Northern CA PPSR Projects 1

Elkhorn Slough Shorebird and Waterfowl Monitoring

• Organization Name

  Elkhorn Slough Foundation and Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
• Project Website

  http://www.elkhornslough.org/volunteer/volunteer_long-term.htm ; http://www.elkhornslough.org/research/bird_esnerr.htm
• Organization Website

  http://www.elkhornslough.org/index.html
• Partners

  N / A
• Contact Name

  Amanda Ankenbrandt, Volunteer Coordinator
• Contact Email

  aankenbrandt@dfg.ca.gov
• Contact Phone

  (831) 728-2822 ext. 303
• Other Contact Information

  N / A
• Project Purpose (taken from project materials)

  Quantify the diversity (species richness) and abundance of shorebirds and waterfowl using central Reserve wetland habitats. If dramatic changes are detected, we can contact other organizations and reserves along the Pacific coast and attempt to find the cause of the pattern, if it is widespread. If the change is only local, we can seek explanations in terms small-scale events such as alterations to pollution levels or habitat management strategies.

• Participant Activities

  Volunteer birders carry out monthly surveys of shorebirds and waterfowl at low tide during 10 minute watches in five defined areas of Reserve wetlands (mudflats and ephemeral freshwater habitats) located along the South Marsh loop trail: Barn Pond, Big Lagoon and 5-Pans, Freshwater Rookery.

• Data Entry

  • Unknown
• Other Participant Activities

  Other volunteer activities include: 

  • Leading guided tours of the Reserve
  • Staffing the Visitor Center and Bookstore
  • Providing general program support
  • Assisting with research at the Reserve
  • Working with our Administration and Maintenance Programs
  • Assisting with habitat restoration
  • Helping with special projects and events
• System Studied

  • Birds
  • Water Quality
  • Wetlands - Freshwater Streams and Marshes
  • Intertidal zone
• Geographic Scope

  Local
• Region

  Monterey
• Location

  Elkhorn Slough
• Location - Map

  1700 Elkhorn Rd., Watsonville, CA 95076
• Time Commitment

  • Monthly
• Volunteer Qualifications

  Research and monitoring opportunities are open to volunteers interested in long-term opportunities. 

• Volunteer Training

  Long-term volunteers participate in the Volunteer Naturalist Training Class. Naturalist training class topics include: ecology, biology, current and past research at the Reserve, ongoing Reserve projects, cultural histories, Interpretation skills, communication techniques, trail mechanics, and educational activities. Everyone is welcome.
  
  The Introductory Orientation training class will be on Saturday January 12.

  The advanced sessions are open to any potential ESNERR Volunteer but required to be a Volunteer Naturalist.  Naturalist classes are every Saturday in February (Feb - 2, 9, 16, 23) with a partial day on Saturday March 9.

  more information on the naturalist training can be found here: http://www.elkhornslough.org/volunteer/volunteer_class.htm

• Cost to Participant

  N / A
• How will the findings be used?

  Data and maps are available on website and are provided to agencies and organizations to guide management decisions and actions

• Other Information

  N / A
• Photo

  N / A
• last update:

  1/3/13