02/26
Grace Kellner
Last night I attended the Lake Conway Point Remove Watershed Alliance (now their official name) meeting. The meeting was not what I expected. I thought The organization was already established and I was just attending a meeting to go over what had been accomplished over the past month and what was on the agenda for the next month. This was instead, a group of citizens from the Conway area, guided by people from Metroplan and the University of Arkansas in the organizational process of forming an official group.
We got some background information on the 9-element plan which is what UA is instructed to create for this watershed. Everyone at the meeting then split into four groups and discussed concerns and goals for Lake Conway for the next 15 years. The major concerns voiced by every group included improving the recreational area, addressing sewage and pollution, improving water quality, reducing sedimentation, establishing sustainable fisheries, and getting more of the public involved in the improvement of Lake Conway.
As a new organization that was not named until the end of the meeting, we also discussed mission statements and bylaws, which are necessary for the group to grow. There was some confusion among the members about how to get people from Russellville and Dardanelle involved when they are not at these organizational meetings, but I think the issue is one of a lack of communication. The drive is only 45 minutes to an hour and people in that area would likely have no problem making the drive to Conway for meetings once a month. However, to get people from other areas involved it is easier to have a strong foundation. The foundation comes from the mission statement and the bylaws which give the group an identity.
We drafted words and phrases that we wanted to see in the goal portion of the mission statement these were: restore, enhance, natural resources, collaborative, integrity. To achieve this group members said they wanted to work towards developing education programs, policies, water monitoring, and action projects to address present and future issues.
At the very end of the meeting, a handful of local people volunteered to be part of a committee that would work to create the final mission statement and draft the bylaws. The bylaws will include the group structure. So, they could have a steering committee and a TAC like the White Oak Bayou does, but then they have to decide how many people will be on those committees and if they will be from different areas like business, agriculture, education, etc.
While this was not a meeting I expected to participate in, I enjoyed it and thought it was pretty fascinating to watch the beginning formation of a group that could make a big difference in this community and surrounding areas within the watershed.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Questions for the Maumelle Middle School 8th Graders
After meeting with the 8th grade class that will be working in the White Oak Bayou, several things became clear. First of all, they already have a lot of data after collecting once a week every week for the past several weeks (I think they said 5 or 6 weeks). They also have tons of photos from one of Scott's cameras (almost all of which have deer in them, all of which seemed to have some visible animals). They also have a video that was amusing regarding their project.
So now comes our first interaction: we need to ask them questions. Not just what we want to know, but what do we think they need to know. It became clear that while they have all of this data, they don't seem to know why. They don't seem to know what purpose it will serve. They also don't seem to know what it is that they are measuring (they were checking the turbidity, but they didn't seem to know what that meant, why it was important, or what the units meant).
So, we need questions for them ASAP (coming from the great procrastinator, that must sound funny), because the sooner they get the questions, the sooner they can start looking for the answers and get back to us for the next step in the process. I believe we hope to check in on them Tuesday of next week to see what they have come up with. So comment your questions, please.
So now comes our first interaction: we need to ask them questions. Not just what we want to know, but what do we think they need to know. It became clear that while they have all of this data, they don't seem to know why. They don't seem to know what purpose it will serve. They also don't seem to know what it is that they are measuring (they were checking the turbidity, but they didn't seem to know what that meant, why it was important, or what the units meant).
So, we need questions for them ASAP (coming from the great procrastinator, that must sound funny), because the sooner they get the questions, the sooner they can start looking for the answers and get back to us for the next step in the process. I believe we hope to check in on them Tuesday of next week to see what they have come up with. So comment your questions, please.
Week of February 17
Last week we worked on our data libraries for out Trimble units using Pathfinder. This was the first time for any of us to use the software, but everyone spent some time with it and almost everyone got their data libraries on their Trimble units. Creating a library for species was difficult because I would ideally need to create an attribute row for each species and within the row for each location, list the number of each species identified within the plot. However, that would require me to make many rows which would make it difficult to enter my data for each location. As a compromise I created fields for the dominant species we expect to find as well as five "other" fields to list other species identified. Hopefully there are no more than five "other" species. If there are then I can adjust my library at a later date.
