Congratulations to Duanne Swift!
The article below describes recognition for him for all his work as a citizen science monitor. The article and photo are from the website of the Snapshot Wisconsin program, which uses data from trail cameras to conduct state-wide monitoring.
(Please note that the photo is not of Duanne, but was captured on his trail camera!)
OK, seriously again. The program describes itself:
The goals of the project are to provide efficient data that helps DNR make decisions about wildlife management and to increase public engagement in natural resources throught hands-on learning. As Snapshot Wisconsin expands, volunteer-collected data will be used to develop new methods to monitor deer populations and assess the statewide distribution of carnivores.
January 2019 Volunteer of the Month
Clam Lake Area Bull Elk
January’s Volunteer of the Month goes to Duanne from Vilas County! Duanne is a long-time citizen scientist who has participated in a variety of projects including wolf tracking, lake monitoring, Snapshot Wisconsin and more. As a 50+ year bow hunting veteran, he immediately fell in love with monitoring what was going on in the natural world when he wasn't there.
Duanne has spent more than two years monitoring trail cameras in the Clam Lake elk reintroduction area, though his first experience camera trapping came when his son gifted him a trail camera over 20 years ago. When asked about his favorite part of participating in Snapshot Wisconsin, Duanne responded, “probably just another excuse to get out in the woods” - we couldn’t agree more! Here, you’ll see a photo of the first elk that Duanne caught on one of his Snapshot Wisconsin cameras, which is quite an impressive bull!
Thank you, Duanne! Thank you to all our trail camera hosts and Zooniverse volunteers for helping us discover our wildlife together.
We are thankful, Duanne, for all the useful environmental work you do!