Impervious Surfaces-Brad

Today's human population is on the rise and impervious surfaces are right behind them. An impervious surface is something that is hard that does not allow water to infiltrate into the ground below. They are often man-made surfaces such as driveways, rooftops, or other hard surfaces. Impervious surfaces prevent shorelines from performing their natural functions. They negatively impact the ability of trees and native plants to serve as a food source and shelter for wildlife. Water is unable to soak into the hard ground causing storm water runoff that inundates our lakes and rivers while carrying pollutants with it. Rivers and lakes are both highly impacted by increased numbers of impervious surfaces. There are several important reasons to limit the amount of impervious surfaces, especially when these surfaces are close to a lake, river, or stream.

Often when people are looking for waterfront property, the first thing they think about is how they intend to use the water for their pleasure. Even though everyone may not agree on what the best use is for their water front property, one thing everyone can agree on is that having healthy, clean water where they live is important. Studies show that murky or cloudy water contributes to a decrease in properties values around the body of water. Impervious surfaces contribute to decreased water clarity in two ways. Runoff can cause an increase in soil erosion which causes more soil to be washed away into the lake, making the water cloudy. Additionally, runoff from impervious surfaces can carry up to six times more phosphorous than an undeveloped lot. When this occurs, there is a greater risk for increased algae growth which can lower water quality and decrease overall aesthetic appeal of the water.

                An increase in impervious surfaces potentially leads to a decrease in fish populations. When water runs off these surfaces, nutrients are transferred into the water body causing less oxygen in the water. Sediment also increases with runoff which can increase algae growth, making it difficult for fish to see their prey. Sediment can also have an effect on fish reproduction, falling on top of fish nests, inhibiting their eggs from hatching. When humans remove aquatic vegetation and the construct beaches, there is a large loss of habitat for large and small species of fish. When habitat declines, there are fewer options for food that in turn causes numbers to decline rapidly.

                Impervious surfaces also negatively affect groundwater recharging which can alter water levels. Because water cannot infiltrate the hard surface, it does not recharge the groundwater below, instead quickly running off the surface. This is especially problematic during dry periods when streams rely heavily on ground water recharging to have a consistent flow. During the hottest part of the year, warm runoff water can increase stream temperatures and put stress on fish that require cold water temperatures.   

                Impervious surfaces greatly impact wildlife such as birds that lose valuable nesting areas and protection from predators when humans build in important habitat areas. We can minimize impacts to wildlife by limiting impervious surfaces and restoring wildlife habitat. Waterfowl in particular are impacted by increased runoff that can cause water levels to rise drastically throughout the year. With increases in water level during the nesting season a lot of ducklings have a hard time surviving.

                Humans can mitigate these issues by replacing shorelines with a vegetative buffer thus restoring shorelines to their natural states. By taking care of shoreline plants we can help slow runoff and also provide habitats for wildlife. We can also help the environment by reducing hard surfaces on our property. For instance, sharing a drive way with your neighbor or converting pavement into a more absorbent material. Capturing runoff by using rain barrels or diverting water into a rain garden also decreases the amount running off into lakes and rivers. By minimizing the use of fertilizer and thus nutrients that are washed into the lake by runoff, we can greatly help our waters and the species that depend on them. 

White Nose Syndrome and What it Means for Wisconsin’s Bats by Neva

Last month, I gave a presentation about White Nose Syndrome, a fungal disease plaguing North America’s hibernating bats. It went very well! After the presentation, I took the group out for a walk on our trails and showed them our acoustic bat monitoring equipment.

White Nose Syndrome was discovered in the United States in a cave in New York during the winter of 2006. It is named for the characteristic white coating that is present on an infected bat’s eyes, nose, and wings. The fungus impairs vision and flight, as well as disrupting a bat’s metabolism. It is suspected that the fungal pathogen that causes White Nose Syndrome (WNS) was brought over from Europe by humans. It is likely that it was picked up on the boots of cavers that explored caves in Europe who then explored caves in New York with the same boots on.

However, the fungus does not have detrimental effects on European bat species because the bats have lived in the caves with the fungus for thousands of year and have become immune. Is it possible that North American bats can become immune? Yes, but it could take thousands of years.

The fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, thrives in caves because cave temperatures are less variable than the air temperature- caves are warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. The fungus is spread from bat to bat by physical contact. For this reason, only hibernating bats are susceptible to this disease. In Wisconsin, the bats that are threatened by WNS include the Big Brown Bat, the Little Brown Bat, the Northern Long-eared Bat, and the Tricolored Bat. WNS has been confirmed in Ontonagon, Houghton, and Keweenaw counties of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan last winter, where many of northern Wisconsin’s bats go to hibernate in abandoned copper mine shafts. Many bats fly north to their hibernacula (a place of abode in which a creature seeks refuge) and do not survive the winter, which is why you may have not seen as many bats as usual this year.

The fungus disrupts the physiological processes of the bat during hibernation. A healthy bat must ration its energy supply to survive the winter. If it uses up its reserves too quickly, it will drop in body temperature and die. US Geological Survey found that bats that were infected with WNS used twice as much energy as healthy bats. An infected bat will have a higher body temperature and will burn through its fat (energy) supply more quickly, causing increased arousal from hibernation. When they wake up, they are hungry, and there are no bugs out for them to eat, so they either starve or try to go back into hibernation with a lack of energy. After infection, bats will die within 70-120 days, an amount of time shorter than Wisconsin’s winters.

If bats were to disappear from Wisconsin, the results would be disastrous. Mosquito populations would skyrocket. Did you know that a single Little Brown Bat eats 1000 mosquitos every hour? Agriculture production would decrease, because bats eat many agricultural pests; we would have to use more pesticide and this would create a rise in toxic runoff from farms.

5 million bats have already died in North America. The future is very uncertain for bats. There are solutions in the works, but it will be a race against time to save the bats before it is too late. 

Each Day is a Learning Curve- By Emily

 By: Emily Anna-Naturalist Intern

The thing I love about teaching is that I’m not only teaching, but also learning something new every day.  Each class has taught me a lesson in some form or another; whether it’s deciding to switch from paint to markers when 12 rowdy 4-7 year olds walk in, or coming up with a last minute craft for Camp Jorn an hour before they arrive because I’ve realized my games won’t take up the whole time. I’ve been told that a good educator must be flexible, so that’s something I’ve been working on.

                I won’t say that there aren’t times that I don’t get frustrated.  Trust me, I do!  Sometimes there are ten tiny voices asking me for help at the same time and I get overwhelmed.  But, in the midst of all of the chaos, I always find myself laughing at the little things.  Even when I’m having a tough day and the kids aren’t behaving, there will be that one child who walks beside me and asks to hold my hand; or a student telling fellow student why pollinators are important so we shouldn’t kill bees.  Those are the moments that make being an educator all worth it.  It’s a ton of work and preparation for a couple of hours of class, but I always know my work is not in vain.  I’m inspiring these kids to care about the natural world!  What job is more rewarding than that?

  Even on the tough days, there is always some quirky or inspiring moment that keeps me pushing through.  I’ll share a few of the highlights with you:

_________________________________________________________________________________

“How old are you?” –Ashley 

“I’m 22.” –Me

“Oh.  You look like you’re 13, but only because of your height.” –Ashley

_________________________________________________________________________________

“I like your headband” –Camp Jorn participant

“Why, thank you.” –Me

“I also really like your voice” –Camp Jorn participant

_________________________________________________________________________________

“Connor asked if he could sleep in today and I told him no, it’s Discovery Center day.  Oh my favorite day of the week, he said!” –Audrey, mother of participant

_________________________________________________________________________________

“I love coming here.  I always learn something new!” –Ruth, mother and volunteer

_________________________________________________________________________________

“Miss Emily, check out our new pet slugs!” –Emma and Emiliano, as they open their containers to show me their new friends

_________________________________________________________________________________

“The grand kids said they were a little disappointed at first when it wasn’t Licia, but they love Emily!  They just raved about how much fun you were.” –Steve, board member

So, even the bad days really are good days.  I feel so blessed to have figured out my passion so early in life.  I look forward to growing as an educator and continuing to learn.  I will continue to embrace the bad days because those are the ones that really teach you and push you to grow.  I will leave you with this final thought:

"You can teach a student a lesson for the day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives." Clay P. Bedford

WATER’S MUSCLES: MUSSELS? By Maggie

WATER’S MUSCLES: MUSSELS?

Native mussels are the muscle of freshwater. The more of them you have, the greater the water body health is. Similarly to muscles’ dual roles as support and movement of the body, mussels fill specific roles and provide unique environmental services. Quite impressive for such a small creature!

FOOD WEB

Mussels are thoroughly ingrained in the food web of Wisconsin water bodies. These invertebrates are effective at filtering bacteria and plankton out of the water. They can then convert the nutrients into forms accessible to higher trophic levels.

