Wisconsin Ephemeral Pond Project (WEPP) Spring 2010

Ephemeral ponds are depressional wetlands that temporarily hold water in the spring and early summer or after heavy rains. They are isolated, without a permanent inlet or outlet, and dry up often by mid to late summer. Ephemeral ponds are typically free of fish, which allows for the successful breeding of certain amphibians and invertebrates.

WEPP Goals – Building a Foundation Map ephemeral ponds in Wisconsin. Study ephemeral ponds to learn more about the diversity of plants and animals that depend upon them. Share the knowledge on the ecological value of ephemeral ponds. Protect wetlands for future generations. W EPP – CITIZEN MONITORING NETWORK

What WEPP Includes 1.Interpret air photos and use GIS to map what may be Ephemeral Ponds (done) 2.Ground-truth to verify mapped ponds & improve mapping methods 3.Collect baseline data to describe the different types of ponds 4.Establish selected EPs for long-term monitoring and reference sites

WEPP Partners with WI’s Citizen-Based Water Monitoring Network Concordia University of Wisc Mequon Nature Preserve Milwaukee Zoological Society Pringle Nature Center Friends of Richard Bong State Recreation Area Riveredge Nature Center Schlitz Audubon Nature Center Sheboygan River Basin Partnership Wehr Nature Center UW-Milwaukee UW-Parkside Natural Resource Technology, Inc. Great Lakes Ecological Services Friends of Cedarburg Bog Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation Ozaukee County Planning Dept Sheboygan County Planning Dept UW- Extension DNR SEWRPC Wisconsin Metro Audubon Society... more in

Pilot Mapping Area – Five Coastal Counties – Milwaukee River Basin – Towns of Eagle & LaGrange 2010 – rest of Washington, Waukesha & Walworth Counties

Volunteer Training at PPEC

Mapping Potential Ephemeral Ponds

Fun in the Muck! Breanna Riedel

Results 8296 PEPs mapped 753 monitored total (9.1%) 594 by DNR + counties +TNC over 4 years (most in first two years) 159 by CMN volunteers over 2 years 2008 – 43; 2009 – 116

138 Not sure; 615 determined 104 Professional Not Sure - 21% 34 Volunteer Not Sure – 18% Of the 615 Determined PEPs 74% verified ephemeral ponds 15% other wetlands types 11% not wetland (eg rock pile,) Monitors also documented 50 unmapped ephemeral ponds Results

Goals for Complete Ground-truthing surveys for more PEPs 2. Build Self-Sustaining Network

Training Sessions on citizen monitoring protocol – same form as 2009 Riveredge April 10, 2010, others to be announced Continued 3-6 sites per team Revisit “Not Sure” sites Current Grant ends June 30, 2010, future funding is being sought Ephemeral Pond Monitoring 2010

Thank You! ‘Where art thou ephemeral pond?’ Partners & Volunteers Tom Bernthal, WDNR Gail Epping Overholt, UWEX Brick Fevold, WDNR Joanne Kline, WDNR Kris Stepenuck, UWEX Wisconsin Coastal Management Program University of Wisconsin Extension

Presentation adapted from original created by Joanne Kline.