Conservation Intern – Boone County Conservation District

Jaron – August 2024

The summer has been hot and humid, but it has been great. My internship with the county is coming to an end and I am about to start my last stretch of undergraduate at Eastern Kentucky University. While down at school I’ll continue progressing my degree and duties as the president of The Wildlife Society at EKU. I will also be working as a resident advisor.

I’ve finished up the first stretch of my summer research and I will be presenting it at the Thomas Moore Biological Field Station tomorrow morning. We had some interesting results from it, it seems big brown bats are more active on nights where it is hot and humid. When I get back to Eastern I will continue my research and expand upon it to other species and add more climatic variables.

I’ve really had a great summer and loved working with all the different people of the county. From collaborating with parks and SD1, teaching kids about the outdoors and working on research it’s all been kind to me. I’m not great at expressing gratitude, but I will try. I’m thankful for this learning opportunity, I’m thankful for the great new friends and mentors, I’m thankful for being able to make a meaningful impact on the earth and I’m thankful for being wrapped up with this conservation district!

Goodbye everyone!

August 1, 2024

Conservation Intern

Ilys – August 2024

These last few weeks have been jam packed with finishing my research and learning new skills!

This summer has been so much fun and incredible!! I’ve learned so much from my time here and have experienced so much that has prepared me for future job opportunities in the conservation field that I can’t thank BCCDKY enough for giving me this opportunity to do.

My research was a camera trap survey of mammals in a riparian zone along gunpowder creek on the Earl and Hazel Jones Center for Conservation property. It was interesting to not only see what mammals are in the riparian zone but what their behaviors were without the presence of humans. Plus, this data that I have collected will be used by BCCDKY for land and wildlife management purposes for the property and for use in future educational programs for the public. This was so rewarding to do and I’m very excited to present this at the Thomas More Field Station to share on a poster.

August 1, 2024

Conservation Intern

Jaron – July 2024

Hello everyone!

I hope everyone has had a very enjoyable summer so far! I know I am.

June and July have been busy as it is this time of year for so many people. We have had conservation kids camp and leaf academy all in the time of my last post. I always enjoy these summer camps. It's always a great time. It's hard work planning, preparing and watching all the kids but I truly think we are able to get a lot across to them!

Along with education programs I have also been working on my research project on the activity patterns of bats.I am going through a ton of audio files manually vetting the auto identification. The Identification of bats based on the recordings has been a unique challenge that I have enjoyed figuring out. Each bat species has different characteristics that can give away what type of bat they are. The software we use for identification will show a representative image of the frequency of the call. This can provide different shapes and measurements that we can use for identification. Some bats have bouncy calls, some have long stems, some are really low frequency, some high, etc. There are a good handful of different species but primarily I have recorded a lot of big brown bats, which makes sense since they are very common. This project has helped teach me some really great skills and I'm grateful for the opportunity to do it!

Below is an image of a Brown Bat call on the identification software Kaleidoscope.

July 18, 2024

Conservation Intern

Ilys – July 2024

The last month and a half has been jam packed with so many different things!! I’ve done multiple hydromodification assessments with SD1 and learned how to properly collect macroinvertebrate samples from either doing a square plot or from seining. I’ve also partially gotten over my fear of chainsaws from learning how to properly use them from a small workshop with the Boone County Parks department. Additionally, I’ve learned how to use other forms of equipment such as using the weed whacker and driving the quad around the property.

I also assisted in two educational camps that we hosted on the property. The first one was the Conservation Kids Camp (CKC) that we hosted two sessions for, one during the first week of June and the second in the last week of June. This was more geared towards kids ages 9 to 12 which was super awesome being a counselor and teaching these kids the importance of conservation and the environment on the property. Some topics they learned included how to look for macroinvertebrates in Gunpowder Creek, how to identify different types of animals and plants, and how to identify invasive plants such as poison hemlock. The second camp we hosted was the Leadership, Exploration, and Fun Academy (LEAF) which was really fun. This camp was geared more towards teens ages 13-15 to get them more interested in conservation and its importance. Some topics and activities they got to do include electrofishing, learning telemetry, how to conduct a forest health survey, visiting the mollusk conservation center in Frankfort, and learning leadership skills while also kayaking a section of Gunpowder Creek.

I have also continued my research on the property using trail cameras in three spots along Gunpowder creek to observe the mammals that live and are around on the edge of the riparian zone. It has been really fascinating to see what we see on the cameras and the behaviors that are exhibited. We’ve seen everything from a little mouse scurrying around finding food to an otter exploring the creek bank and sliding into the water to swim away. It’s also been really awesome learning different tactics in data collection, plus not only learning more about what I’m researching but also learning about what Jaron is researching and the methods he’s using. Overall, it’s been such a fun and insightful month and a half and I can’t wait to see what else is in store as we get closer to the end of the summer.

