Wisconsin School Forest Garlic Mustard Monitoring Engaging Teachers

Wisconsin School Forest Garlic Mustard Monitoring: Engaging Teachers and Students October 21, 2005 Citizen-based Monitoring Conference Jeremy Solin Wisconsin School Forest Coordinator

Wisconsin School Forest Garlic Mustard Monitoring Wisconsin School Forest Program l Garlic Mustard Monitoring Project l Future SF Monitoring Projects l

School Forest History School & Community Forest Law – 1927 l 1 st School Forests at Laona, Wabeno and Crandon l Goals l – – Reforestation Income

School Forest Opportunities Meet state education standards l Integrate environmental education into curriculum l Demonstrate sustainable natural resources management l Strengthen school/community relationships l Provide income for schools/school forests l

School Forests Today ~ 345 School Forests l 190 different public school districts (45%) l 66 of 72 counties l Range of sizes (>24, 000 acres in total) l Range of utilization (daily – never) l

Wisconsin School Forest Program Wisconsin School Forest Ed. Specialist l LEAF - The Wisconsin K-12 Forestry Education Program l Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education and the WDNR - Forestry l

School Forest Garlic Mustard Monitoring Wisconsin Nature. Mapping “Special Project” l Teacher Training l Teacher and Student Use l Data l Continuation l

Wisconsin Nature. Mapping Special Project

Teacher Training l May 7, 2005 l 20 Teachers, 17 Districts l Garlic Mustard natural history and control l Wisconsin Nature. Mapping l GPS l Data collection and submission

Teacher and Student Use 16 sites surveyed l Students involved in most of the surveys l At least 4 teachers immediately used the materials in their classroom l All survey respondents (10) expected to use the project in their classroom l

Garlic Mustard Data Area Surveyed l l l 16 sites average area of site = 46 acres average area surveyed = 26 acres

Garlic Mustard Data Garlic Mustard Presence: l l l 9 sites with garlic mustard 8 in counties with documented presence 1 in Waushara County (GM not previously documented) 1 site in a pine plantation intermediate density average area = 3 acres

Garlic Mustard Data Control: l l Pulling was implemented at 7 sites average area treated = 1. 6 acres

Garlic Mustard Data Other Invasives Recorded: l l l Other invasives at 8 sites Buckthorn and honeysuckle most common Also recorded: black locust, reed canary grass, Dame’s rocket, wild parsnip, multi-floral rose, and purple loosestrife

Garlic Mustard Monitoring Continuation Wisconsin Nature. Mapping website l Future recruitment and training of teachers l Integration with other monitoring projects l

Future SF Monitoring Efforts l School Forest Monitoring Network Tree species, diameter, and height (volume, growth rates) – Tree health – Understory diversity – Invertebrates – Tree regeneration – – Salamanders (board monitoring) – Invasives – Downed woody debris