Email
Print
FeedMarsh madness at Reinstein Woods
Wetlands are sometimes referred to as “nature’s kidneys”—they improve water quality and providing habitat for animal and plant species. Marshes, above all, are among the most productive of all wetland types. They contain emergent vegetation, open standing water, and are home to numerous bird and amphibian species that rely on these watery habitats for breeding and foraging.
Now, you can have an impact on regional wildlife, habitat restoration, and recovery efforts, and learn more about the local effect of marshes. On Saturday, February 20, Bird Studies Canada’s Marsh Monitoring Program and the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper will host a Marsh Monitoring Program Citizen Science Training Session.
The workshop intends to provide residents with the opportunity to learn about and participate in volunteer-based wetland monitoring and other conservation initiatives in the area. Highlights will include an in-depth introduction to the Marsh Monitoring Program and its survey protocols. There will also be a presentation about Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper’s local activities.
The Marsh Monitoring Program (MPP) was developed in Ontario in 1994 by Bird Studies Canada, in partnership with Environment Canada. The MPP functions to provide long-term monitoring of marsh-dependent bird and anuran (frog and toad) species in marsh habitats throughout the Great Lakes basin.
Funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Marsh Monitoring Program Citizen Science Training Session will be held at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve Environmental Education Center in Depew. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; attendees are asked to bring a lunch, but the day will include MMP registration, route assignment, and outdoor demonstrations in the afternoon. The workshop is free, but pre-registration is required.
For more information or to register, contact Kathy Jones at 1-888-448-2473, ext. 124, or e-mail aqsurvey@birdscanada.org. All registrants will be provided with directions and a program agenda. More information is available by visiting www.bsc-eoc.org or www.birdscanada.org.
