Field Survey!

2024 MHS Annual Field Survey!!

Where:  Lake Louise State Park
When:  June 14, 15, 16  2024.

MHS volunteers will not have to pay for the campsite, and work permits will be issued for free for those who do not have a state park sticker for their vehicle. MHS will provide firewood, so please do not bring firewood into the park! Please observe the Survey rules and do not wander off to search on your own! There are sensitive species in this park (not only herps species) and there are areas in this park that park managers have asked us to avoid. Please be respectful and stay with the group.

Some general information about the survey:
The MHS Field Survey is performed in cooperation with the MN DNR. We perform the survey to provide the MN DNR and the park an updated list of amphibians and reptiles occurring within the park.

• You must be a current member of MHS to attend the survey (exceptions must be pre-approved).
• Please follow the rules and guidelines set forth by MHS and the Survey Chair (these are available on the MHS website).
• The survey is open to all MHS members from those with no field experience to seasoned herpers. Experienced herpers can teach those with little or no experience. Typically, this is a group event; please be respectful of others as there will be members with differing levels of field expertise.

• MHS provides firewood, park maps, permits, main meals, snacks, and drinks. Entrance and campsite fees will be furnished by MHS this year.
• Please bring your own clothing and field/camping gear. MHS provides containers for holding specimens, but individuals must bring their own nets, snake hooks, etc.
• Surveys begin Friday evening and usually go until mid day Sunday. Feel free to stay for the entire survey, or attend one day or part of one day. Please sign in when you arrive, and sign out when you leave so we can track your survey hours. Generally, the survey usually begins Friday evening as the sun goes down for calling frogs and/or road cruising. Saturday begins at 9 am with an outing before lunch, lunch around noon, an outing after lunch, dinner around 6, and then evening frogs and/or road cruising. Sunday morning begins at 9 with an outing, but most leave after that to make it back home and prepare for the next week.
• Sign up before attending the survey. Likewise, notifications of cancellations are also encouraged as we try to organize group searches. We don’t want to leave anyone out, but we also don’t want to wait for people who aren’t going to show. Sign up for the survey at the May or June MHS monthly meetings, or by email (contact below).

For information about the park: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00124#homepage

Please observe the park rules (found here): http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/rules.html

If you have questions, please contact me at Reptilia74@aol.com.

Hope to see you there!
Jeff LeClere,
MHS Field Survey Chair