Things to See & Do
Citizen Science
Join Citizen Science with the Friends! Learn while contributing to real research, gaining a direct voice and commitment to protecting the Conservancy.
Participate in Citizen Science with the Friends
Citizen Science is a form of simultaneous learning and knowledge making. By participating in Citizen Science projects, citizens gain a greater say in and commitment to scientific and research matters.
Citizen-Based Monitoring Network of Wisconsin
Wisconsin monitoring network functions as a comprehensive stakeholder collaboration designed to improve the effectiveness of monitoring efforts by providing communications, resources and recognition in order to build and maintain the dynamic picture of our natural resources.
Clean Boats, Clean Waters
Through the Clean Boats, Clean Waters program, inspectors are trained to organize and conduct a boater education program in their community. Adult and youth teams educate boaters on how and where invasive species are most likely to hitch a ride into water bodies. Inspectors perform boat and trailer checks for invasive species, distribute informational brochures, and collect and report any new water body infestations.
Frog and Toad Survey
Started in 2021, the Friends of Pheasant Branch Frog & Toad Survey monitors amphibian populations within the conservancy from approximately April 1st to August 1st. The basic survey process involves monitoring a designated site 1-2 times weekly after sunset, listening for and documenting the calls and conditions observed.
Recording frog & toad behavior over time helps us better understand how our restoration efforts and other changes to the land affect these populations. This is particularly important as conservancy restoration expands north, bringing water quality improvements with reductions in agricultural impact.
If you would like to learn more about the program and results, please see our 2022 survey report. Over time, we will continue to fine tune the program to adapt to the conditions and observations from previous years.
To learn about potential participation opportunities if you or have questions about the program, please send inquiries to [email protected].
Journey North
Become part of one of the oldest and largest citizen science programs in North America. It is now housed at the UW-Madison Arboretum. It is easy to do! There are 20 different projects you can choose from. You can watch tulips emerge, announce your first sightings of monarch butterflies, earthworms, robins or leaves as examples. If you have a patch of pollinator habitat in your yard, report it to Journey North.
LoonWatch
LoonWatch is a program of the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, protects common loons and their aquatic habitats through education, monitoring, and research. Though our primary focus is Wisconsin, our education and research activities extend to Upper Great Lakes region, such as Michigan and Minnesota. We also lend support to North American conservation efforts by working with loon conservation organizations across the United States and Canada.
Water Monitoring
Monitoring water quality takes constant vigilance and a long-term commitment – more than municipal agencies, regulators, or land managers can often accomplish across all their areas of responsibilities. Citizen monitors are necessary vital to the regular collection of data that can inform resource managers of changes resulting from restoration work, land use changes, or environmental fluctuations. The FOPBC Watershed Committee’s monitoring efforts are helping us:
- document if water quality improvements can be measured from the conversion of the Acker farm from cropland to prairie vegetation, and
- track changes in phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, water clarity, and water temperature at three locations in Pheasant Branch Creek, in partnership with the Rock River Coalition’s Citizen Monitoring Program.
Reach out to the Watershed Committee if you want to learn more about water monitoring or to join the team!
Monarch Tagging
The Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy participates in the Monarch Watch Tagging Program, a large-scale community science project to help understand the dynamics of the monarch’s spectacular fall migration through mark and recapture. We host family-friendly education and tagging events during the late summer migration. Watch our events page in August for monarch tagging dates, and learn more about the project at: monarchwatch.org/tagging
Other Things to See & Do
Explore the many ways to experience nature, wildlife, trails, and seasonal beauty throughout Pheasant Branch Conservancy.
