names of those visiting into the sheet. (Two must visit, but more than two can visit!) 4. Select the Day of the Week you intend to monitor (Wed-Sun). o Each transect monitored ONLY 1x/week. Why? o Pay attention to the day/date a particular transect was monitored last and don’t repeat unless 4 days have passed 5. Make your visit o Remember: Ideal monitoring time is when the temperature is approaching 70°F and sunny OR temperature above 78°F and cloudy; however, the most important thing for you to do is record the temperature and weather conditions 6. Enter your Data 7. Tell others if you visited or not by checking “Yes” or “No” in the “Visit Confirmation Sheet” Program Details Monitoring Transects and Collecting Field Data • Familiarize yourself with the field data sheet • Print the field data sheet before you head out to monitor • Bring a clipboard and at least two pens/pencils (these inevitably get lost!) • Always begin at the “start” and then proceed to the next piece of cover • Record absence as well as presence • Use your phone or camera to capture photos Let’s talk about… What to do when you’re unsure of a species ??? Program Details Recording Field Data via Web-based Survey • Have your species photos in an easily accessible location • Take a picture of your completed field data sheet • Navigate to the program website and click on the RECORD DATA button • Using your field data sheet, enter all the information as prompted by the survey Program Details Transect Locations & Forest Access *additional materials and individual transect maps will be posted on the program website* Program Details Transect Locations & Forest Access Transect ID Section County Gate Public Road Forest Road Parking Location Notes Cover Type Description GATE 4 Cotton Mill DU_1_G4_C52 East Durham 4 Hwy 751 F.T. inside gate access gate key via lock box on gate Old Loblolly (greater than 70 years) GATE C DU_4_GC_C61 East Durham C Hwy 751 na outside gate park along road shoulder near gate Old Loblolly (greater than 80 years) GATE 8 DU_5_G8_C62 East Durham 8 Hwy 751 na outside gate park along road shoulder near gate Uneven-aged White, Black, Red Oak Gate 48_1 George's access gate key via lock box on gate, 1st transect DU_12_G48_C76 West Orange 48 Cornwallis Rd Road inside gate you come to on left, turnaround at top of hill Uneven-aged White, Black, Red Oak access gate key via lock box on gate, second GATE 48_2 George's transect you come to on left, turnaround at top DU_11_G48_C82 West Orange 48 Cornwallis Rd Road inside gate of hill Young Loblolly (less than 10 years) GATE 22 Friends School DRIVE SLOW, shared private lane, look for DU_13_G22_C84 West Orange 22 Rd Narrow Lane private, shared lane SIGNED parking spot Mid-Loblolly (greater than 40 years) For the Program Purposes, we will use the Gate # to refer to these transects. Transect ID: DU _ 1 _ G4 _ C52 Transect ID: First two letters of Forest Division _ Old number assignment _ Forest gate _ Forest compartment Questions Please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions, comments, or concerns: [email protected] 2019 Session 1 Results (so far) Snake Identification