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Showcasing Conservation Programs
This is the stuff that our dogs smell! We're proud to brag that their highly-capable wet noses have assisted in a variety of incredible conservation programs over the years. They're always ready to smell new stuff (target odors), so if you're wondering, "Can the dogs locate _______ by scent?," please reach out to talk about the remarkable power of our Canine Finders' noses.
BUMBLE BEE NESTS
Multiple species of Bombus
Program Goals: Locate bumble bee nests to assist researchers studying habitat preferences and colony behavior, and ideally locate the federally-endangered Rusty Patched bumble bee
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Assigned Canine Finders: Ernie & Betty White
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Program Status: Active (2020-current)
Photo courtesy of Mike Nessman
BLANDING'S TURTLE
Emydoidea blandingii
Program Goals: Assist program partner in locating breeding females to assist with captive rearing of hatchlings.
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Assigned Canine Finders: Ernie, Betty White, Skye & Summit
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Program Partners: Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
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Program Status: Active (2024-current)
Photo courtesy of www.dupageforest.org
ORNATE BOX TURTLE
Terrapene ornata
Program Goals: Assist program partners in monitoring wild population of turtles within land areas of interest
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Assigned Canine Finders: Ernie & Betty White
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Program Partners: Current partner: Forest Preserves of Winnebago County; Past partners: Polk County Conservation Board, Drake University
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Program Status: Active (2025; 2022)
Photos by www.iowaherps.com and Jim Riggs
WOOD TURTLE
Glyptemys insculpta
Program Goals: Utilize Finder-Keeper teams to assist with turtle monitoring efforts
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Assigned Canine Finder: Ernie​
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Program Partners: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Zoo, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
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Program Status: Complete (2019)
Photos © Conservation Dogs Collective
NEW ZEALAND MUDSNAIL
Potamopyrgus antipodarum
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Program Goals: Determine the best use of dogs for early detection efforts of New Zealand mudsnail
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Assigned Canine Finders: Ernie, Betty White​, Alva, Harriet & Lily
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Program Partners: River Alliance of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
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Program Status: Complete (2020-2024)​
Photo courtesy of Wisconsin DNR
GYPSY MOTH
Lymantria dispar dispar
Program Goals: Pilot study to determine efficacy of dogs detecting egg masses (they can!)
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Assigned Canine Finder: Ernie
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Program Partners: Wisconsin Dept of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
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Program Status: Complete (2018)
WILD PARSNIP ROSETTES
Pastinaca sativa
Program Goals: Locate rosettes in early spring to assist with early detection and eradication efforts on the Mequon Nature Preserve property
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Assigned Canine Finder: Ernie
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Program Partner: Mequon Nature Preserve
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Program Status: Complete (2017-2018)
BLUE-SPOTTED SALAMANDERS
Ambystoma laterale
Program Goals: Utilize Finder-Keeper teams to assist with reintroduction of salamanders on the Mequon Nature Preserve property
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Assigned Canine Finder: Ernie
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Program Partner: Mequon Nature Preserve
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Program Status: Complete (2017-2018)
Can our dogs help with your project?
We’re happy to discuss the PAWsabilities with you today.