Surface water levels were low: the pools at Hemlock Bluffs were dry or too shallow to take water quality measurements, but we did have standing water in our forested wetland at Mason Farm.
June 2024 Monitoring: Reflections from a new volunteer
chase.bergeson • June 17, 2024
We got to enjoy some beautiful weather for our June monitoring. We once again monitored water quality, hydrology, and surveyed for amphibians. Thank you to all who joined us this month!
We participated in the Society for Ecological Restoration’s Make a Difference Week and picked up litter from our sites as we monitored. This wasn’t out of the ordinary for us, as we always pick up trash when we go. Our wonderful volunteers like to leave our sites cleaner than when they found them. Luckily, thanks to great management, most of our sites tend not to be pretty clean from the start.
Although we saw fewer amphibians than in our previous monitoring sessions we did see a number of adult frogs and salamanders. You can view our observation on our
iNaturalist page.
Fashion Magazine
green frog
Although we had mostly returning volunteers this month, we were fortunate to have some great new volunteers as well, including both of Carolina Wetlands Association’s summer interns, who attended all of our monitoring sessions! As a special monitoring summary, one of our interns describes what it was like to be a new volunteer, below.
Reflections from a new volunteer
by Erin Mansfield
I'm Erin Mansfield, a student in Environmental Science at NC State and a summer intern for Carolina Wetlands Association. This was my first time volunteering with VWMP, and I was lucky enough to go to all three monitoring sites. While it's hard to pick, I would say that Robertson Millpond was my favorite of the three sites: it was my first time out monitoring, and I thought the bald cypress trees were beautiful (even if their knees tripped me a few times). Being my first time out, I learned a lot about how the monitoring process works, and the specific steps to accurately collect our data. I also learned how wonderful all the volunteers and PIs are! It was a friendly atmosphere, especially with how I was a bit nervous as a newcomer. One of my favorite things about working in the environmental field is the supportive community I often find.
My favorite part of the monitoring itself was testing the water levels in the wells. I enjoyed the mystery of when the dip meter would finally start beeping at you to tell you you've reached the water table, as well as debating with my fellow volunteers the correct hundredth-foot measurements to record. I'm a very data-oriented person, so I liked being able to record real, concrete numbers in the field and think about what they mean in the context of the wetland itself. I'm curious to see how the water level changes throughout each season. As long as I'm in the region, I'll definitely come back for future events: it'll be interesting to experience monitoring as someone used to the sites and procedures instead of as a newcomer.
Calling all plant lovers!
In September, we will be heading out to our monitoring sites once again for our annual vegetation surveys and to look out for invasive, non-native plants. We’d love to have participation from anyone interested or skilled in wetland plants, even if it’s your first time monitoring. Please let me know if you want to join!
It’s also a good time to start reviewing some of the common plants we see, by checking out some of the resources below and staying tuned for more upcoming Plant of the Month blogs. We look forward to seeing you in the wetlands!
Our previous plant observations
Previous plant of the month blogs
Common Guide to Wetland Plants
Identification of Common Trees of North Carolina
NC Native Plant Society Non-native Invasive list
NCDOT Invasive Exotic Plant Guide
A field guide for the identification of invasive plants in southern forests
Mistaken Identity? Invasive plants and their native look alikes
You might also like
Celebrating Our Carolina Wetlands
Hello Wetland Supporters, I hope everyone had a wonderful American Wetlands Month in May and found an opportunity to get outside and explore a wetland. We enjoyed fantastic paddling events at Robertson Millpond Preserve and Lake Mayo, where participants experienced the beauty and importance of these unique ecosystems firsthand. Wetlands have also been in the news recently as the impacts of recent Supreme Court decisions on wetland protections continue to be evaluated. Two recent articles highlight what is at stake: Lisa Sorg in Inside Climate News, Supreme Court’s Limitation on Wetlands Protection Will Make Flooding Worse Jesse Gourevitch and Adam Gold, New Research Shows What’s at Stake When Wetlands Disappea r The central message of both articles is clear: the loss of wetlands leads to increased flooding and rising economic costs for communities. Research cited by Gourevitch and Gold found that wetland loss across the United States has increased residential flood insurance claim payments by an estimated $10.1 billion since 1985 — approximately 9% of all insured riverine flood losses nationwide. The authors also emphasize that policymakers must better recognize the economic value wetlands provide in reducing flood damage to homes and communities. According to the research, the flood-mitigation value of currently unprotected wetlands is estimated at $177 billion nationwide , with North Carolina accounting for approximately $4.6 billion of those benefits . This research reinforces what the Carolina Wetlands Association has long understood: healthy wetlands are essential infrastructure for resilient communities. Through support from the NC Land and Water Fund, Carolina Wetlands Association have received three grants to partner with vulnerable communities to assess flooding concerns and develop restoration plans that incorporate community input, scientific data collection, and hydrologic modeling to identify the most effective wetland restoration strategies. We are also excited to share that we recently received a fourth NC Land and Water Fund grant to begin our first restoration project at Stony Run in Harnett County. Stony Run Walkable Watershed Lumbee Cultural Center Wetland Restoration By working alongside communities and restoring wetland resources, we are helping reduce potential flood damage while also providing additional benefits such as improved water quality, recreation opportunities, shoreline stabilization, environmental education, and greater community resilience. So, the next time you explore a wetland, remember that healthy wetlands mean healthy communities — and your support plays an important role in protecting these valuable ecosystems. Wetlands truly do matter. Best, Rick Savage Executive Director
Wetland supporters enjoyed two memorable May paddling events, exploring North Carolina’s beautiful wetlands while spotting wildlife and learning from local experts.
May is American Wetlands Month - yes, an entire month to celebrate these ecologically diverse and economically important ecosystems. Wetlands account for 14% of the land area in North Carolina and almost 20% of South Carolina!