COMMENSAL RELATIONSHIPS

Some species of mussel are also indubitably paired with certain fish species; reproduction for all mussels involves the young mussels, called glochidia, attaching to the fleshy parts of fish. Mother mussels have developed species-specific lures in order to attract the correct type of fish. For example, the Higgins’ eye mussel has developed a minnow-look-alike lure in order to attract bass and walleye. Once attached, the glochidia will grow and develop without harming the fish (commensalism).

QUALITY MONITORS

Like all living creatures, mussels require certain parameters in order to successfully live. Common across all species is the quality of water. The sensitive nature of mussels means they require habitats with pristine water in order to thrive. A large population of one or multiple species represents a high quality of water. Also, depending on the mussel species present and their requirements, information about the substrate and fish species in the water system can be gleaned.

HISTORY-KEEPERS

Individual mussels can be examined for better understanding of lake history. Mussels will grow rings on their shell during each year of life. Certain characteristics of the shell will also reveal hints about the water quality during that time. Being able to read these details will broaden the understanding of past lake history and dynamics.

POTENTIAL HARM

Unfortunately, since the conditions necessary for happy mussels are exceptionally pristine, anything that reduces the quality of water will negatively affect mussel populations. Some common sources of harm include pollution, invasive species, over harvesting, abundant silt and habitat change:

-Industries on moving water bodies will discharge some level of pollutant. Abundance and concentration will determine the extent of its impact on the overall water quality.

-Zebra mussels and other exotic species can out compete the natives since there are no natural predators and they can grow exponentially.

-Over harvesting has occurred in recent history with the growing interest of pearls for fashion purposes.

-Disturbance on the habitat can result in siltation, or excess fine soil being put into the system. A build up of silt can reduce the respiration capability of mussels.

-Dramatic habitat changes tend to be due to human intervention. Dams in particular cause flowing water to stagnate, which reduces the exposure of mussels to nutrients.

Due to such a wide range of harm, half of Wisconsin’s fifty-one mussel species are listed as threatened or endangered. Nature is extraordinary in the fact that it can undergo change to a certain extent without unraveling. We, as neighbors, need to understand how our actions impact the system and actively promote water body health. Water cannot afford to lose its muscles! 

* On August 25th, we have a new program: Native Mussel on the Manitowsih River Canoe Adventure! You can sign up now: https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/nldc/event.jsp?event=36173& * 

Submerged trees in your Waters!- By Brad

Whenever you come across a tree that has fallen into the water, do you think that the tree no longer serves a purpose or that it should be taken out of the water? This is where people are often times mistaken, myself included. For centuries human beings have altered our landscapes through the removal of trees to build the homes and buildings that we see today. By taking down trees around lakes and removing those that have fallen in the water, the habitats and communities are also removed. The natural growing cycle is stopped by the removal of trees, with seedlings prevented from reaching the ground after falling from both submerged and standing trees. However, thoroughly educating people about why these trees are so important may change the way that they think about their property, saving trees on land and in the water.  

Educating people about the importance of trees along lakes is vital because even though trees that have fallen into the water have ended their life on land, they have begun a "second life" submerged in water. What this means is that a tree once again plays a significant part in nature. Something that is often times over looked is that for a roughly about a season after the tree has fallen into the water it will still contain its leaves, offering the highest habitat complexity for underwater species. These trees are also home to a large variety of fish such as largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleyes, bluegills, northern pike, and even musky.

Submerged trees have multiple purposes for a wide variety of fish. For example largemouth and smallmouth bass prefer to build their nests near logs or submerged branches because it helps protect their eggs from predators by giving the fish less of a perimeter to cover in protecting its young from lurking predators. When fish hatch they often live within the branches. If there are no trees for them to hide in, some fish populations may decline dramatically. Large predators such as musky or northern pike use submerged tress to ambush their prey as it swims by. Also those species of fish such as walleyes who prefer low light conditions use the shade provided by tree branches to ambush prey during the day.

The relationship between submerged trees and fish is influenced by the orientation of the tree in the water. More numbers of fish use trees that have more branches and are larger than those that do not. This is because fish have more places to hide and feel more protected from predators. But smaller trees that are bunched together can hold as many fish if not more than larger trees that have fallen into the water. Also trees that are located near plant beds create more complex habitats that fish can thrive in.

