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

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!

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.

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.

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. 

Lake Conway-Point Remove Watershed meeting

Maumelle Middle School trail clean up

February 17th from 130-330. Also, her class meets daily from 10:45 to 11:30. She needs us to help the students analyze their water and set up the camera. Let's discuss the best days of the week for some of you to go.