Florida Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology Tracking Workshop and Monitoring Program
The Florida Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology's Tracking Workshop and Monitoring Program is an intensive workshop coupled with a long-term citizen science monitoring program. Both the tracking workshop and monitoring program are annual projects for Florida SCB.
Objectives
- To teach faunal track identification skills, wildlife sign recognition, and proper track documentation techniques.
- Develop a long term monitoring program for wildlife crossings.
This will be a 2 day tracking workshop with both a classroom and field section.
Participants in the workshop will be required to monitor a designated transects along once a month for a year following their training. Monitoring teams of three people will be assigned based on personal preference.
The Need:
This monitoring program is essential because SR 40 bisects the Ocala National Forest, the largest public landholding in Florida. This road has been proposed to be widened from two lanes to four lanes, which will undoubtedly lead to an increase in wildlife mortality. Data collected from this monitoring program will be used to examine the current effects of SR 40 on Florida's wildlife. Species monitored include the Florida black bear, sand skink, gopher tortoise, bobcat, and scrub jay.
What you will gain:
- Knowledge and appreciation for the art of tracking
- Understanding on how to collect accurate scientific data
- Satisfaction of knowing you are contributing to wildlife conservation
- Great excuse to visit one of the most beautiful places monthly
Tentative Itinerary
This year's workshop is scheduled for 9-10 May 2000.
Saturday 0830 Introductions 0900 Tracking and the Art of Seeing (an introduction) 1000 Break 1015 Anatomy of Tracking (parts of paw & substrate) 1100 Bears, Panthers, Bobcats (tracks, signs, scat) 1200 Lunch 1245 Canids (coyotes, fox, and dogs) 1345 Break 1400 Mesocarnivores (skunks, raccoons, opossums, etc.) 1500 Ungulates (deer, pigs, etc.) 1545 Break 1600 Reptiles & Amphibian Sign 1700 Birds and Oddities 1745 Break 1800 Making Tracks Outside 1900 Dinner *Camp at OSBS
Sunday Start track transects at sunrise, field component of workshop, track verification techniques, final evaluations. Everyone leaves by 1600.
Download the application here.
Download a printer-friendly version of this program description here.
If selected, there will be a $48 fee to cover program costs. Please do NOT send this with the application.
Applications must be received by 15 December 2007. They may be e-mailed to [email protected], or sent to:
Aletris Neils
Florida Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology
P.O. Box 110430
Gainesville, FL 32611-0430