Amateur biologists of all ages are invited to help find out how the birds and fish are doing on Land Trust for the Little Tennessee’s 57-acre Welch Farm property at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2. 

The half-day event showcases nationally recognized research work monitoring bird and fish health. Volunteers will help in all aspects of the survey work, with supervision from a group of field biologists. 

The bird monitoring work is part of Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship, a nationwide program coordinated by the Institute for Bird Populations. The network includes more than 500 mist-netting stations. Data analysis will help scientists understand how best to manage and conserve these populations. 

Volunteers will also have the chance to participate in a stream biomonitoring program that LTLT has been heading up in the Little Tennessee River Valley. The program focuses on fish as indicators of watershed health and is celebrating its 25th anniversary. 

This event is a result of a partnership between LTLT, Southern Appalachian Raptor Research and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ Fisheries and Wildlife Management program. The program is sponsored by the Cherokee Preservation Foundation’s Revitalization of Traditional Cherokee Artisan Resources initiative, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, North Carolina State University and the Coweeta Long Term Ecological Research program.

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