For those lakes that have a low abundance of trees along their shorelines or in the water, other man-made structures know as fish cribs can be placed in the water. Fish cribs are a Lincoln-log type box design that is often times weighed down by rocks or cement and is used to hold fish for habitat management. Even though this idea sounds great, human made structures do not always replace natural structures for fish. The best solution for keeping trees in the water along shorelines, is to inform the public about their significance to both the environment and life below the water. So the next time you see a tree next to the shore about to fall over or one that is already in the water, think about how much aquatic life it is supporting and will support for years to come!

Meet the Monarchs Butterflies by Kurt

Pollinators are an indispensable part of the world's ecosystem. They carry pollen from one plant to another, helping them to reproduce. 75% of the world's flowering plants and 75% of our crops rely on pollinators like bats, bees, beetles, and butterflies. Without pollinators, foods such as blueberries, cherries, apples, almonds, coffee, and chocolate would disappear!

One of the most charismatic and unusual pollinator is the monarch butterfly. The caterpillars are recognizable for their yellow, black, and white striped body and the adults for their vibrant orange wings. Monarchs are peculiar in that they rely solely milkweed plants: it is the only plant they lay eggs on and the only plant they feed upon as caterpillars.

We've raised monarchs for the past 20 days or so. They started out as minuscule eggs on milkweed leaves. After hatching, they ate and grew rapidly. Between 10 to 15 days they increased their size and weight almost 3,000 times! Most of them have entered the chrysalis stage of their development. In another 10 days or so, adult monarchs will emerge into the world. 

When fall comes around, our monarchs will undergo one of the greatest migrations on earth. Hundreds of millions of butterflies will swarm over the country in a smoky ochre-hued cloud to descend upon high-elevation fir forests in central Mexico and the sunny coasts of central and southern California. The migrations require the butterflies, weighing not much more than a paperclip, to cover distances between one and two thousand miles. To accomplish this, monarchs need to cover between 25 to 30 miles a day!

Unfortunately, the monarch population has dropped by 90% since 1980, when populations first started to be monitored. This drop in population can be attributed to several different factors. The first and most important factor is the overall loss of milkweed throughout the United States. Milkweed is lost for a variety of reasons: herbicide use, increasing urbanization in milkweed growing areas, widespread industrialized farms, and drought conditions in many parts of the western U.S. Illegal logging in Mexico has also resulted in habitat loss in the monarch's overwintering grounds.

People throughout the United States can take small yet significant steps to help. The first is to plant milkweed. There are over 100 native milkweed plants, many of which are used as food for monarchs. Individuals can also plant pollinator-friendly plants, like butterfly weed, zinnia, and sunflowers. Monarchs need the nectar for energy to breed, to complete their migration, and to build energy reserves for the long winter. People should avoid using pesticides as well. The general pollinator population is plunging, but with a little awareness and some small actions we can collectively make a huge impact.  

  

For the Love of Biking, Hiking and More! By Neva

So many trails!

I have always enjoyed biking, running, and hiking. I love to find new bike routes and new trails. Having the opportunity to live at the North Lakeland Discovery Center, I have been gifted with so many trails to explore! I have set a personal goal for the summer to get out on a trail once a day. Here are some of the highlights so far!

When I was hired here at the Discovery Center, I received lots of information in the mail about the area. When I opened the brochure for WinMan Trails, I thought “Why haven’t I been here?” That afternoon, my friend and I made the drive down. We were mind-blown! WinMan Trails are super! I have been back many times since. Whether you are a novice or an expert mountain biker, there is something for everyone. There are all kinds of challenges for riders, like the bridge on the right.

 This bridge drops off onto a large rock. On the Bridge Trail, a highlight is definitely the bridge below, featuring rollers and embankments.

 I really enjoy biking on the paved trail from Manitowish Waters to Boulder Junction. It goes right by the Discovery Center, so I just hop on and go! It parallels highway K, but it’s perfectly placed in the pines.  This trail is a great place to run as well.

Another great spot to hike, run, or bike is the Van Vliet Hemlocks State Natural Area. The old-growth hardwood hemlock forest blew me away, and I was fascinated by the fact that a couple hundred years ago, this is what most of Wisconsin had looked like. The forest is very dense, so it is extremely mosquito-ridden, but well worth it.

Last but not least, it’s wonderful to be able to walk right out my cabin door onto a trail here at the Discovery Center.  We have 12 miles of trails here, including a bog boardwalk.  The trails go through uplands and lowlands, and the Big River trail parallels the Manitowish River.

Happy trails!