The Volunteer Wildlife Monitoring Program (VWMP) is for enthusiastic and sharp-eyed, sharp-eared volunteers who have a passion for wildlife and its conservation. With more than 800 species in our state, the wildlife staff can't possibly keep track of all these critters in every corner of the state. We need volunteers that are willing and interested in collecting data on two important and sensitive groups of wildlife.
Volunteer Wildlife Monitor Program Brochure
Bird Nest Monitoring
The Bird Nest Monitoring Program focuses on two special groups of birds: Raptors (hawks, eagles, falcons, owls) and Colonial Waterbirds (herons, egrets, night-herons, cormorants). These two groups of top predators are particularly sensitive to environmental changes, making them not only fascinating animals to observe but also important animals to monitor.
At a Bird Nest Monitoring workshop, volunteers learn how to identify Iowa's raptors and colonial waterbirds, find and map a nesting site, and report observations of nesting activity to the Wildlife Diversity Program.
Frog and Toad Call Survey
Amphibians are currently in global decline and face many environmental stressors. Frogs and toads are our most melodious inhabitants of Iowa's wetlands. Since 1991 the DNR Wildlife Diversity Program has coordinated a statewide yearly survey of frogs and toads. Over the years hundreds of volunteers have helped with this survey and, by attending a VWMP frog and toad training workshop, you can help with this important work. Routes are set up across Iowa and trained volunteers are needed to adopt and survey these routes.
Participants in the Frog and Toad Call Survey workshop will learn to identify Iowa's frogs and toads by sight and sound, and then how to collect and report data to the Wildlife Diversity program and to the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP). Volunteer-collected data will not only be used by Iowa, but at regional and national levels too!
To get started as a volunteer monitor,
attend a training workshop for Volunteer Wildlife Monitoring!
2012 Volunteer Wildlife Monitoring Workshops are scheduled!
Workshops require a $10 registration fee which pays for training materials, a meal, subscription to our bi-annual newsletter, a frog and toad call CD or bird identification guide, and certification costs. To register, please download and complete the registration form for the desired workshop and return it with the $10 fee to: VWMP; Boone Wildlife Research Station; 1436 255th St.; Boone, IA 50036. Registration for each workshop will be first come, first served.
Volunteer Wildlife Monitoring Workshop Registration Form
Bird Nest Monitoring Workshops
Anyone interested in being a Bald Eagle Nest Monitor must attend a training.
MARCH 17, 2012 – WEBSTER COUNTY WORKSHOP IS FULL
LOCATION: Webster County Conservation, JFK Memorial Park Nature Center, 1415 Nelson Ave., Fort Dodge, IA
TIME: 10:00 am to 4:30 pm
Frog and Toad Call Survey Workshops
Anyone interested in participating in the Frog and Toad Call Survey must attend a training.
APRIL10, 2012 – LUCAS COUNTY
LOCATION: Lucas County Conservation, Pin Oak Lodge, 45996 Iowa 14, Chariton, IA
TIME: 5:30pm -9:00pm
APRIL 12th, 2012 – OSCEOLA COUNTY
LOCATION: Nature Center at Willow Creek Park, 5945 Hwy 9, Ocheyedan, IA
TIME: 5:30pm – 9:00pm
APRIL 17th, 2012 – BLACK HAWK COUNTY
LOCATION: Hartman Nature Center; 657 Reserve Dr., Cedar Falls, IA
TIME: 5:30pm -9:00pm
Resources for Trained Volunteer Wildlife Monitors:
Volunteer Wildlife Monitoring Program Database
Frog and Toad Survey
Bird Nest Monitoring
IF YOU LIKE VWMP…
Here are some other programs that may interest you:
IOWATER and Project Aware - Volunteer-based water quality testing and clean up.
Volunteer Program - Iowa DNR Volunteer Program
Iowa's Breeding Bird Atlas - A five year project to map the distribution of breeding birds in Iowa.
We can always use your help and it's great outdoor fun!
Questions? Contact us by email at vwmp@dnr.iowa.gov or at 515-432-2823.
The Volunteer Wildlife Monitoring Program is based at the Boone Wildlife Research Station, 1436 255th Street Boone, IA 50036.