On Friday we had guest speakers from the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health in North Little Rock. It was really great to hear about potential jobs after graduation. Although I intend to go to graduate school in the fall, I will still at some point need to find a job and hearing tips from recent UCA graduates was really informative.
As a class we also made a list of equipment for field work on Friday February 28 when we go out in the field with Allyn. I have added a densiometer to my list of equipment because Dr. Entrekin wants me to also survey density along with richness.
On Friday we had guest speakers from the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health in North Little Rock. It was really great to hear about potential jobs after graduation. Although I intend to go to graduate school in the fall, I will still at some point need to find a job and hearing tips from recent UCA graduates was really informative.
As a class we also made a list of equipment for field work on Friday February 28 when we go out in the field with Allyn. I have added a densiometer to my list of equipment because Dr. Entrekin wants me to also survey density along with richness.
Volunteer with the Arkansas Heritage Commission-great experience!
Why? remannt prairie and savannah has lot of dumped tires
What? pick up tires, clean them, recycle, and learn about the natural history of the site from Arkansas Heritage professionals
What's in it for you? Satisfy your volunteer requirement for this class. Build resume. Do something for the community
When? March 15th from 9am to 4pm. See map below
Interested? Contact Coleman Little at czlittle@uca.edu
Bring: food, water, gloves, wear grubbies
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/arkansas/placesweprotect/terre-noire.xml
What? pick up tires, clean them, recycle, and learn about the natural history of the site from Arkansas Heritage professionals
What's in it for you? Satisfy your volunteer requirement for this class. Build resume. Do something for the community
When? March 15th from 9am to 4pm. See map below
Interested? Contact Coleman Little at czlittle@uca.edu
Bring: food, water, gloves, wear grubbies
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/arkansas/placesweprotect/terre-noire.xml
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Week of 17Feb14
Wednesday was spent getting an equipment list together and working on Trimble/Pathfinder. MarySue's instructions are extremely helpful, but students still need time to work through the interfaces and often we have glitches with the units. This exercise requires a full lab period-note for next class. Everyone has a nice data library that should make data collection easier.
Allyn is meeting us in the field next week. Everyone will be collecting some data. Kyle might need to wait till later, but perhaps he could go before the entire crew shows up and get some initial counts?
Kell is going to contact some herpetologists and run his methods by them before he goes out Friday. I think everyone will be up and running after next Friday.
I need to grade the final proposals this coming week and send them to the WOB group.
Allyn is meeting us in the field next week. Everyone will be collecting some data. Kyle might need to wait till later, but perhaps he could go before the entire crew shows up and get some initial counts?
Kell is going to contact some herpetologists and run his methods by them before he goes out Friday. I think everyone will be up and running after next Friday.
I need to grade the final proposals this coming week and send them to the WOB group.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Message from MMM teacher
Hey guys--With a broken wrist and shoulder, communication by email has
been spotty, to say the least...anyway, my students are planning on
clearing the trail as much as possible Monday Feb. 24 and Tuesday, Feb. 25 from 3:40-5:30
both days. We have a parent who will help, but we are hoping Sally can
bring a couple of students to help and also that Bill might be able to
come. I have also invited Jack Stowe from the City of Maumelle to come,
too. Maybe if we have enough man power, we can make some progress.
Bill's wife said they have a brush cutter, and the parent is bringing a
chain saw--my students are bringing rakes and gloves. I think we will
need handsaws and chainsaws and some type of brush cutters and gloves if
you have them.
I have a work day at school Monday, so will be there as soon as we dismiss.
Please let me know if you can possibly come help us--we really want to get this started before it warms up and critters begin to move around! You can contact me using my cell phone ----501-681-0174----rather than calling the school.
I have a work day at school Monday, so will be there as soon as we dismiss.
