Showcasing Conservation Programs
These are the things our dogs are trained to smell! We're proud to brag that their highly-capable wet noses have assisted in a variety of incredible conservation programs over the years.
BUMBLE BEE NESTS
Multiple species of Bombus
Program Goals: Locate bumble bee nests to assist researchers studying habitat preferences and colony behavior
Assigned Canine Finders: Ernie & Betty White
Program Partners: Carroll University, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Olbrich Botanical Garden, and more
Program Activity: 2020-2026
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
Assigned Canine Finders: Ernie, Betty White, Skye & Summit
Program Partners: Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Lake County Forest Preserves
Program Activity: 2024-2025
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
Assigned Canine Finders: Ernie & Betty White
Program Partners: Forest Preserve District of Will County. Past partners: Forest Preserves of Winnebago County, Polk County Conservation Board, Drake University
Program Activity: 2025-2026; 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
Assigned Canine Finder: Ernie
Program Partners: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Zoo, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Program Activity: 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
Assigned Canine Finders: Ernie, Betty White, Alva, Harriet & Lily
Program Partners: River Alliance of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Program Activity: 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!)
Assigned Canine Finder: Ernie
Program Partners: Wisconsin Dept of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Program Activity: 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
Assigned Canine Finder: Ernie
Program Partner: Mequon Nature Preserve
Program Activity: 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
Assigned Canine Finder: Ernie
Program Partner: Mequon Nature Preserve
Program Activity: 2017-2018