Projects and Position Descriptions

Monarch Landscape Ecology

4-8 field technician positions available, full time 40hr/wk, ~12 weeks

Project lead: Skye Harnsberger (skye.harnsberger@wisc.edu)

Project description: How do local and landscape-level characteristics influence monarch use of a milkweed patch? The eastern migratory population of monarch butterflies has experienced a significant decline since the 1990s. The predominant cause of the decline has been attributed to loss of breeding habitat. Milkweed, the host plant for monarchs, is a prerequisite for breeding habitat. Nearly 2 billion milkweed stems are needed to restore and sustain the eastern population of monarchs in the US. To ensure that habitat restoration efforts are targeted towards areas that are accessible for monarchs, it is necessary to understand the effects of landscape spatial heterogeneity on monarch presence. The objective of this study is to understand how the size of a patch of milkweed and its proximity to other breeding habitat in the surrounding landscape affects whether monarchs will occupy it. This research will yield insights on ideal monarch habitat placement in the landscape to aid milkweed restoration efforts.

Position responsibilities: Field technicians will complete surveys of 1-2 prairie/grassland sites per day for monarchs, milkweed, and blooming plants and will be expected to drive a lab vehicle between 1-4.5 hours per day to access survey sites across southern WI. Driving responsibilities will rotate among crew members. Surveys require teamwork, effective communication, diligent observational skills, and careful data recording of plants and monarch eggs, caterpillars, and adults. On days with poor weather, we do data entry in lab. Applicant should be prepared to work outside in hot weather and thick vegetation. Applicants must have a valid US driver’s license and be able to obtain driver authorization from UW Risk Management (http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/risk_mgt/drivetable.html). Familiarity with native WI plant identification, particularly milkweed species, is a plus. No previous skills or knowledge are necessary for this position; paid training is provided.

Pollinator Conservation (NRCS)

1-4 undergraduate field technician positions available, full time 40 hr/week, ~12-14 weeks. Willing to consider ½ time positions

Project lead: Jade Kochanski (jkochanski@wisc.edu)

Project description: Wild and managed bee declines have been well documented in recent years and habitat loss has been identified as one of the main drivers of these declines. Habitat restoration and reconstruction are an effective strategy to mitigate bee declines. Conservation easements are a large scale means of habitat restoration. Historically, management plans for large scale habitat restoration and conservation programs have focused on plant community and game animal outcomes. Recently, agencies such as the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) have been working to create and implement best practice management plans focused specifically on pollinator conservation for their prairie restoration programs. The question remains: how best to do pollinator specific prairie restorations? This project aims to evaluate a variety of past and current restoration activities and their effects on Wisconsin bumble bee populations in order to identify restoration and management activities that are working well and areas that can be improved.

Position responsibilities: Bumble bee and vegetation surveys will be conducted in Southern Wisconsin that are enrolled in the NRCS Wetland Reserve Program (WRP). Technicians will learn Wisconsin bumble bee and prairie plant identification. They will be responsible for assisting with observational bumble bee and flowering plant surveys. Our project is part of a collaboration with the Damschen Lab, so we work closely with a Botany graduate student who does intensive vegetation surveys at each of our field sites. The technicians will be expected to help with vegetation surveys when necessary. The prairies we work in are the upland component of restored wetlands. Expect some muddy, wet work days. The occasional overnight trip will be necessary when visiting the most northern sites.

Urban Bumble Bees

two undergraduate and one post-graduate field technician positions, full-time 40 hr/week, ~12-14 weeks.

Project lead: Taylor Tai (tmtai@wisc.edu)

Project description: In addition to playing a key role in our food systems, bumble bees (genus Bombus) pollinate many of the plants that wild birds and mammals rely on for fruit, seeds, and shelter. Thus, they are vital for maintaining both plant and animal biodiversity. As evidence for bumble bee population declines and range contractions has surfaced in recent years, some research has suggested that urbanization may impact their persistence in the wild. On one hand, urban environments can offer abundant ornamental flowers and open, navigable habitat for bees. On the other, they may pose challenges due to pollution or replacement of natural habitat with human development. This project aims to understand how features of urban environments influence the abundance and diversity of wild bumble bees. Ultimately, this information will be useful in addressing bumble bee declines.

Position responsibilities: Technicians will learn to net and handle bumble bees, identify them to species, and become familiar with common wildflowers. In good weather, our team will survey bees in prairies, suburban neighborhoods, and city blocks. This requires technicians to drive to and from survey sites, work independently or in pairs, and remain engaged in hot and/or buggy conditions. In poor weather, we will discuss related scientific papers, prepare field equipment, and begin preliminary data analysis. No experience necessary, but enthusiasm for insect conservation and/or ecology is a must.

Pollinator Habitat Value (DATCP)

One lead field technician position and 1 undergraduate field technician position available, full time 40 hr/week for 12 weeks (June-August).  Willing to consider ½ time positions.