Please let me know if you can possibly come help us--we really want to get this started before it warms up and critters begin to move around! You can contact me using my cell phone ----501-681-0174----rather than calling the school.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Friday, Feb. 19, 2014 - 1300-1700
White Oak Bayou
Sunny. Rained recently.
Everyone met in the field to establish the four sites. We took handheld GPS units, and collected points at each site. Placing the field cameras and rods was a secondary objective. Finding good, partially inundated locations was easy enough; however, adjusting the camera (once mounted on a tree) to get all of the rod into focus was difficult. We ended up using sticks, and whatever else was available to tilt the units downward. This is probably only a temporary fix.
While in the field, the issue of finite boundaries for each site was raised by myself and others. For several of our projects, data collections must occur within predefined areas, not all of which may be congruent. Dr. Entrekin challenged us to think about how best to situate our plots to accurately quantify the conditions at each site. For me, this means encompassing as much of the gradient between upland and deep water as possible. Kell made a suggestion regarding amphibian collection, proposing that we use a flat board to provide shelter for them, then count whatever crawls underneath.
White Oak Bayou
Sunny. Rained recently.
Everyone met in the field to establish the four sites. We took handheld GPS units, and collected points at each site. Placing the field cameras and rods was a secondary objective. Finding good, partially inundated locations was easy enough; however, adjusting the camera (once mounted on a tree) to get all of the rod into focus was difficult. We ended up using sticks, and whatever else was available to tilt the units downward. This is probably only a temporary fix.
While in the field, the issue of finite boundaries for each site was raised by myself and others. For several of our projects, data collections must occur within predefined areas, not all of which may be congruent. Dr. Entrekin challenged us to think about how best to situate our plots to accurately quantify the conditions at each site. For me, this means encompassing as much of the gradient between upland and deep water as possible. Kell made a suggestion regarding amphibian collection, proposing that we use a flat board to provide shelter for them, then count whatever crawls underneath.
Field Day- Feb 14th
When 13:30-18:00
Who- Practicum Class and Dr. Entrekin
Friday was our first day as a lab to get out and really get dirty in the wetlands. We took out our GPS trimble units that Mary-Sue Passe-Smith provided, as well as very handy instructions. We were able to plot all of our points on the GPS units, except for me. My unit was finicky and I lost all my point because I had to re-set my device. Thankfully I have 6 other lab mates that took the same points, so data is not lost!
As for hydrology, we were able to successfully set up all four cameras and PVC measuring pipe. I had to get a little clever and figure out how to keep the PVC in view of the camera by shoving pieces of stick between the tree and the camera to get a good downward angle. Hopefully this rigging with zip ties will stay in place and the sticks will stay wedged between the tree and camera.
We went out to our control site for the first time today, and at first I was a little worried we might get shot. There were a lot of private property posting signs, but Dr. Entrekin assured us that Scott Owen cleared it with the land owner we would be out on the land. This area was probably the most interesting habitat type. There were a lot of dead/dying trees. Mostly oak, we realized that this now impounded area was not always this wet. The beavers have impounded this area and now it's suffering. Data in this area will be very interesting to analyze!
Overall, even though we were in the field a lot longer than expected it was a great day, with great weather. I was happy to spend a few hours soaking up some Vit D.
On a side note, it was my task to set up a twitter account for the White Oak Bayou and here it is. I think we need to take some pictures of WOB to make our twitter more pretty!
https://twitter.com/WOBPracticum
When 13:30-18:00
Who- Practicum Class and Dr. Entrekin
Friday was our first day as a lab to get out and really get dirty in the wetlands. We took out our GPS trimble units that Mary-Sue Passe-Smith provided, as well as very handy instructions. We were able to plot all of our points on the GPS units, except for me. My unit was finicky and I lost all my point because I had to re-set my device. Thankfully I have 6 other lab mates that took the same points, so data is not lost!
