Data entry in-progress
We are currently processing the tremendous amount of data submitted by 122 volunteers who participated in SEWISC’s second roadside survey. Citizen scientists collected location and population size data for wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) and also fine-tuned the 2011 reports for common and cut-leaved teasel (Dipsacus sylvestris and D. laciniatus), common reed grass (Phragmites australis) and Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum). The survey was among 18 projects selected for assistance through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 2012-13 Citizen-based Monitoring Partnership Program. Additional funding for survey coordination was provided by the US Forest Service.
Due to the short flowering period of wild parsnip, survey teams only had a few weeks to conduct their searches this year which conflicted with the vacation plans of many volunteers. As a result, several 2011 teams recruited friends, colleagues and family members to conduct the 2012 surveys and 47% of our volunteers were new recruits! Thanks to the 181 volunteers who have donated more than 2,500 hours and drove, hiked and biked nearly 26,000 miles through their neighborhoods over the past two years to identify and map these problematic species. We also want to thank our County GIS Departments and the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission who eagerly supplied the volunteers with township maps.
In 2013 we will be looking for teams to help collect missing data in the Walworth County townships of Lafayette and East Troy and in the Sheboygan County townships of Russell, Greenbush, Lyndon, Sheboygan and Sheboygan Falls. Populations of all 5 species have yet to be mapped in the Walworth townships while only wild parsnip data is missing in those Sheboygan County townships. If you would like to volunteer to help map the missing data in 2013, please contact us at: . The results of the survey will be summarized soon on our website. You will also have opportunities to help control these populations in 2013 so stay tuned!