virginia birding & wildlife trail€¦ · virginia birding & wildlife trail . adopt-a-trail...

Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries

Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail Adopt-A-Trail Project

Jessica Ruthenberg, Watchable Wildlife Biologist Brian Moyer, Wildlife Recreation Program Manager

Training Overview A. Intro to DGIF & Watchable Wildlife B. Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail

A. What and Why B. History of the VBWT and DGIF’s role C. Current status

C. Adopt – A –Trail Project A. Purpose B. Site Visits - What you’ll be doing and how C. How to Get Your Chapter Started D. Seasonal Visits and Modifications E. Timeline F. What comes after Phase I?

D. Questions

Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries

Mission: • Manage Virginia’s wildlife populations to

maintain optimum populations of all species • Provide recreational opportunities for all to

enjoy wildlife • Promote safety for persons and property related

to wildlife and boating recreation • Provide educational outreach programs

and materials that foster an awareness of and appreciation for Virginia's fish and wildlife resources, their habitats, and hunting, fishing, and boating opportunities.

The VBWT is part of DGIF’s Watchable Wildlife Program

Enhance and promote • wildlife viewing • nature appreciation

Increase community awareness and

support for wildlife conservation

Why We Do It What We Do

DGIF.Virginia.gov/WildlifeWatching Facebook.com/ VDGIF

• Organized into 65 Driving Trail Loops with 637 Individual Sites (and still growing!) • Ownership of Sites Varies from public to private • Each site is marked with VBWT signage • Trail Guide available in 2 Options online – VBWT Website & Find Wildlife Website;

previously was available in hard copy

Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail What is the VBWT?

A statewide driving trail that links together sites for birding and viewing wildlife

Objectives: • Promote wildlife watching as a recreational activity in Virginia. • Demonstrate the economic value of wildlife through ecotourism $.

Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail

Goal: Increase awareness, appreciation and conservation of Virginia’s wildlife and native habitats.

Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail History of the Trail

Was the 1st Statewide Birding & Wildlife Trail in the U.S.!

Funding: • Initial planning supported by

VDGIF’s Non-Game Fund

Completed in 3 Phases between 1999 - 2004:

1st) Coastal: 2002 2nd) Mountain: 2003 3rd) Piedmont: 2004

• Support for all 3 development phases was provided by:

• Continued to assess applications for new sites • Coordinated with site contacts to establish new sites • Assisted with site enhancements – technical

assistance &/ or funding for Viewing Structures Trails Habitat Improvements Interpretive Signage

• Developed series of marketing materials (brochures)

• Maintained VBWT signage as aware (over 1,400 signs)

• Conducted a formal assessment (2008)

• Produced a series of guide books (newest in 2007)

• Developed a website: DGIF.Virginia.gov/VBWT • Added e-Bird links to website (2009)

Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail DGIF’s Role Over the Years:

Maintain and Coordinate the VBWT as a Whole

• Addressed questions and concerns as aware of them

Areas of Opportunity • Update Descriptions and Contact Info – Many site descriptions outdated

and site contacts and websites have changed unknowingly over time • Replace Signage – old signage; some faded, damaged, or missing • Increase & Revive Promotion – promotion from tourism agencies

dwindled over time • Increase Communication with Site Owners/ Managers - has waned over

time • Increase Public Engagement & Awareness – we want more Virginians and

tourists aware of the VBWT and using it! • Update Website Design – outdated, static design (NEW Find Wildlife

website and recent agency-wide website overhaul is a good start!) • Update Driving Directions Format – no longer reflects the way people

navigate (NEW Find Wildlife website is a start towards improvement!) • Complete and Improve E-bird Links - Not all sites have e-Bird lists; some

lesser known sites appear to have very few observations entered

Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail After 12 Years, the VBWT is in Need of Extra Attention

With 637 Sites Statewide and 2 Watchable Wildlife Programing Staff, we need assistance!

Adopt –A–Trail Project Phase I Project Overview:

• VMN Chapters adopt their local VBWT loop(s) and select an AAT Coordinator for their chapter

• AAT Coordinators recruit chapter members to adopt individual sites along their chapter’s loop(s).

• Participating members conduct visits to each site 1-4 times per year, depending on number of loops adopted by chapter, loop size and membership numbers

• Complete a checklist of tasks at each site visit: Verify guide info – site info, description, directions Record condition of VBWT Signage Record any major issues/ “red flags” Bird the site and record observations in eBird Record any wildlife observations in VA Wildlife Mapping Project (iNaturalist)

• Communicate with site owners / managers – only once per year; checklist provides talking points/ questions

• Submit checklists back to DGIF - 4 times per year

A Partnership between DGIF and the VMN Program to Improve and Maintain the VBWT

virginiamasternaturalist.org/virginia-birding-and-wildlife-trail-adoption

1. Visit the VBWT website. DGIF.Virginia.gov/VBWT

• Find the VBWT webpage for your assigned site to learn about it. • Click on the “website” link to visit the site’s own website. (Note:

may be outdated, so may require detective work to find) • Print a copy of the site’s VBWT webpage.