As for hydrology, we were able to successfully set up all four cameras and PVC measuring pipe. I had to get a little clever and figure out how to keep the PVC in view of the camera by shoving pieces of stick between the tree and the camera to get a good downward angle. Hopefully this rigging with zip ties will stay in place and the sticks will stay wedged between the tree and camera.
We went out to our control site for the first time today, and at first I was a little worried we might get shot. There were a lot of private property posting signs, but Dr. Entrekin assured us that Scott Owen cleared it with the land owner we would be out on the land. This area was probably the most interesting habitat type. There were a lot of dead/dying trees. Mostly oak, we realized that this now impounded area was not always this wet. The beavers have impounded this area and now it's suffering. Data in this area will be very interesting to analyze!
Overall, even though we were in the field a lot longer than expected it was a great day, with great weather. I was happy to spend a few hours soaking up some Vit D.
On a side note, it was my task to set up a twitter account for the White Oak Bayou and here it is. I think we need to take some pictures of WOB to make our twitter more pretty!
https://twitter.com/WOBPracticum
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Getting Our Feet Wet
Alyson Stepina
02/14/14
Location: WOB Collection Sites
Time spent: 1:30-5:20
Team members: Practicum Class and Dr. Entrekin
02/14/14
Location: WOB Collection Sites
Time spent: 1:30-5:20
Team members: Practicum Class and Dr. Entrekin
Today we went out to the four sites for the second time. This
time we had an idea of the sites and what we were doing so we were able to
explore more. The first time we went out we were not able to spend much time at
the control site due to a lack of time so this gave us another time as a group to do that. We set up a camera at each of the four
sites as well as learned to use the Trimble units. I was especially excited to
actually be able to get in the water and explore. Kyle and I spent time at each
of the sites walking around and just deciding which areas we thought would be
best to collect our samples from. I find it very calming to just walk around in
the water and appreciate the natural wonder that is a wetland. Now I am excited
to collect and identify all of the different macroinvertebrates!
What do I need to do?
Great day in the field on February 14th. Students have really thought a lot about their projects. Here is what I need to do to get them rolling:
Wed: We will learn how to set up a data dictionary using the trimble units and students will download their GPS points.
Amphibians: love Kell's idea of adding habitat. Now we need to get a plan and get materials. Allyn sent an email on a contact, so we need to contact him and set up a time to talk.
Habitat: Gray has a good idea of how to do the HGM. Now we need to just go out and try it out and get him settled in with the methods. We need to ask Allyn to go in the field with us.
Plants: Grace has worked on a nice key and has a good idea of how to set up her transects. Next step is to arrange a time she can meet with Allyn. So, Gray and Grace definately should meet with Allyn. After Grace meets with Allyn then we should schedule a time with Theo Whitsell who has already said he will meet with her. We will shoot for a friday during lab time.
Bugs: Alyson's methods are solid and she has a good handle on her design. I'd say she is ready to hit the ground and I can go out and help her with the first collection.
Birds: I think Kyle has a good idea of what he is doing. Just need to go out and try out his methods and see how they work out. Still searching for a bird expert.
Water quality: Josh has a good idea of what he is doing. Now, we need to confirm number of samples and where he needs to sample. It would be good if I went out with Alyson and Josh on the same day.
Hydrology: Ali did a good job in leading the charge to get cameras out-see other posts for interesting details. Now she will work with Josh and figure out methods for sampling and analysis.
Maumelle Middle School: I'm scheduled to meet with Candy on Tuesday of next week during class time. ~10 to 12 . Trail clean up did not happen, so waiting for the reschedule information. Need to talk to practicum students to determine what day of the week they could meet with the students.
Great progress class!
Wed: We will learn how to set up a data dictionary using the trimble units and students will download their GPS points.
Amphibians: love Kell's idea of adding habitat. Now we need to get a plan and get materials. Allyn sent an email on a contact, so we need to contact him and set up a time to talk.
Habitat: Gray has a good idea of how to do the HGM. Now we need to just go out and try it out and get him settled in with the methods. We need to ask Allyn to go in the field with us.
