The Michigan Vernal Pools Partnership (MVPP) is a public/private partnership of nonprofits, conservancies, businesses, individuals, educators, and agencies in Michigan that have organized to strategically work towards increased conservation and understanding of vernal pools across the region.

MTRI is helping MVPP to map vernal pools in Michigan using multi-source remote sensing for National Parks and Lakeshores in the Great Lakes region.

Remote sensing is the detection and monitoring of physical characteristics on the earth by measuring reflected light and energy within the electromagnetic spectrum from a distance, typically from a satellite in outer space, aircraft, or drone (USGS). This is an interactive StoryMap that explores how remote sensing is used to monitor Michigan’s forests landcover change, fire hazards, invasive species, and more.

HS-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

HS-PS3 – Energy

HS-PS4 – Waves and their Applications in Technologies for Information for Information Transfer

HS-ESS3 – Earth and Human Activity

This is an informational StoryMap that was part of a field trip for the workshop:

Furstenberg Nature Area is a 38-acre park in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Most of the park’s border lies along the Huron River. The Park contains wetlands, woodlands, prairie, and oak savanna. Since the mid 90s, Natural Area Preservation staff and volunteers have been caring for the park lands by using controlled burns and invasive species shrub removal. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are used to map the park and the ecosystems with an image sensor (camera).

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):

HS-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

This is an informational StoryMap that was part of a field trip for the workshop:

Park Lyndon is a geologic and biologic diverse park in Washtenaw County. The park’s kettle and kame terrain was formed by glacial recession and contains a wide range of ecosystem, including prairie fens, oak savannahs, and forests. The AEOIP workshop field trip explored the northwest corner of Park Lyndon. This is a 130-acre parcel acquired in 2001 and is under active restoration with prescribed fire and mechanical means in an attempt to control invasive species and promote the oak savannah recovery.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):

HS-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Developed in an elementary science education setting, to better understand the temperature differences between forested and urban areas, and teach how some of the effects can be mitigated.

This tool was used in elementary science education classes to help inform students about the impact of wind energy on bird migration. The application provides a simple map interface which allows users to compare miratory flyways with wind farm locations.