Eco-Resource Consulting, Inc.

ERC is hiring! Check out the current openings on our website and apply today! https://lnkd.in/gckPCQd

We had such a good time at the Wisconsin Wetlands Association Wetland Science Conference this week in La Crosse! Great presenters, fun field trips, excellentent information, and even better networking! Already looking forward to next year in Baraboo.

Register for Mequon Nature Preserve's next Biodiversity Program class! The course: Focal Species for Land Management We work closely with Gary Casper on several projects using the Focal Species approach. We can attest first hand to his vast knowledge and success in using this holistic planning method. You don't want to miss this! Two offerings are available: Session 1 will be on Wednesdays from 2:00–4:00 p.m. (March 19, March 26, April 2, and April 9) and Session 2 will be on Thursdays from 2:00–4:00 p.m. (April 3, 10, 17 and 24). This program is aimed at active land managers and ecological consultants. It will meet one day a week for 4 weeks at the Mequon Nature Preserve. Each session is limited to 10 students. Cost: $250.00 per person. This course will examine how land managers can use the Focal Species concept for improving land stewardship for wildlife. These are usually species that need a helping hand because they are in regional decline, or have special habitat requirements. Management actions are “focused” on their needs. This concept is currently in use by land trusts, and by the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern, to improve biodiversity outcomes. The course will examine defining and selecting Focal Species appropriate for a project area, understanding their particular habitat needs, and how to develop a habitat plan around these needs with specific habitat management actions and criteria. Example data sets will be provided, and students should be prepared to run the process of Focal Species selection and design for a property they actively manage, on a species group of their choice. Case studies and examples provided will be mostly examining herptiles, birds, mammals, and a few invertebrates (terrestrial crayfish, insects). Instructor: Gary S. Casper, Ph.D., Director of Biodiversity Programs at the Mequon Nature Preserve To register and learn more, click the links below. Session 1: https://lnkd.in/gjMZRCeb Session 2: https://lnkd.in/gUzd4Umu

We are honored to be a Gold Sponsor for the Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council Prescribed Fire Council 2025 Prescribed Fire Conference in Baraboo. While we don’t contract fire directly, we are avid supporters of prescribed fire and we work with many of WPFC member organizations to safely burn our fire adapted project sites. Prescribed fire is one of the most critical long-term management tools. Register today or become a sponsor and support the WPFC!

While it feels like a blustery spring day today, winter is the ideal time to identify wildlife by their tracks. While we still had a thin layer of snow on the ice, our Restoration Technicians observed North American River Otter belly slides and American Mink tracks (we think!) on the Little Menomonee River at Milwaukee County Parks. It's observations like these that remind us of why we do this work and the importance in preserving and enhancing wildlife habitat.

Sign up today!

Last week, ERC Technicians worked up their appetite for Thanksgiving dinner by installing native seed around the side slopes of three separate stormwater ponds for a private landowner in Racine County. The three wet ponds were installed for a new development that is enrolled in a conservation easement. The side slopes were constructed in the summer with an annual oat cover crop for temporary soil stabilization. This fall, ERC Technicians conducted a maintenance mowing of the cover crop, prepared the top layer of soil, hand broadcasted the native seed on the side slopes, and installed erosion control matting to lock the seed in place and prevent erosion concerns. Once established, the deep-rooted native plants will further stabilize the side slopes, improve stormwater management, and add a variety of colors and wildflowers throughout the growing season for the new residents to enjoy!

Revegetation efforts are officially underway at Little Menomonee with Milwaukee County Parks! After three years of intensive invasive species management and large scale buckthorn removal, we are finally ready to start reintroducing native plants. We are partnering with Hoffman Landscape to execute reforestation efforts. These reforestation units will expand existing native hardwood forest with trees like white oak, shagbark hickory, sugar maple, and basswood. Hard work and patience pay off! Stay tuned for updates and the finished baby woodland!

Last Monday, we rang in the Autumnal Equinox with our annual Community Seed Collection event at WM Hidden Springs! We had an absolutely gorgeous fall day, a fabulous group of volunteers, and collected a great amount of native seed to use in areas of ongoing management on site. A special thanks to our volunteers with Germantown High School, Pheasants Forever Wisconsin, USDA-NRCS, and Just Listen Inc. for joining us and continuing to support the work that we do!

It’s that time of year… Community Seed Collection at Waste Management Hidden Springs Wetland Complex! Plan to swing by anytime between 9am and 2pm on Monday, September 23, 2024, to take a stroll through the prairie, learn about the work we do, identify native plants, observe wildlife, and collect some seed! Please share!