Plants: Grace has worked on a nice key and has a good idea of how to set up her transects. Next step is to arrange a time she can meet with Allyn. So, Gray and Grace definately should meet with Allyn. After Grace meets with Allyn then we should schedule a time with Theo Whitsell who has already said he will meet with her. We will shoot for a friday during lab time.
Bugs: Alyson's methods are solid and she has a good handle on her design. I'd say she is ready to hit the ground and I can go out and help her with the first collection.
Birds: I think Kyle has a good idea of what he is doing. Just need to go out and try out his methods and see how they work out. Still searching for a bird expert.
Water quality: Josh has a good idea of what he is doing. Now, we need to confirm number of samples and where he needs to sample. It would be good if I went out with Alyson and Josh on the same day.
Hydrology: Ali did a good job in leading the charge to get cameras out-see other posts for interesting details. Now she will work with Josh and figure out methods for sampling and analysis.
Maumelle Middle School: I'm scheduled to meet with Candy on Tuesday of next week during class time. ~10 to 12 . Trail clean up did not happen, so waiting for the reschedule information. Need to talk to practicum students to determine what day of the week they could meet with the students.
Great progress class!
Valentines Day in the WOB
Another day on the ground. We got our hydro monitoring cameras up around the sites. It took some MacGyverizing to get the perfect camera angles, but ingenuity and zip ties won the day.
We also got started with the Trimble GPS units. Those things are pretty cool, though they take some getting used to. It's going to be awesome to get to use them more!
There were lots of birds in the area Friday. The air temps started warming a bit & it was perfect foraging weather. A Northern Flicker got a little too close to a Red-headed Woodpecker's hangout and was promptly scolded & routed out of the tree. Bad for him but good for us as he escaped within better viewing range for us.
I have a good feeling about working here. I am optimistic about this project and eager to get things started. Right now the plan is to go back this weekend and start collecting data.
More to come.
We also got started with the Trimble GPS units. Those things are pretty cool, though they take some getting used to. It's going to be awesome to get to use them more!
There were lots of birds in the area Friday. The air temps started warming a bit & it was perfect foraging weather. A Northern Flicker got a little too close to a Red-headed Woodpecker's hangout and was promptly scolded & routed out of the tree. Bad for him but good for us as he escaped within better viewing range for us.
I have a good feeling about working here. I am optimistic about this project and eager to get things started. Right now the plan is to go back this weekend and start collecting data.
More to come.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Friday, February 14
Grace Kellner
02/14/14
Location: Data Collection Sites
Time spent: 1:30-5:45
Team members: Everyone
This week in lab we discussed communication and different ways to communicate, not only within our groups, but in our lab class and also the public and middle school children. We made plans to set up a Twitter account and a Facebook page. I am in charge of contacting The Echo to see if they will do a story on our class in order to increase campus awareness regarding our work.
On Friday we went out in the field and set up cameras to monitor hydrology. This was good to begin collecting data. It was difficult to set up the cameras to get both the top and bottom numbers of the notched PVC pipes in the viewer lens so that it can accurately track water level changes. Ali devised a makeshift method of using pieces of wood to wedge between the cameras and the tree in order to angle them downward to get the bottom measurements. We also had to work to strategically place the cameras where they would not be seen by people and potentially vandalized, but also where they could best monitor changes to the hydrology.
I went over my methods with Dr. Entrekin because I was not totally sure how I would set up my plots and where I would decide to set them up. We talked about it and decided that the best way to do it would be to use Google Earth to set up transects numbered by meter that include both upland and bottom land areas. I will then use a random number generator to determine where along the transect to set up my 0.08 ha circle plots. For ares that do not have canopy cover, I will use a square meter plot and determine the number of grass species in the meter. I should do about four of these in the grassy areas to equal the amount of area in proportion to the area used for assessment in my circle plots.
