2025 Projects & Programs
We are looking for eager community volunteers to help monitor conservation efforts at the Center! Below is our list of 2025 Citizen Science projects. See how you can participate in monitoring in the field, data collection, and data entry. Whether you are a curious lover of the outdoors or a scientist by trade – there is something for everyone! Projects involve regular data collection throughout a season, while Public Programs are a singular family or adult program with a Citizen Science component. Upcoming Citizen Science trainings and programs can be found on our calendar using the “Citizen Science” filter.
If you are interested in a particular project or program, please reach out to the staff contact or our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@schlitzaudubon.org.
Cavity-Nesting Songbird Monitoring
Volunteers monitor nine boxes weekly to track Eastern Bluebird and competing cavity-nesting species, including Tree Swallows.
Activities Involved: Hiking, data entry
When: April – August
Volunteer Commitment: Must commit to a weekly shift all summer
Volunteer Qualifications: Experienced volunteers accepted, great opportunity for Wisconsin Master Naturalists
Volunteer Age Requirements: Adult
Staff Contact: Amanda Ohly | aohly@schlitzaudubon.org
Daily Bird Sightings
Bird species seen daily by birders are recorded* on the bird board located in the Great Hall. Volunteers load this data into the national eBird database monthly.
Activities Involved: Hiking
When: Daily, all year
Volunteer Commitment: Participate whenever you bird at Schlitz Audubon!
*Please email Drew Shuster with rare sightings.
Volunteer Qualifications: All levels welcome
Volunteer Age Requirements: 14 and older
Staff Contact: Drew Shuster | dshuster@schlitzaudubon.org
Project Feeder Watch
Volunteers watch feeders from inside our Great Hall. Our observations, submitted to Cornell University, help us understand the distribution and abundance of feeder birds over time.
Activities Involved: Birdwatching in Great Hall, data entry
When: Year-round
Volunteer Commitment: Volunteers welcome any time
Volunteer Qualifications: All levels welcome
Volunteer Age Requirements: Adult
Staff Contact: Laine Cotteleer | lcotteleer@schlitzaudubon.org
Bumble Bee Monitoring
Help researchers learn more about our bumble bee populations: which species are on our property and where to find them. Participate in the Wisconsin Bumble Bee Brigade with Schlitz Audubon.
Activities Involved: Hiking
When: June – September
Volunteer Commitment: Must commit to a weekly shift all summer
Volunteer Qualifications: Expert–level volunteers needed
Volunteer Age Requirements: Adult
Staff Contact: Drew Shuster | dshuster@schlitzaudubon.org
Monarch Larval Monitoring
Larval stage monarchs depend on milkweed. Small teams of monitors look specifically at milkweed abundance, milkweed diversity, monarch larval density, and monarch survival rates at the Center. Data is entered into a national database to increase knowledge of monarch lifecycles in the wild, as well as milkweed diversity and abundance.
Activities Involved: Hiking, data entry
When: Weekly, late May – late August
Volunteer Commitment: Volunteers welcome any time
Volunteer Qualifications: All levels welcome to participate
Volunteer Age Requirements: Adult
Staff Contact: Amanda Ohly | aohly@schlitzaudubon.org
Snapshot wisconsin
Volunteers classify photos from our trail camera. We send the resulting data to the Wisconsin DNR, which hosts Snapshot Wisconsin and uses trail cam photos to help inform wildlife management practices.
Activities Involved: Data entry, animal identification
When: Year round
Volunteer Commitment: Monthly commitment
Volunteer Qualifications: Limited opportunities available
Volunteer Age Requirements: 16 and older
Staff Contact: Alison Schrad | aschrad@schlitzaudubon.org
Bat Monitoring
Volunteers can assist staff by tracking bat activity with Eco Meters. Data is entered into a national database to increase knowledge of bat species and populations.
Activities Involved: Hiking at night
When: June, July
Volunteer Commitment: To be determined
Volunteer Qualifications: Expert level volunteers accepted, good opportunity for Wisconsin Master Naturalists
Volunteer Age Requirements: Adult
Staff Contact: Cassie Rincon | crincon@schlitzaudubon.org
Frogwatch USA
With FrogWatch USA, monitor frog calls during the breeding season to determine the size and distribution of populations.
Activities Involved: Hiking at night, data entry
When: Monthly (weather permitting), June through August
Volunteer Commitment: Sign up as needed
Volunteer Qualifications: Expert level volunteers accepted, good opportunity for Wisconsin Master Naturalists
Volunteer Age Requirements: Adult
Staff Contact: Amanda Ohly | aohly@schlitzaudubon.org
TURTLE MONITORING
Volunteers track the abundance and locations of turtle species at the Center by counting turtles basking in the spring sun at four ponds.
Activities Involved: Hiking
When: Weekly, April and May
Volunteer Commitment: Volunteers welcome any time
Volunteer Qualifications: Must be able to ID painted, snapping, and Blanding’s turtles
Volunteer Age Requirements: Adult
Staff Contact: Amanda Ohly | aohly@schlitzaudubon.org
Wetland Monitoring
Through funnel trap, scoop sample, and visual encounter egg mass surveys, help determine when and if amphibian and macroinvertebrate species are utilizing the ponds on our property, and whether they are breeding
Activities Involved: Hiking, wading in ponds, data entry
When: March – April
Volunteer Commitment: Must commit to three nonconsecutive weeks of daily trap setting
Volunteer Qualifications: Expert level volunteers accepted, good opportunity for Wisconsin Master Naturalists
Volunteer Age Requirements: Adult
Staff Contact: Amanda Ohly | aohly@schlitzaudubon.org
Tree Inventory
Inventory and map mature trees at the Center by species with the use of a sub-meter GPS unit and an application called ArcCollector.
Activities Involved Hiking, Data entry
When: Year-round
Volunteer Commitment: Volunteers regularly meet Wednesdays 9:00am – 12:00pm and occasionally on weekends. An initial two-hour training is needed to go over maps and methods.
Volunteer Qualifications: Strong tree identification and organization skills are required
Volunteer Age Requirements: 16 and older
Staff Contact: Drew Shuster | dshuster@schlitzaudubon.org