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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.

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BUMBLE BEE NESTS
Multiple species of Bombus

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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

Assigned Canine Finders:

Ernie, Betty White​, Bronty, Willow, Holly, Jesse, Alva, and Harriet

Program Partners:

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Carroll University, Lynden Sculpture Garden, USDA, USFWS, Ohio State University, Illinois State University, Wolf Park

2023-25 Program Supporters:

James E. Dutton Foundation

Photos courtesy of Mike Nessman & Mary Mowbray

Image by Olivia Hutcherson

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

Program Partners:

River Alliance of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

2023-25 Program Supporters:

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Photo courtesy of Wisconsin DNR

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ORNATE BOX TURTLE
Terrapene ornata ornata

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Program Goals:

Assist program partners in monitoring wild population of turtles within land areas of interest

Assigned Canine Finder:

Willow

Program Partners:

Polk County Conservation Board, Drake University

Photos courtesy of www.iowaherps.com

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Support our Finders' noses for $5

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VIRGINIA SNEEZEWEED
Helenium virginicum

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Program Goals:

Assist botanists and land managers to locate the population in the state of Indiana, where it is a state-threatened species

Assigned Canine Finder:

Willow

Program Partners:

Indiana Department of Natural Resources

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WOOD TURTLE
Glyptemys insculpta

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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

Photos © Conservation Dogs Collective

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EASTERN BOX TURTLE
Terrapene carolina carolina

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Program Goals:

Located eastern box turtles to assist researchers with monitoring efforts

Assigned Canine Finder:

Willow

Program Partners:

ECOlab

Photos © Bethany (Avilla) Richendollar

Image by Meredith Petrick

BIRD & BAT CARCASSES
Multiple species

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Program Goals:

Utilize Finder-Keeper teams to locate bird and bat carcasses at wind farms

Assigned Canine Finders:

Willow & Jesse

Program Partners:

West Inc.

Green Forest

GYPSY MOTH
Lymantria dispar dispar

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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

Image by Kyle Hinkson

WILD PARSNIP ROSETTES
Pastinaca sativa

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Program Goals:

Locate rosettes in early spring to assist with early detection and eradication efforts

Assigned Canine Finder:

Ernie

Program Partners:

Mequon Nature Preserve

Photo courtesy of Hannah Stonehouse Hudson

Image by Julia Spina

BLUE-SPOTTED SALAMANDERS
Ambystoma laterale

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Program Goals:

Utilize Finder-Keeper teams to assist with reintroduction of salamanders on the Mequon Nature Preserve property

Assigned Canine Finder:

Ernie

Program Partners:

Mequon Nature Preserve

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Can our dogs help with your project?

CONTACT US!

We’re happy to discuss the PAWsabilities with you today.

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