[vernalpool] RE: [wftlistserv] Roadkill Observation System

Hello Fraser, and all interested,

Information on Linking Landscapes for Massachusetts Wildlife
(http://linkinglandscapes.info/roads/home.html
<http://linkinglandscapes.info/roads/home.html> ):

Transportation infrastructure affects wildlife through direct mortality
due to vehicle collisions, fragmenting and isolating habitats, and by
altering natural habitats. In addition, roadway usage by wildlife causes
accidents, which can result in property damage and personal injury. To
address these issues, the MassDOT Highway Division has teamed up with
MassWildlife and UMass Amherst to create Linking Landscapes for
Massachusetts Wildlife, a long-term and multifaceted effort to minimize
the impact of the existing road network on wildlife, while improving
highway safety.

The Linking Landscapes research framework is simple: team up with
citizen scientists and conservation organizations to gather information
on wildlife roadway mortality hotspots, to inform long term planning
decisions in the context of transportation infrastructure upgrades. A
critical component to the research is a user friendly online mapping
interface where the general public, environmental practitioners, and
wildlife and highway personnel can document site specific wildlife
mortality observations.

Three Massachusetts citizen science research efforts are underway, each
of which allows online reporting of site specific wildlife roadway
mortality through a Google Maps interface. At present functional level,
these data cannot be viewed online by the public, though, results will
be disseminated through periodic reports posted on the Linking
Landscapes website.

The Wildlife Roadway Mortality Database: Document your observations of
wildlife deceased due to wildlife vehicle collisions on Massachusetts
roadways.

The Vernal Pool Salamander Migration Study: Linking Landscapes is
collaborating with the Vernal Pool Association
(http://www.vernalpool.org/) to document amphibian migrations in
Massachusetts. During early spring rain events, mole salamanders
migrate from their upland hibernating habitat to vernal pools to
reproduce. Often, hibernating habitat and vernal pools are fragmented by
roadways, resulting in roadway mortality. Be on the look out for large
'over the road' salamander migrations in early spring, and record these
locations within the Amphibian Roadway Crossing Database.

The Turtle Roadway Mortality Study: Turtles have existed for millions of
years, but roadways are threatening the survival of local populations.
Turtles in Massachusetts often cross roadways late spring to early fall.
Keep your eyes peeled as you drive by wetland areas, and record your
observations of turtle roadway mortality. In addition, Linking
Landscapes has recently completed the first year of a statewide Turtle
Roadway Mortality Monitoring Program through collaboration with
conservation organizations, watershed associations, and the general
public. Ambitious citizen scientists and conservation organizations are
encouraged to join state wildlife and transportation personnel in the
2011 Turtle Roadway Mortality Monitoring Program. The information
gathered will be used to coordinate local turtle conservation efforts.

For more information, contact one of the Linking Landscapes project
coordinators:

Timothy Dexter

Environmental Analyst

Highway Division

Massachusetts Department of Transportation

timothy.dexter@state.ma.us

Michael Jones

Postdoctoral Research Associate

USGS Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit

UMass Amherst

mtjones@bio.umass.edu

David Paulson

Endangered Species Review Biologist

Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

david.paulson@state.ma.us

Thank you

Timothy Dexter

Environmental Analyst
MassDOT, Highway Division
10 Park Plaza, Room 4260
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-973-8306

________________________________

From: wftlistserv-owner@lists.ncsu.edu
[mailto:wftlistserv-owner@lists.ncsu.edu] On Behalf Of Shilling, Fraser
Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2010 5:39 PM
To: jane@thebeatnews.org; wftlistserv@lists.ncsu.edu
Subject: Re: [wftlistserv] Roadkill Observation System

Thanks Jane

I have been trying to figure out how to view the data in a
Google Maps or similar interface. Could you give some background and
guideposts for how to use the site?

Thanks

Fraser Shilling

From: Jane Berkshire Environmental Action Team
[mailto:jane@thebeatnews.org]
Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2010 1:57 PM
To: wftlistserv@lists.ncsu.edu
Cc: Shilling, Fraser
Subject: Re: [wftlistserv] Roadkill Observation System

Hi all,

Massachusetts has a roadkill database (actually 3) -
http://linkinglandscapes.info

Jane
--
Jane Winn, Executive Director
413-442-6815 home/office, 413-230-7321 cell,
jane@thebeatnews.org
BERKSHIRE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION TEAM (BEAT)
BEAT, 27 Highland Ave, Pittsfield, MA 01201-2413
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On 9/16/2010 1:28 PM, Shilling, Fraser wrote:

Colleagues

Some of you may have seen the recent article in the NY Times
about our roadkill sites - one for California and one for Maine
(http://www.wildlifecrossing.net). Since then we have received dozens of
requests from other states to either connect citizen scientist observers
to a program in their state, or wanting information on how they could
develop a roadkill observation system. I wanted to put the request out
to people on this list to help me to connect people to a resource in
their state they can use, or people in their state who would be
interested in developing something like this. I realize that there are
existing programs, some of which I have been able to find online.
However, I suspect that there are programs out there that are hard to
find. If you have time and either know of a roadkill reporting program
in your state, or are interested in developing one, please contact me
and I will potentially send some interested parties your way.

Thanks

Fraser Shilling

Fraser Shilling, Ph.D.

Co-Director, Road Ecology Center

Department of Environmental Science & Policy

University of California, Davis 95616

530-752-7859

http://roadecology.ucdavis.edu

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