July 18, 2024

Conservation Intern

Ilys – May 2024

In my first couple of weeks I’ve done more of the less outdoorsy part of conservation. I went to a mitigation meeting for the county, the OKI annual meeting, and a fiscal court meeting that taught me a lot about policy and how interagency collaborations are such an important part of making sure things can happen and projects can be done properly. In addition, I also learned the importance of a good relationship with the local government from these meetings.

In the field, I’ve learned a lot about using our bat detectors and how to interpret the data that we get using the data analysis software, Kaleidoscope. We’ve also done a lot of invasive species management such as cutting down honeysuckle bushes and multi-flora rose. Plus making trails so that we can easily get around the property.

Additionally, I was able to put out trail cameras along gunpowder creek to begin my research on otters and how they interact with other semi-aquatic mammals.

May 28, 2024

Conservation Intern

Jaron May 2024

Hello everyone!

For my second year as Boone County Conservation districts summer intern my first week at BCCD has gone by fast! We have gotten started with a couple different projects. The biggest thing on the radar is Conservation Kids Camp. We’re having camp happen this year at our new property the Earl and Hazel Jones Center for Conservation. Camp is a great time to impart some knowledge on some youngins. In the current era of digital youth I like to think these camps can provide some core outdoor memories and help these kids develop a relationship with nature where as they might not otherwise.

I often quote my experience turkey hunting with my father when I was a kid as the reason I am a conservationist today. For others maybe there was backyard woods where they had a fort, maybe it was hiking with older siblings. While it certainly isn't close to being gone, it is harder for youth to connect to nature than ever, particularly for children in urban areas. I believe that our county's youth environmental education programs can provide the inciting moments in children's lives that get them to care for the outdoors in the same way turkey hunting did for me. That for me is such an exciting and fulfilling project to be a part of.

Not all of what I am doing this summer is environmental education though. We are also working on restoring and managing our new property, The Earl and Hazel Jones Center for Conservation. We’re mostly removing invasive species such as bush honeysuckle. We also have been in discussion with other conservation centers and nature preserves to get ideas as to how to best serve the community using Earl and Hazel Jones Center for Conservation.

I am so excited for the rest of the summer. In my next blog post I will get a little more into detail about the bat research project I am doing. It should be good! For now I will leave you with a portion of a poem by Wendell Berry, a KY born poet.

The Want of Peace

by Wendell Berry

All goes back to the earth,

and so I do not desire

pride of excess or power,

but the contentments made

by men who have had little:

the fisherman’s silence

receiving the river’s grace,

the gardener’s musing on rows.

May 23, 2024

Conservation Intern

Ava – Fall 2023

The last few weeks have been eventful and full of research!

Liz from SD1 invited us to go and help with her hydromod surveys. I had never done one before, but now I feel like a pro.

Susan and I have been monitoring wildlife on the conservation district's new property by using trail cameras, and boy have we found an assortment of wildlife. We saw lots of deer, 4 turkeys, one mink, plenty of squirrels/birds, a coyote, and a few house cats.

I have been experimenting with my insect collection methods. I had never used a pitfall trap before so I was trying to find the best way to set them up. Which I did with the help of Susan and Chris. I caught a few spiders and nats in the test run of that trap. Keep an eye out for my next post I should hopefully have some insect research to share with you!

January 18, 2024

Conservation Intern

Lillie – Fall 2023 Semester

Autumn is my favorite time of the year! I love the colors, the weather, and of course a nice bonfire and hot chocolate. This year the season was extra special as I was lucky enough to continue my internship with BCCDKY. I can’t describe how much I’ve learned from our wonderful team. Below are a few highlights from the last few months.

August

Got to work on my Fall research plan – I decided to heavily incorporate geology into continuing bat research at Boone Cliffs
Enjoyed going to the Cliffs with Sarah and Jasper to survey for sinkholes and determine a long-term location for the detector

September

Insect methodology experimenting with Mark and Jasper to have an idea for when Ava joined.
Bat data and Trail cam data at Conservancy Park

Attempted to use the bat telescopic pole with a light and trail cam attached to see if we could get more bats and have them on video (no videoed bats). Credit to Mark for the idea and to Pavla ordering us a light asap!
Shadowed Dr. Booth’s (UC) aquatic biology class at Pioneer Park
OKI Dearborn Tour
Vernal Pond Workshop at the Nature Center with Lacey
Monarch tagging
Stationed the detector long term at Boone Cliffs
Met with a previous intern, Stephanie Spence, to catch up
Helped Sarah and Natalie at Conservancy cutting down honeysuckle

October

Presented summer research at ORBA-ORCRE Summit and won the first-place poster award
Went to Dayton with Liz to be a part of the ORSANCO education outreach traveling fish tank
Mussel Survey with Mitchell at the new property
Attended the Ohio River Way Summit
Volunteered at the ORSANCO river sweep

November

Presented my summer research at the Kentucky Academy of Science Conference (we got to see Kamryn!). I earned the Thoroughbred Award (highest rating)
Hydromod at Gunpowder with Liz
Autumn Hike at the Cliffs

Autumn is also a season for gratitude, and I am thankful for this entire experience. I hope you enjoy the falling leaves, brisk weather, and a time to reflect. Thank you.

