Environmental Monitoring

In addition to continuing educational trainings, Kettunen Center program staff members participate in the following volunteer environmental monitoring programs (Citizen Scientists) to support a sustainable and healthy natural environment.

During the months of May through September the water quality of Center Lake is monitored by following specific procedures established by the Department of Environmental Quality for collecting water samples and monitoring measures. The tests include: spring & fall season phosphorus levels, water clarity and exotic aquatic plant watch. The water samples and monitoring data are submitted to a database managed by a partnership between the Michigan Lakes & Streams Association and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

During the months of April, May and June Michigan frogs and toads present in nearby wetlands are identified by listening to their breeding season call or song, and abundance of the species is estimated. The results of the survey are submitted to a data base managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

 

Monarch butterflies are tagged and released in August and September to learn more about their fall migration. Sponsored by the University of Kansas, the research data and details can be found at www.monarchwatch.org.

 

During the winter months of November through April weekly observations of birds are completed to gather data of how many and what type of bird species visit the Kettunen Center bird feeding stations. The data is submitted to an online data base managed by Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Studies Canada.