As a class we got to break out the Trimble units to figure out how to work them. A big "thank you" to Mary Sue Passe-Smith for giving us instructions on how to work them. We have all had experience in Cartography, but for most of us it has been at least a year or two since we have used them and her instructions were very handy. It was good to get experience using them now so that when we go out on our own time to collect data we will know how to work them and will not have to figure it out again. Everybody took points of the locations where we set up the cameras.
Lab took about an extra hour out in the field than we had planned. This gives me an idea of how time-consuming data collection will be. The only days I am able to collect data due to my work schedule, are Fridays during our allotted lab time, and the weekends. This could be difficult in collaborating with local professionals for field assistance because those that work during the government work typical 9-5 hours during the week and do not work on the weekends. However, getting help identifying vegetation, learning tips and tricks for vegetation identification, and solidifying my methods with a professional would be extremely helpful and so I hope to be able to successfully collaborate for a meeting time very soon regarding field work.
02/14/14
Location: Data Collection Sites
Time spent: 1:30-5:45
Team members: Everyone
This week in lab we discussed communication and different ways to communicate, not only within our groups, but in our lab class and also the public and middle school children. We made plans to set up a Twitter account and a Facebook page. I am in charge of contacting The Echo to see if they will do a story on our class in order to increase campus awareness regarding our work.
On Friday we went out in the field and set up cameras to monitor hydrology. This was good to begin collecting data. It was difficult to set up the cameras to get both the top and bottom numbers of the notched PVC pipes in the viewer lens so that it can accurately track water level changes. Ali devised a makeshift method of using pieces of wood to wedge between the cameras and the tree in order to angle them downward to get the bottom measurements. We also had to work to strategically place the cameras where they would not be seen by people and potentially vandalized, but also where they could best monitor changes to the hydrology.
I went over my methods with Dr. Entrekin because I was not totally sure how I would set up my plots and where I would decide to set them up. We talked about it and decided that the best way to do it would be to use Google Earth to set up transects numbered by meter that include both upland and bottom land areas. I will then use a random number generator to determine where along the transect to set up my 0.08 ha circle plots. For ares that do not have canopy cover, I will use a square meter plot and determine the number of grass species in the meter. I should do about four of these in the grassy areas to equal the amount of area in proportion to the area used for assessment in my circle plots.
As a class we got to break out the Trimble units to figure out how to work them. A big "thank you" to Mary Sue Passe-Smith for giving us instructions on how to work them. We have all had experience in Cartography, but for most of us it has been at least a year or two since we have used them and her instructions were very handy. It was good to get experience using them now so that when we go out on our own time to collect data we will know how to work them and will not have to figure it out again. Everybody took points of the locations where we set up the cameras.
Lab took about an extra hour out in the field than we had planned. This gives me an idea of how time-consuming data collection will be. The only days I am able to collect data due to my work schedule, are Fridays during our allotted lab time, and the weekends. This could be difficult in collaborating with local professionals for field assistance because those that work during the government work typical 9-5 hours during the week and do not work on the weekends. However, getting help identifying vegetation, learning tips and tricks for vegetation identification, and solidifying my methods with a professional would be extremely helpful and so I hope to be able to successfully collaborate for a meeting time very soon regarding field work.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
W.O.B. Second Day in the Field
Date: 2-14-14
Location: White Oak Bayou
Time: 1:30 - 5:00
Name: Kyle Sliger
Friday, our environmental practicum class spent some time in the field for some initial preparations and training. First, we spent some time at the degraded site by the power lines learning to properly use the Tremble GPS units. Although most of us have worked with them before, it's nice to brush up on a useful skill. We then proceeded to set up our outdoor camera at the degraded site in order to monitor water levels. Next we visited the two pre-impacted sites and installed our cameras and discussed the different habitats to be studied and the methods with which to do so. The next site we visited to install our final camera was the control site. Here we learned how beavers could alter the hydrology to the extent that trees were rapidly dying off in the area due to too much water. This site was beautiful and I expect to see a lot of birds to study while I am there.
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