[at-l] Fw: Predator monitoring on A.T.

[Carla & Dave Hicks]

FYI

Chainsaw

----- Original Message ----- 

>Subject: Predator monitoring on A.T.
>Date:   Fri, 5 Jan 2007 11:04:00 -0500
>Thread-Topic: Predator monitoring on A.T.
>Thread-Index: Accw27AMH+7U0OX/SK6Fxzd69BIRiAAB1lmQ
>From:   "Laura Belleville" <lbelleville at appalachiantrail.org>
>To:    SNIP
>X-VTmath-MailScanner: CLEAN, no viruses detected
>X-VTmath-MailScanner-From: lbelleville at appalachiantrail.org
>X-Orcpt: rfc822;parrycj at math.vt.edu
>
>All,
>
>Bill McShea with the Smithsonian Institute attended the A.T. 
>Megatransect meeting last November. At the meeting he proposed to 
>conduct a pilot predator survey along the A.T. in VA, WV, and MD  If 
>the pilot phase works out, he's interested in expanding the scope to 
>other sections of the A.T. Below is a brief description of the 
>project. Bill is currently working with his students to identify 
>where the sampling sites will be in the region he is surveying. If 
>you or anyone you know is interested in participating, or learning 
>more about the project - please feel free to contact me. I expect to 
>have more information in the next couple of weeks.  Please pass this 
>information along to other club members and potential new volunteers.
>
>Surveying predator populations along the AT
>
>A cooperative effort between Appalachian Trail Conservancy, National 
>Park Service, US Forest Service, and Smithsonian Institution is 
>developing a protocol for monitoring predator species along the AT. 
>The pilot study will happen April-November 2007 along the AT in 
>Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland.  The survey will use 
>infra-red trip-cameras to photograph wildlife species at specific 
>points along the trail. It will rely on citizen groups to adopt 
>sections of the trail and agree to move cameras from point to point 
>on a monthly basis. The cooperative will supply the cameras, 
>supplies, and training. The cameras are digital so the pictures will 
>be shared between the volunteers, the organizations, and the 
>scientists. If you ever wanted to know if your favorite section of 
>trail has black bears or bobcats (or even the mythical mountain 
>lion) this is your chance. The agreement will be with groups, not 
>individuals, and groups will be allocated enough cameras and 
>supplies to complete their adopted section. We hope to have all 
>sections adopted by late February with training conducted in March. 
>Don't pass up this chance to make a real contribution to the AT 
>monitoring program and obtain some photos of elusive species that 
>inhabit the AT.
>
>
>Laura Belleville
>Regional Director
>Southwest and Central Virginia Office
>P.O. Box 174
>Blacksburg, VA 24063
>Direct line: (540) 953-3564
>ATC Office: (540) 953-3571
>
>The <http://www.appalachiantrail.org/>Appalachian Trail Conservancy 
>is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the 
>conservation of the 2,175-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail, a 
>250,000-acre greenway extending from Maine to Georgia. Our mission 
>is to ensure that future generations will enjoy the clean air and 
>water, scenic vistas, wildlife and opportunities for recreation and 
>renewal along the entire Trail corridor. To become a member, call 
>304.535.6331, ext. 119, or visit our Web site at 
>www.appalachiantrail.org. There, you will also find volunteer 
>opportunities and general hiking information.
>
>