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LEARN HOW TO BE A VOLUNTEER WILDLIFE MONITOR
MEDIA CONTACT: Bridget Nixon, bridget.nixon@dnr.iowa.gov, or Stephanie Shepherd, stephanie.shepherd@dnr.iowa.gov or call 515-432-2823 extension 102
DES MOINES — What do bald eagles, great blue herons and bullfrogs have in common? They are three of many species which benefit every year from the efforts of Iowa’s volunteer wildlife monitors! These volunteers make a big impact by contributing a small amount of time to studying our native wildlife. Last year, our volunteers monitored bald eagle nests, waterbird rookeries, falcon eyries and amphibian habitats. We hope to expand this program with the addition of new volunteers in 2012.
Interested in becoming a certified volunteer wildlife monitor? The DNR is looking for volunteers comfortable with technology, have good note-taking skills, enjoy observing wildlife and want to enjoy the outdoors. First-time volunteers must sign up for one of our educational workshops. A $10 registration fee pays for training materials, a meal, subscription to our newsletter, a frog and toad call CD or bird identification guide and certification costs.
During each workshop participants will be oriented with the history and purpose of the program, trained in monitoring techniques, familiarized with the natural history of the animals to be monitored and provided the opportunity to practice newly acquired skills in a short field lab session. Registration forms are available on the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/volunteerwildlifemonitoring. The locations, dates and times for the 2012 Volunteer Wildlife Monitoring Program Workshops are:
Bald Eagle Nest Monitoring Workshops
Buchanan County – March 3
Fontana Nature Center, 1883 125th St.; Hazelton
10:00 am to 4:30 pm
Page County – March 11
2039 Highway 71 North, Clarinda, IA 51632
10:00 am to 4:30 pm
Webster County – March 17
JFK Memorial Park Nature Center, 1415 Nelson Ave., Fort Dodge
10:00 am to 4:30 pm
Frog and Toad Monitoring Workshops
Lucas County – April 10
Pin Oak Lodge, 45996 Iowa 14, Chariton
5:30 pm -9:00 pm
Osceola County – April 12
Nature Center at Willow Creek Park, 5945 Hwy 9, Ocheyedan
5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Black Hawk County – April 17
Hartman Nature Center, 657 Reserve Dr., Cedar Falls
5:30 pm -9:00 pm
2011-12 Bald Eagle Watch Events
(*Saturday) indicates events with a Friday school day
Des Moines Lunch with Eagles
Friday, Feb. 24
Scott St. Dam, 303 Scott Ave., 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Outdoor viewing in downtown Des Moines
For more information call 515-865-6564
Prairie du Chien Eagle Watch
Saturday, Feb. 25
Saylorville Bald Eagle Watch, Polk City
Sunday, February 26
Red Rock Bald Eagle Watch, Pella
Friday and Saturday, March 2-3
Outdoor viewing at Howell Station 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Indoor programs at Pella Central College 10 - 5
For more information call 641-828-7522
Linn Grove Eagle Watch
Saturday, March 3
Registration from 8:30 to 10 a.m.
Refreshments served in the morning
Can pre-register by sending to Wonders of Nature, 107 Weaver, Linn Grove
Speakers from 10 a.m. to Noon
Lunch served at 12:15 p.m., free will offering
Outdoor viewing at selected sites, start at Nature Center, Linn Grove Main St.
For more information call 712-296-4920
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