By Chase Bergeson
We’re looking for volunteers to collect scientific data and conduct research in some of North Carolina’s wetland areas. Volunteers will be trained on site by Carolina Wetlands Association scientists and engineers from North Carolina State University (NCSU).
This is not only a chance for volunteers to contribute to scientific data and research, but it is a great way to get outside and meet like-minded people. It’s also a great opportunity to learn new skills or practice old ones, such as wetland plant identification.
Volunteers monitor water quality and hydrology of three wetlands in the Triangle area on a quarterly basis. The sites are Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, and Robertson Millpond Preserve. Volunteers also take vegetation and amphibian surveys, and map invasive plant species. Carolina Wetlands Association uses iNaturalist to help identify and log plant and animal observations. We hope this wonderful tool can aid volunteers of all skill levels to monitor successfully.
A need for skilled iNaturalist people
In the pilot phase of this project, much of our efforts have been focused on training volunteers and working on effective monitoring protocols and data management strategies. When training volunteers, especially on vegetation identification, it helps to have experienced plant lovers! Even if plant experts cannot make it out into the field with us, checking our identifications on iNaturalist is also very helpful to our project.
The project aims to create high-quality, accessible data for use by the state for reference-based wetland mitigation, to protect the future of our wetlands, and to be openly available to the public. The program continues with volunteer scientists’ research that had been conducted earlier by NCSU and state agencies, and is now funded by the EPA. It was established in 2019 in partnership among Carolina Wetlands Association, Research Triangle Institute (RTI International), and NCSU through an Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 Wetland Program Development Grant.
Our pilot project will continue to run through 2023 and we hope to expand our monitoring program across the state in the coming years. We are always looking for new volunteers!
For more information on this program and other Carolina Wetlands Association projects, contact the Volunteer Coordinator Chase Bergeson at chase.bergeson@carolinawetlands.org.
By Chase Bergeson
Native Plant News – Fall 2023
Chase Bergeson is a program coordinator for Carolina Wetlands Association living in Raleigh, NC. She is passionate about working with communities on conservation of our water resources. She has an MS in natural resources from NC State University and has experience working in water quality monitoring, environmental consulting, and environmental education. She loves to spend time with her friends and family, traveling, swimming, kayaking, and walking in the woods.