Dakota County Dragonfly Survey Volunteer

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General Description

Do you know that there are over 6,000 species worldwide and about 140 in Minnesota? Dragonflies play an important role in our environment! They feed on mosquitoes, are a food resource for fish and amphibians, and are important indicators of aquatic ecosystem health.

Become a Dragonfly Survey Volunteer and help contribute to the research of these organisms! With your help we will be able to gather data on dragonflies in local parks, and eventually work to ensure the conservation of Minnesota’s dragonflies.

Location

Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Various locations throughout the park

Date/Times

Survey season runs May 27 - September 12

Various survey dates and locations

Duties & Responsibilities

• Help collect information about our local dragonfly populations by collecting specimens with nets and identifying the dragonflies you catch.
• At each monthly survey your team leader (who conducted the training) will work with you and the team to help identify the dragonflies you catch.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ages 5 and up are welcome to volunteer with an adult present
• Commit to 1x/month May - September
• Must be able to commit to the survey season
• Must be comfortable with working in an outside environment
• Enthusiastic about invertebrate conservation and the outdoors a plus

Minimum Time Commitment

The Dragonfly Survey Team is a 5 month commitment. Volunteers are asked to commit to the required training and the monthly survey dates for a combined total of 10 - 14 total hours.

Required Training

Volunteers are strongly encouraged to attend a three hour training, which covers basic dragonfly information like identification, biology, and habitat. Volunteers will get hands-on training on how to capture dragonflies using nets and how to handle and identify them. Extra hands are always welcomed, so if you miss the training date please come and we can train you in the field day of - you might be put on a wait list for certain dates if you have no completed the initial training.

Training Date/Time

Saturday, May 9

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Open ID Labs (optional)

Specimens and ID books will be available in an "open-house" style setting for training participants to get additional practice. If the weather is nice and the dragonflies are out, we'll also have nets and live specimens to work with.

Wednesday, May 27 and Tuesday, June 2

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Training and Lab Location

Lebanon Hills Regional Park Visitor Center - Discovery Room

860 Cliff Road

Eagan, MN 55123

Contact Information

Garrett Zaffke | Community Relations and Volunteer Services Coordinator

Dakota County Communications

1590 Highway 55| Hastings, MN 55033

Direct: (651) 438-4635 | Fax: (651) 438-4405 | Email: garrett.zaffke@co.dakota.mn.us