“Between every two pines, there is a doorway to a new world.”

John Muir

January 17, 2024

Conservation Intern

Lillie – Fall 2023

I chose to continue interning with BCCDKY, because it’s an amazing way to gain experience, meet fantastic people, and learn new things.

Here’s what I’ve been up to:

Field Work:

I went to Boone Cliffs with Sarah and Jasper for a scouting adventure. Jasper and I studied geological maps, and we were following our hypothesis to see if we could find sinkholes for my upcoming research project. Although we did not find any, we found something much cooler. We hiked our way up to the Cliffs of Boone Cliffs, and I crawled inside to see if maybe bats would roost there. I’m so glad Susan gave me a handy dandy headlamp! I’m sure everyone’s favorite part was when I screamed, “AHH! THERE’S AN ANIMAL IN HERE” I probably should mention, it was just a mouse and not a fox…

Mark and Jasper took me on an insect expedition to Conservancy. We spent the morning catching, taking pictures, and using SEEK to ID. My favorite was the grasshopper that wouldn’t leave Jasper’s net and proceeded to munch on it.
Jasper took me on a field trip to Big Bone Lick and gave me a mini lesson on anthropology with a geological twist.
I helped Sarah and Natalie at Conservancy by removing invasive honeysuckle. Sarah taught me how to be a second at chain sawing, and Natalie taught me what a face cut looks like.
We attempted a new technique with the setup of acoustic monitoring for bats. We set up a telescopic pole and attached a light for insects to gather around. The monitor was placed on top along with a trail cam.
I attended a Vernal Pool Restoration Workshop at the Boone Environmental and Nature Center. Special guest Tom Biebighauser helped us build 4 vernal pools. Such a neat and fun experience!

Misc.

We met with Sarah and Natalie from Parks to discuss our fall plans! I always love seeing them (I’m especially excited to learn the ways of chain sawing from them)
I was able to shadow Dr. Booth’s aquatic bio class from UC and their class about fish sampling. We completed a quantitative habitat assessment, longline electro fished, backpack electro fished, and fish ID.
I attended the OKI Dearborn County tour. The tour consisted of visiting Kaiser Pickle Plant, Scenic View Farm, Eight Top Grill Restaurant, Hall Farms, Lobenstein’s Farm.

Education

I experienced my first monarch tagging program! We weren't able to catch any monarchs, but we did find a lot of other critters like a rat snake! After the program at Idlewild Park, we tagged a monarch at Conservancy while collecting equipment.

October 25, 2023

Conservation Intern

This Summer has Flown By

What an amazing summer… knowledge, experiences, and friendships to last a lifetime.

Much of my summer involved bat research through acoustic surveys in Boone and Campbell County. One evening, our team followed a driving route starting at Boone Cliffs using an acoustic device to detect many of the species our stationary devices indicated. The entire research project has been a collaboration between so many wonderful people. Alex, from West Virginia Conservation, spent time educating me on acoustic bat research techniques and shared so many resources! I’m grateful to everyone who contributed to this project. Eleven different species of bats were detected in our area! We will continue to research this important species.

It was a great experience shadowing the Boone County Parks Team. We worked on trail restoration at Middle Creek and hiked Boone Cliffs!

The Thomas More University Biology Field Station Interns provided a variety of experiences! The River Crew showed us how to work with gill and hoop nets, measure fish, and check water chemistry. The Lab Crew involved us in feeding the animals, seining for minnows, and additional water chemistry. Hellbenders are so cool!

Field Trips are always a favorite hands-on experience!

We visited the Geier Collections and Research Center and the Cincinnati Museum Center to see the zoology collection. I met Bangs the bat! Did you know that bats purr?

We also spent an amazing day kayaking to the Ghost ship & hiking the YMCA wetlands. The ghost ship was built in 1902, is 175 ft. and was once a Navy Ship. You can learn more about the journey of this interesting ship at https://uss-sachem.org/faq.

I conducted my first Mussel Survey. I enjoyed organizing the grids and getting to work in the creek! The entire team worked so hard! Mussels are an important indicator of water quality, and they work hard to keep our rivers and streams clean. It is important to know what species and how many are in our waters.

I have lots of heroes; anyone and everyone who does whatever they can to leave the natural world better than they found it.

Sylvia Earle

August 24, 2023

Category: Conservation Intern

Hello everyone!

August

September

October

November

“Between every two pines, there is a doorway to a new world.”

John Muir

I chose to continue interning with BCCDKY, because it’s an amazing way to gain experience, meet fantastic people, and learn new things.

Misc.

Education

What an amazing summer… knowledge, experiences, and friendships to last a lifetime.