Adopt –A–Trail Project – Phase I How to Prepare for a Site Visit

dgif.virginia.gov/vbwt

VBWT Web Site: DGIF.Virginia.gov/VBWT

Adopt –A–Trail Project – Phase I




2. Visit the Adopt-A-Trail Project page on the VMN website. virginiamasternaturalist.org/virginia-birding-and-wildlife-trail-adoption

• Print a site visit checklist • Print a car window sign.


virginiamasternaturalist.org/virginia-birding-and-wildlife-trail-adoption






3. Reach out to the site contact to arrange a meeting time or phone call. Talking points are provided on the checklist.

• If the site is privately owned, verify that the owner is aware their property is a VBWT site.

• NOTE: Sometimes the contact info online can be outdated and this will require detective work to find the appropriate contact.










4. Create accounts in eBird (ebird.org) and iNaturalist (iNaturalist.org). 5. Optional: Download smartphone apps for eBird and iNaturalist.


Adopt –A–Trail Project – Phase I How to Set Up an eBird Account

1. Go to the website: ebird.org 2. Click on “My eBird” tab to create

an account. 3. Familiarize yourself with the

website. 4. Optional: To download the free

eBird app, go to your smartphone’s App Store/ Google Play and search for “eBird.” The app is by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Click on “get” or “download” to install the app to your phone.

Adopt –A–Trail Project – Phase I How to Set up an iNaturalist Account

1. Go to the website: inaturalist.org 2. Click on “Sign up” to create an account. 3. Click on “Projects” and enter “Virginia

Wildlife Mapping” into the “Search” bar. 4. Click on “Virginia Wildlife Mapping” to view

our project. This is where you will add your observations. Direct link: inaturalist.org/projects/virginia-wildlife-mapping

5. Familiarize yourself with the website. 6. Optional: To download the free iNaturalist

app, go to your smartphone’s App Store/ Google Play and search for “iNaturalist.” The app is by iNaturalist, LLC. Click on “get” or “download” to install the app.

7. Remember, always enter your observations into the “Virginia Wildlife Mapping” project, otherwise DGIF will not have access to your observations.









4. Create accounts in eBird (ebird.org) and iNaturalist (iNaturalist.org). 5. Optional: Download smartphone apps for eBird and iNaturalist. 6. Optional: Visit the Find Wildlife website:

vafwis.dgif.virginia.gov/FindWildlifeVA/#/findWildlife • Can be used to map directions from any location to your site(s).


Adopt –A–Trail Project – Phase I How to Conduct a Site Visit

1. Bring:

• Adopt-A-Trail Visit Checklist. • A printed copy of your site’s webpage on the

VBWT website. • Digital camera or smartphone • Recommended: binoculars, bird guide, pocket

size note pad. • Optional: smartphone with ebird and

iNaturalist apps installed • Writing utensil and clipboard. • Personal Items for the Outdoors: Water, snacks,

sunscreen, and weather-appropriate clothing.

2. Complete all items on the checklist. Note: Time spent will vary based on the type and size of site.

Generally, a site visit should approximate how long an ordinary visitor may spend at the site to bird it and observe wildlife, plus ~15 min to complete the checklist and an additional ~15 min if

you are having your meeting with the manager at that time.

Adopt –A–Trail Project – Phase I How to Conduct a Site Visit

1. Enter your bird observations in eBird.

(If not done so already, with the app.) • Reminders:

– Use the same hotspot as used on the VBWT webpage for your site. You can find the hotspot by using the eBird links on your site’s VBWT webpage.

– If there is no eBird link on the site’s VBWT webpage, follow the checklist instructions for how to enter the data.

• Respond to the eBird questions on the checklist.

Adopt –A–Trail Project – Phase I After the Site Visit – How to Enter Data

2. Enter your wildlife observations into iNaturalist. (If not done so already, with the app.)

1) Upload your wildlife photos onto your computer, so they can be added to your observations. 2) Go to http://www.inaturalist.org/projects/virginia-wildlife-mapping 3) Click on “Add Observations” 4) Click “Choose Files” to select a photo and fill out form for each observation. Tip: Check the box for “sync obs. with metadata.” 5) Name the place where you made your observation, the same as the VBWT site name. 6) Indicate that you completed Wildlife Mapping work on your site visit checklist.

Adopt –A–Trail Project – Phase I After the Site Visit – How to Enter Data

http://www.inaturalist.org/projects/virginia-wildlife-mapping

http://www.inaturalist.org/projects/virginia-wildlife-mapping

1. Have your meeting, phone call, or email

exchange with the site owner/ manager using the talking points. (If you have not already done so.)

