Eye on Nature

Eye On Nature– Field Investigations at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge: Gaining a better understanding of wildlife at NNWR with the help of student

NatureMapping and Fostering Outdoor Observation Skills activities.

Photo courtesy of Ellen Banner

The Nisqually Delta started forming about 15,000 years ago.

The Nisqually Indians were the first people to live in the area.

The Nisqually people were first known as “Squally-absch”, meaning “people of the river, people of the grass”.

Americans later changed the spelling to Nisqually.

Medicine Creek Treaty Tree

Before and after the December 15, 2006 wind storm

Early  1900s  

The Brown Farm – early 1900’s

Many plans were proposed for the delta, including a landfill and  a  deep  water  port.  

Luckily, there were conservationists and activists who worked with state and federal officials to protect the Delta from development.

In 1974, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to be managed as part of the

National Wildlife Refuge System.

Saltwater

Freshwater

Dike

Nisqually Estuary – before restoration

Nisqually Estuary Restoration

Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Restoration Summer 2012

Wildlife that depend on NNWR

Founded in 1992 to:

18

•  Map and measure biodiversity with the help of schools and general public. “What do you see and where do you see it?”

•  Integrate NatureMapping into schools so they become long-term wildlife monitors

•  Help communities develop their biodiversity “report cards”

How does Nature Mapping help?

A measure of biodiversity found at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge!

We can then ask questions such as:

• Are there any changes in the types of wildlife we are seeing?

• Are we seeing wildlife not typical to this area?

• Have migration patterns been altered by climate change?

Invasive species Reed Canary Grass

Himalayan Blackberry

Scotts broom

Barred Owls

Data Collection Form Nature  Mapping  Nisqually     Group  #   Habitat  codes:    Name   510   Estuary  

Loca?on   515   Riparian  Forest  ?dal    

Date   525   Riparian  Forest    

Weather   520   Freshwater  wetland  

How  Obs.   H=  Hear,  S=See,  E=Evidence   415    River  

Time   Species  Name  

How    Observed  

How  Many  

Loca?on  Block  

Habitat  Code   Notes:  Behavior  informa?on  

5 Major Habitat Types

#1- Freshwater Wetlands

5 Major Habitat Types

#2- River

5 Major Habitat Types #3- Riparian Forest

5 Major Habitat Types #4- Tidally Influenced Riparian Forest

5 Major Habitat Types #5- Estuary

Most Common Species

Most Common Species Song Sparrow

Common Merganser

Cedar Wax Wing

Wood Duck

Mallard

American Crow Red Winged Blackbird

Canada Goose

American Robin

What to expect when you visit…

•  Dress for the weather!

• Please make sure to turn your NatureMapping data in to your teacher.

Remember, the best way to see wildlife is to be very quiet and to be very observant!

What to expect when you visit…

Celebrate your connection with your watershed! Post your “River Selfies” to the

Nisqually River Education Project on Twitter and Facebook, and we’ll repost our favorites each week!

Search “Nisqually

River Education Project”

on FaceBook, and

“Nisqually River Council”

on Twitter.