FreeLists / birdky / [birdky] FW: Volunteers needed for IBWO searches in SC

["Vorisek, Shawchyi (FW)" <Shawchyi.Vorisek@xxxxxx>]

FYI:
 
Shawchyi Vorisek 
Avian Biologist
Wildlife Diversity Program 
KY Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources 
#1 Sportsman's Lane 
Frankfort, KY  40601 
(502)564-7109 Ext. 368 
shawchyi.vorisek@xxxxxx 
www.fw.ky.gov <http://www.fw.ky.gov/>  



________________________________

From: Neotropical migratory birds in southeastern United States
discussion list [mailto:SEPART-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Laurel
Barnhill
Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 2:10 PM
To: SEPART-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Volunteers needed for IBWO searches in SC



VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:


 

IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER SEARCHES

IN SOUTH CAROLINA

 

Description: 

The South Carolina Ivory-billed Woodpecker Working Group is seeking
volunteers for conducting ground searches for the Ivory-billed
Woodpecker (IBWO) in South Carolina for the 2007-2008 field season.
Work will begin on or around 12 November 2007 and may continue through
the end of April 2008.

 

Background:

In April 2005, the rediscovery of the IBWO in Arkansas was announced.
Following this announcement, reassessments of historically occupied
areas throughout the Southeast began.  This process, coupled with
sighting reports in South Carolina from recent years, spurred interest
in bringing together resources and expertise from across the state in an
effort to evaluate the possible presence of the species in South
Carolina.  Searches were conducted in 2006 and 2007 at Congaree National
Park, the Francis Marion National Forest, and the Woodbury Tract on the
Great and Little Pee Dee Rivers.  Based on data gathered from these
searches, it was determined that searches will be conducted in the
winter and early spring of 2007-2008.  

 

The South Carolina Ivory-billed Woodpecker Working Group is a joint
partnership between Federal and State agencies, non-governmental
organizations, and private entities, sharing information and resources
related to Ivory-billed Woodpecker issues in South Carolina.

 

Location of Proposed Activities:

The work will be conducted primarily on public lands in the
Congaree-Wateree-Upper Santee Region of South Carolina (Congaree
National Park near Columbia).  Other areas of the state that may be
investigated are the Francis Marion National Forest on the lower Santee
River, and the Woodbury Tract on the Great and Little Pee Dee Rivers.

 

Qualifications/Requirements:

Individuals with birding experience and keen field observation skills
are desired.  The work will consist of traversing remote and rugged
bottomland hardwood forests and floodplain terrain, potentially
entailing long periods of arduous walking and/or hiking through flooded
swamps.  The work will also require long periods of remaining sedentary
at specific observation points.  Each participant may be required to
carry equipment such as a digital video camera and GPS unit, which will
be provided.  Portions of the searches may also require significant
travel by canoe/kayak, so paddling experience would be helpful.  

 

Volunteers will be paired to form a crew with the necessary field skills
and are requested for a two-week (minimum) period of time.  Other
arrangements can be made on a case-by-case basis depending on
volunteer(s) availability and perceived value to the project.
Volunteers will be provided with a training manual and are required to
undergo a 1-day training session before commencing work on the project.

 

Each participant will also be required to sign a Confidentiality Notice
before participating in the project.  Any data gathered during the
project may have tremendous impacts on the recovery of the species, and
therefore information will be controlled by the South Carolina
Ivory-billed Woodpecker Working Group and the National Recovery Team.
Also, because the SC Ivory-billed Woodpecker Working Group is a
multi-agency partnership, it is important that all information related
to the search efforts in South Carolina - especially publicly released
data and any media contact- be coordinated through the Working Group
communications plan.

 

Equipment Needed/Provided:

Each volunteer must provide their own boots (waterproof), waders
(hip/chest), camouflage, foul weather gear, cell phones, and binoculars.
Although not required, some volunteers may be asked to camp in remote
areas.  Therefore volunteers should bring camping equipment if possible
(i.e. tent, sleeping bag, water filter, stove).  Volunteers willing to
bring additional equipment that could be of value to the project are
encouraged to do so.  Due to the remote nature of some of the search
areas, programmable portable radios may be available for search teams.
Other equipment that may be provided to volunteer search teams includes:
canoes/kayaks (where appropriate), GPS units, digital video cameras,
first aid kits, insect repellant and maps/aerial photos of search
locations.

 

Benefits:

Besides being involved in an historic event, lodging will be provided
onsite at Congaree National Park within the Old Growth Bottomland Forest
Research and Education Center.  Accommodations consist of modern,
dormitory style housing and include access to computers, internet,
office space, and laundry facilities.

 

Other:

Interested individuals should submit a brief summary of experience and
potential dates of availability for participation in the 2007/2008
search effort, as well as references.  In addition, if you have
equipment that could be of value to this project that you would be
willing to provide, please include a list for consideration.  The
applicants that fit the criteria for this project will be contacted by
the SC Ivory-billed Woodpecker Coordinator.  After selection, the
coordinator will assist with making arrangements for volunteer
participation. 

 

Contact:

Matthew Moskwik

Ivory-billed Coordinator

mmoskwik@xxxxxxx <mailto:mmoskwik@xxxxxxx> 

(803) 254-9049 ext. 30