“Monitoring Madness” has begun!

Do you have a desire to spend more time outside this spring? Do you have a fascination with turtles, amphibians, salamanders, fish or snakes? Do you want to get to know the land you live near a bit better?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, Glacial Lakes Conservancy has the perfect opportunity for you!

At the onset of its field season, GLC has a multitude of chances for you to get your boots on the ground (and maybe wet!) and assist in the collection of vital biodiversity data.

If you’re looking for a chance to know more about water quality, GLC will be conducting its annual monitoring season from May to October. During that time, there will be a visit each month, always on a Saturday morning, to get in the creek with staff and help collect some data and maybe even water critters.

If you are more interested in learning about the biodiversity of species on the preserve, GLC will be conducting aquatic trap monitoring and snake board monitoring.

Aquatic traps will be set at Willow Creek Preserve in Sheboygan and give GLC the chance to assess populations and a variety of critters in its permanent and ephemeral ponded areas. These aquatic trap monitoring sessions will be coming soon in the next month or so, with official dates and times to be determined.

Snake board monitoring will be at both the Willow Creek Preserve and the Spring Preserve in Two Rivers. These monitoring sessions will occur throughout the months of May, June, July and August, with specific dates and times to be determined. During these sessions, volunteers will help staff collect and analyze snakes, jot down data and release critters back into the wild.

If these opportunities sound like fun, but you are looking for something less in the water or dealing with critters, GLC will also be hosting a variety of spring work days on Spring Preserve, Willow Creek Preserve, Hunner Preserve and Grasshopper Hill Preserve. These are all set throughout April and May, and specific dates and times can be found at glaciallakes.org under the “volunteer opportunities” tab.

GLC will also be hosting its third consecutive “Pull-A-Thon.” Although more dates are likely to be added, currently on the roster are May 17 and May 25, both from 9 a.m. to noon.

If any of these volunteer opportunities pique your interest, reach out to Land Director Isabel Mueller at isabel@glaciallakes.org and let her know. She will be able to get people RSVP’d for the dates and times they wish to participate and then send more information and reminders as the events near.

Last week’s column:Wood duck, bluebird and bat house project gets boost from junior builder: Your Manitowoc outdoors report

DNR’s guide to fishing regulations available online

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ 2024-2025 Guide To Wisconsin’s Fishing Regulations is now available online.

These regulations, which include changes to walleye/sauger bag limits on inland waters and new registration rules for small tournaments, will go into effect April 1.

With a few days still to go before these regulations kick in and more than a month until the general inland opener, now is the perfect time for anglers to review the season dates, any special regulations and the daily bag and size limits for their favorite fishing spots around the state. All license requirements apply.

All residents and non-residents older than 16 must have a 2024-2025 general fishing license to fish in Wisconsin. Annual resident licenses cost $20 each, or purchase a spousal license for $31 so you and your spouse can fish together. All fishing licenses and stamps can be purchased online via Go Wild, at a registered sales location or at DNR Service Centers. You can find these general fishing regulations as well as the trout fishing regulations online and at locations where licenses are sold.

Whitetails Unlimited annual banquet set

Whitetails Unlimited will hold its annual banquet April 16 at City Limits Bar & Banquet Hall, 3627 County Road CR, Manitowoc.

Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner will be served at 7 p.m. They will have games, raffles and door prizes.

Cost is $48 per person and $30 for those 15 and younger.

Deadline for purchasing tickets is April 10. Make checks payable to Whitetails Unlimited Inc. and mail them to: Tanner Brey, 2909 38th St., Two Rivers, WI 54241.

More Bob Schuh:Click here for more Scoping the Great Outdoors columns

Woodland Dunes’ next ‘Raising a Wild Child’ event set for April 11

Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve in Two Rivers will present “Raising a Wild Child: Treasure Hunt” from 9 to 10:15 a.m. and from 10:45 a.m. to noon April 11.

Cost is $2 per child for members or $3 per child for non-members.

Experience the wonders of nature with your 2- to 5-year-old through nature hikes, play and guided activities. Help your child notice the natural world and ignite their curiosity!

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Those attending should dress for the weather as a majority of the program takes place outdoors. Registration is required by the Monday before the session and space is limited. To register, email Jess at jessicaj@woodlanddunes.org or call 920-793-4007.

That’s it for this week, so have fun in the great outdoors.