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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

Program Partners: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Carroll University, Lynden Sculpture Garden, USDA, USFWS, Ohio State University, Illinois State University, DuPage County Forest Preserve District, Lake County Forest Preserves

Program Status: Active (2020-current)

Photo courtesy of Mike Nessman

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BLANDING'S TURTLE
Emydoidea blandingii

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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

Program Status: Active (2024-current)

Photo courtesy of www.dupageforest.org

River Rapids

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 Status: Complete (2020-2024)

Photo courtesy of Wisconsin DNR

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Learn more about the noses working hard for nature!

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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 (deceased)

Program Partners: Polk County Conservation Board, Drake University

Program Status: Complete (2022)

Photos by www.iowaherps.com and Jim Riggs

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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

Program Status: Complete (2019)

Photos © Conservation Dogs Collective

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

Program Status: Complete (2018)

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 on the Mequon Nature Preserve property

Assigned Canine Finder: Ernie

Program Partner: Mequon Nature Preserve

Program Status: Complete (2017-2018)

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 Partner: Mequon Nature Preserve

Program Status: Complete (2017-2018)

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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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