Project lead: Hannah Gaines Day (hgaines@gmail.com)

Project description: Many Wisconsin specialty fruit and vegetable crops are dependent on bee pollination to achieve marketable yields.  Research in our group has found that wild bees are important contributors to crop pollination in Wisconsin, and that in some cases, wild bees alone provide full pollination.  To support wild bee communities on farms, some growers have established pollinator habitat on their farms. In general, these habitat plantings attract wild bees, increase wild bee abundance and diversity, and increase pollination services.  What is less known, however, is how they influence crop yield, which would have a direct impact on growers. In this study, we will examine the value of pollinator habitat plantings to bee communities and vegetable production farms in Wisconsin, and to determine the extent to which they enhance crop yield.  To do this, we will examine watermelon and cucumber pollination on small-scale diversified vegetable farms in southern and southwestern Wisconsin.

Position responsibilities: The lead field technician will assist with site selection, collect data including timed pollinator observations, pollen limitation and fruit yield, process data, and oversee the maintenance of data entry and organization.  The lead field technician will work with the staff scientist to coordinate data collection on commercial farms with an undergraduate field crew. The undergraduate field technician(s) will assist the lead field technician and project lead in data collection and processing, data entry, and general organization of field equipment.  This position will be based on Madison, WI with frequent travel around southern Wisconsin.

Position: Lead Field Technician (Pollinator Habitat, DATCP)

Pay rate: $14/hour

Start date/duration: Full time seasonal position lasting 15 weeks, starting in May/June

Responsibilities: The lead field technician will assist with site selection, collect data including timed pollinator observations, pollen limitation and fruit yield, process data, and oversee the maintenance of data entry and organization.  The lead field technician will work with the staff scientist to coordinate data collection on commercial farms with an undergraduate field crew. This position will be based on Madison, WI with frequent travel around southern Wisconsin.

Requirements:

•      Valid US driver’s license and ability to obtain driver authorization from UW Risk Management”. (http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/risk_mgt/drivetable.html)
•      BS/BA degree in entomology, agroecology, horticulture, ecology, or related
•      Coursework in ecology, biology, entomology, or related fields
•      Previous field research experience related to pollinators
•      Experience handling and processing insect specimens
•      Ability to work independently or in a group
•      Reliable, dependable, accountable, motivated, strong sense of integrity
•      Ability and willingness to work outdoors in hot, sunny conditions
•      Strong attention to detail

Preferred:

•      MS degree in entomology, agroecology, horticulture, ecology, or related field

Effectiveness of pollinator plantings (cucumber)

Two field technician positions, full-time 40 hr/week

Project lead: Erin Lowe (eblowe@wisc.edu)

Project description:

Farmers are often encouraged to plant flowers alongside crop fields to support wild bee conservation and improve crop pollination. Sometimes these flower plantings, known as “pollinator plantings”, are effective–they increase wild bee populations and crop pollination–but other times they fall short, making farmers reticent to adopt what can be a helpful conservation practice.

The aim of this project is to improve the effectiveness of pollinator plantings by understanding how existing natural area around cucumber fields influences planting success. For example, planting flowers next to a field surrounded by tons of existing natural habitat might not be helpful because bees may already have all the flowers they need. Conversely, planting a few flowers next to a field surrounded by very little natural area might be ineffective because bees can’t survive in a landscape with such little habitat.

Position responsibilities: Data collection will include observational pollinator surveys, flower surveys, and pollen deposition experiments. Technicians will be trained in wild bee identification and plant identification. Prior experience with bee and plant id is a plus but is not required. During peak cucumber bloom we will be living in a cabin near my field sites so it’s important that all technicians be comfortable living somewhat communally with small group for several weeks. Long hours and weekend work will also be necessary during this time. The rest of the summer, field and lab work will take place near Madison.

Honey Bee Landscape Ecology

Two undergraduate field technician positions available, full time 40 hr/week for 12 weeks (June-August).  

Also recruiting students to conduct independent thesis research on this project.

Project lead: Hannah Gaines Day (hgaines@gmail.com)

Project description: Overwintering losses of honey bee hives in Wisconsin are at unprecedented levels.  Over the past ten years, beekeepers reported losing on average 50% of their hives over the winter.  By all accounts this is not sustainable and has serious ramifications for the production of many of our food crops (e.g., almonds, apple, blueberries).  One factor that has been implicated in these losses is the loss of forage habitat (i.e. flowers) in the landscape. In this project, we aim to develop a better understanding of the relationship between honey bee hive success, features of the landscape associated with food availability, and local climatic conditions.  By elucidating these relationships, we will develop hive-specific indicators of summer performance (i.e., honey production) and survival. Use of these indicators highlight management options (e.g., hive placement decisions or food supplementation) that could benefit beekeepers by decreasing hive losses, lowering management costs, and reduce economic losses for beekeepers.  

