Sustaining a long-term monitoring project:Lessons from the Nicolet National Forest Bird Survey

Robert W. HoweCofrin Center for Biodiversity, Department of Natural and Applied SciencesUniversity of Wisconsin-Green Bay

Nicolet National ForestBird Surveyongoing since 1987volunteer based522 points36,000+ recordsSponsored by the U.S. Forest Service, NE Wisconsin Audubon Society, and Wisconsin Society for Ornithology

181 species recorded during 10 minute counts

504 participants

14,400 wood ticks removed from forest

etc., etc.

11+ Masters theses, 16 + published articles/chapters, > 500 participants

Habitat Associations

Bird Population Models

Population TrendsSwainsons Thrush

Important Bird Areas

Upland Forest SpeciesBlack-throated Green Warbler Eastern Wood-Pewee Least Flycatcher Scarlet TanagerCARTLinear Regression

Why has the NNF Bird Survey been successful?

Northern Wisconsin:A Globally Significant Bird Area

Infrastructure

Field Experts

Camaraderie

Timing