The goal of the proposed project is to develop and implement an effective and sustainable framework for identifying, mapping, and monitoring vernal pools in the great lakes region. This project will…

This $899,460 federal grant was awarded by the Shared Services Center of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) to develop and implement a framework for identifying, mapping, and monitoring vernal pools in the Great Lakes region. The project will integrate citizen science with a novel multi-sensor remote sensing technique that combines synthetic aperture radar and LiDAR digital elevation models to facilitate vernal pool mapping and monitoring. Michigan Tech will establish the Great Lakes Vernal Pool Citizen Science Program and map vernal pools in focus areas of Michigan, Wisconsin, and New York. This grant does not have a set-aside designation and is intended to support critical environmental monitoring and climate research capabilities at the university, which has a strong track record of executing federal contracts and grants across diverse technology domains.

The goal of the proposed project is to develop and implement an effective and sustainable framework for identifying, mapping, and monitoring vernal pools in the great lakes region. This project will integrate citizen science with a novel multi-sensor remote sensing technique combining canopy penetrating synthetic aperture radar (SAR) with lidar digital elevation model (DEM) stochastic depression analysis to facilitate vernal pool mapping and monitoring. We plan to convene project partners and stakeholders to develop a great lakes vernal pool collaborative (glvpc) and citizen science program for all eight states. Ensuring the involvement of all states in the definition of vernal pools and standards and protocols for monitoring from the outset is crucial for establishing the glvpc from its inception with vested interests by all. However, the mapping and citizen science program will be conducted in 3 focus states, michigan, wisconsin and new york, due to time and budget constraints. We will establish the great lakes vernal pool citizen science program using the framework, and tools/resources identified and/or developed during workshops of partners. We will map pvps in focus areas of the 3 states using remote sensing and recruit and train people for the citizen science program to verify and collect vernal pool data. Efforts will include engaging partners, refining digital APP field forms (survey 123 and epicollect), building a glvpc website and webviewer for storing and viewing data, as well as creating resources to recruit, train, and retain program participants. This will establish a network of trained and engaged citizen scientists and partners to implement and sustain successful.