Position responsibilities: Field technicians will be responsible for visiting field sites, collecting and processing data, and maintaining field equipment.  Field work will include setting up in-hive sensors, downloading data from sensors, and conducting hive assessments. Access to some sites will require use of 4WD, therefore must be comfortable with or willing to learn off-road driving in large trucks.  Must be comfortable around honey bees. Protective suits and gloves will be provided.

Lady beetle resource continuity and biological control

1 undergraduate field technician position available, full time 40 hr/week. Willing to consider ½ time positions

Project lead: Ben Iuliano (biuliano@wisc.edu)

Project description: Insect natural enemies (NEs) provide valuable ecosystem services by consuming common agricultural pests. Conservation biocontrol seeks to maximize the effects of these beneficial insects for sustainable pest management. Since insect predators are highly mobile, it is important to consider the landscape composition surrounding farm fields when evaluating NE health and biological control potential. Although it has long been held that greater natural/non-crop area in the landscape promotes NEs and biocontrol, recent research has shown that the relationship is not so simple. One reason for this might be that “natural area” is really a proxy for food and habitat resources, yet these variables are rarely measured directly in landscape biocontrol studies. Thus, we are interested in understanding how the temporal continuity of resources in the landscape affects NE abundance and biological control potential, using lady beetles and aphids in Southern Wisconsin as a model system.

Position responsibilities: Aphid and lady beetle surveys will be conducted in Southern Wisconsin along a novel spatio-temporal gradient of presumed resource availability. Technicians will learn field techniques for sampling these insects, along with species identification. They will be responsible for assisting with field work/sample collection in farm fields and natural areas, as well as organization and identification of specimens back in the lab. Field sites will be located within 100 miles of Madison, so be prepared to travel several hours on sampling days. Expect to work in a range of weather conditions. No experience necessary, just enthusiasm for insect conservation, ecology, and/or sustainable agriculture.

Citizen Science Specialist

One research/outreach specialist position available, 6 month position (April-September) with possibility to extend.

Bachelor’s degree required/MS preferred

Project lead: Hannah Gaines Day (hgaines@gmail.com) and Jeremy Hemberger (j.hemberger.wisc@gmail.com)

Project description: Successful production of Wisconsin’s most important fruit and vegetable crops depends on pollination by bees.  Historically, growers have relied on the rental of hives from commercial beekeepers, however decreases in availability and increases in rental costs have left growers questioning the future of pollination for their crops.  Thankfully, approximately 400 species of native, wild bees, are present in Wisconsin, many of which have been documented pollinating crops – potentially helping meet pollination demands in many areas. However, our knowledge of wild bee abundance is limited to a handful of farms in the state due to the logistical constraints of surveying bees over large geographic areas.  This has limited our ability to provide the pollination management recommendations that growers seek. To address this shortfall, we will develop and implement a citizen science-based sampling program using a web/mobile-based application platform to collect data on farm-level wild bee communities. Engaging growers to collect data on their farms will eventually enable us to develop improved models that aid growers in making pollination management decisions, including whether honey bee rental is necessary, while simultaneously improving grower awareness of the importance of wild bees in their respective agroecosystems.

Position responsibilities: The specialist will help develop bee sampling protocols, train growers on implementation of the protocol, including the use  of a mobile app, conduct on-farm training, develop educational materials, and work with the web developers to improve features and functionality.  The specialist will be required to work with collected data to create summaries and reports for scientists and growers. This position will be based on Madison, WI with frequent travel around southern Wisconsin.

Position: Citizen Science Research and Outreach Specialist

Pay rate: $15/hour

Start date/duration: Full time seasonal position lasting 6 months starting in March/April, with possibility to extend

Responsibilities: The specialist will help develop bee sampling protocols, train growers on implementation of the protocol, including the use  of a mobile app, conduct on-farm training, develop educational materials, and work with the web developers to improve features and functionality.  The specialist will be required to work with collected data to create summaries and reports for scientists and growers. This position will be based on Madison, WI with frequent travel around southern Wisconsin.

Requirements:

•      Valid US driver’s license and ability to obtain driver authorization from UW Risk Management”. (http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/risk_mgt/drivetable.html)
•      BS/BA degree in entomology, agroecology, horticulture, ecology, or related
•      Coursework in ecology, biology, entomology, or related fields
•      Effective communicator on the phone, email, and in person
•      Ability to work independently
•      Strong attention to detail
•      Experience handling and processing insect specimens
•      Field research experience related to pollinators and/or agricultural systems

Preferred:

•      MS degree in entomology, agroecology, horticulture, ecology, or related field
•      Proficiency in pollinator identification
•      Experience with citizen science projects or science outreach

.      Experience with creating outreach presentations (powerpoints, posters)

.      Experience with spreadsheets and basic data analysis