2. Submit your completed checklist to your Chapter’s Adopt-A-Trail Coordinator. • Preferred format is electronic. Can be scanned hard

copies or typed directly into the pdf. • Name the file in this format: Site Number_Site

Name_Year_Season • Coordinators compile checklists for all sites on the

loop together as a set and send back to Jessica at DGIF.

– Email: [email protected] – Mail: Jessica Ruthenberg, VA Dept. of Game & Inland

Fisheries, 3909 Airline Blvd. , Chesapeake, VA, 23321

Adopt –A–Trail Project – Phase I After the Site Visit – Final Wrap-up

• Decide what Loop(s) Your Chapter is Adopting. • Choose an AAT Project Coordinator for your Chapter

– Is the point-of-contact for your chapter’s AAT participants. – Is DGIF’s point-of-contact/ liaison with your chapter. – Organizes the sign-up process for your chapter; eg. signupgenius.com – Sets the chapter’s internal deadlines for completion of site visits. – Keeps track of site visit progress and sends reminders to participants. – Gathers all site visit checklists and submits them quarterly back to DGIF. – At the conclusion of each calendar year, submits a project wrap-up report to DGIF. (A form for this

report will be available for download from the AAT project page on the VMN website.)

• Inform DGIF of your Chapter’s Decision to Participate. • Need to know: (1) which loop(s) the chapter is adopting, (2) coordinator’s name and contact info, (3) any

other VMN chapters or Audubon chapters that may be assisting on this loop, and (4) if adopting multiple loops, what your long-term schedule for the year will be (ie. which loop will be completed each season).

• Make AAT an official VMN Project for your Chapter.

Adopt –A–Trail Project – Phase I Getting Your Chapter Started

Adopt –A–Trail Project – Phase I Getting Your Chapter Started

Example

Single Loop Chapters: • Continue site visits seasonally

– Observe Birds eBird – Observe/ Photograph wildlife iNaturalist – Fill out the checklists and submit to Project

Coordinator – At top of sheet, indicate if there were any changes since initial visit (Coordinators only need to send DGIF sheets WITH changes)

• No need to keep contacting the site owner/ manager each season! They only need to be contacted once a year.

Adopt –A–Trail Project – Phase I What comes after your initial visit?

Will have slight variation from chapter-to-chapter

Multiple Loop Chapters: • Rotate to your next loop (or loop section) each

season to complete initial, full Phase I site visits over the course of the project year.

– Spring ‘16 – Loop A - Spring – Loop X, north – Summer ‘16 – Loop B - Summer – Loop X, south – Fall ‘16– Loop C - Fall – Loop X, north – Winter ‘16/ ’17 – Loop A - Winter – Loop X, south – Spring ‘17 – Loop B - Spring – Loop X, south – Summer ‘17 – Loop C - Summer – Loop X, north – Fall ‘17 – Loop A – Winter ‘17/ ’18 – Loop B – Spring ’18 – Loop C

• By rotating multiple loops through the seasons, they will all be visited in each season after 2-3 year’s time (depending on number of loops adopted).

Adopt –A–Trail Project – Phase I What comes after initial visit?

Adopt –A–Trail Project – Phase I Timeline

Coordinators must submit checklists to DGIF each season by:

• Spring – June 30th • Summer – September 30th • Fall – December 31st • Winter – March 31st

*Remember - Chapters must notify DGIF (Jessica Ruthenberg) of their commitment to Adopt-A-Trail in advance of starting the project.

A High Quality VBWT

Positive Visitor Experience

Meet the Goals of the VBWT

Adopt –A–Trail Project – Phase I Outcomes

Many positive

outcomes are possible!

VBWT Guide Maintenance:

DGIF will update the VBWT and Find Wildlife

websites

Signage Maintenance: DGIF will ship replacement

VBWT signs to sites

VBWT Improvements: DGIF will follow up on any issues/ concerns with site

contacts

Site Contacts will be reminded their site is part of the VBWT improved communication with DGIF and visitors about VBWT

Potential for On-site Volunteer Projects –

Remember: 1st Ask site contact what would be

helpful Relationship Building:

VMNs & DGIF site contacts VMNs VBWT

VMNs DGIF

Citizen Science: eBird data used by DGIF

and bird biologists world-wide as well as

VBWT travelers

VA Wildlife Mapping data will be used in Wildlife Observation

Database and Virginia Herp Atlas

Phase II: Site Evaluation/ Survey Your responses will help DGIF

– Rank Sites – destination (“best bet”) site vs. a place to stop-by if your in the neighborhood

– Determine the Top Sites Across VA and in each Region

– Re-promote/ Re-vive Marketing – May be used to add species data

to Find Wildlife; Is your site a “best bet,” “good,” or “available” for viewing warblers?

Adopt –A–Trail Project – Phase I What comes after Phase I?

Adopt-A-Trail is a Long Term Project

Adopt –A–Trail Project – Phase I Questions?

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