Your smart phone can teach you something and help park officials as you enjoy the natural beauty of Rock Island State Park through the Steward Science Program.
Park Interpretive Ranger Kristen Garrison said anyone that hikes the trail can use their phone to record information about the plants and animals of the park. Garrison said this information can be used to track the condition of the species and the changes in the composition of these species over time. Garrison said the data participants collect can help rangers make managerial decisions over the park. Garrison said whatever points the volunteers. Garrison said whatever data plants volunteers observe, the volunteers can learn something.
“So you’ll find a lot of different species on the upland versus the stuff that’s right next to the river,” Garrison said. “And I think by going through and using these apps, it’s almost a self-guided naturalist program where you get to learn about the species yourself.”
Garrison said volunteers interested in the program sign up through the park office. Garrison said rangers walk volunteers through the set up process, downloading four phone applications onto their smart phones. Garrison said the various apps allow volunteers to record information on birds and identify plants and fungi. Garrison said they receive flags and two sections of rope to mark off the area for observation. Garrison said volunteers record all findings through the applications iNaturalist, Merlin, and Survey 123.
Garrison said the program assists in measuring the biodiversity of the park. Biodiversity represents the health of the river systems and bird communities that rely on the park as a source of food and shelter. Garrison said the survey can help identify population changes to these communities, which can directly impact Warren locals.
“If we have problems such as pollution that’s actually decreasing the biodiversity in the park can actually impact the amount of fish that are in the stream,” Garrison said. “You know, it can impact the amount of birds that are in the forest.”
Garrison said maintaining integrity of the ecosystem impacts quality of life for locals, not just the animals.