Eye on Nature
Eye On Nature– Field Investigations at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge: Gaining a better understanding of wildlife at NNWR with the help of student
NatureMapping and Fostering Outdoor Observation Skills activities.
Photo courtesy of Ellen Banner
The Nisqually Delta started forming about 15,000 years ago.
The Nisqually Indians were the first people to live in the area.
The Nisqually people were first known as “Squally-absch”, meaning “people of the river, people of the grass”.
Americans later changed the spelling to Nisqually.
Medicine Creek Treaty Tree
Before and after the December 15, 2006 wind storm
Early 1900s
The Brown Farm – early 1900’s
Many plans were proposed for the delta, including a landfill and a deep water port.
Luckily, there were conservationists and activists who worked with state and federal officials to protect the Delta from development.
In 1974, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to be managed as part of the
National Wildlife Refuge System.
Saltwater
Freshwater
Dike
Nisqually Estuary – before restoration
Nisqually Estuary Restoration
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Restoration Summer 2012
Wildlife that depend on NNWR
Founded in 1992 to:
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• Map and measure biodiversity with the help of schools and general public. “What do you see and where do you see it?”
• Integrate NatureMapping into schools so they become long-term wildlife monitors
• Help communities develop their biodiversity “report cards”
How does Nature Mapping help?
A measure of biodiversity found at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge!
We can then ask questions such as:
• Are there any changes in the types of wildlife we are seeing?
• Are we seeing wildlife not typical to this area?
• Have migration patterns been altered by climate change?
Invasive species Reed Canary Grass
Himalayan Blackberry
Scotts broom
Barred Owls
Data Collection Form Nature Mapping Nisqually Group # Habitat codes: Name 510 Estuary
Loca?on 515 Riparian Forest ?dal
Date 525 Riparian Forest
Weather 520 Freshwater wetland
How Obs. H= Hear, S=See, E=Evidence 415 River
Time Species Name
How Observed
How Many
Loca?on Block
Habitat Code Notes: Behavior informa?on
5 Major Habitat Types
#1- Freshwater Wetlands
5 Major Habitat Types
#2- River
5 Major Habitat Types #3- Riparian Forest
5 Major Habitat Types #4- Tidally Influenced Riparian Forest
5 Major Habitat Types #5- Estuary
Most Common Species
Most Common Species Song Sparrow
Common Merganser
Cedar Wax Wing
Wood Duck
Mallard
American Crow Red Winged Blackbird
Canada Goose
American Robin
What to expect when you visit…
• Dress for the weather!
• Please make sure to turn your NatureMapping data in to your teacher.
Remember, the best way to see wildlife is to be very quiet and to be very observant!
What to expect when you visit…
Celebrate your connection with your watershed! Post your “River Selfies” to the
Nisqually River Education Project on Twitter and Facebook, and we’ll repost our favorites each week!
Search “Nisqually
River Education Project”
on FaceBook, and
“Nisqually River Council”
on Twitter.