DNR EWR PT VERNAL POOL SAMPLING

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking proposals for vegetation sampling in vernal pool habitats for native plant communities revision. The project involves collecting vegetation and supplemental plot data within vernal pool habitats of the Laurentian Mixed Forest Province. The contractor will collect data on a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 90 pool surveys, with the final number determined by the complexity at each site. The project requires the contractor to have experience in botany, in-field classification using the Minnesota Native Plant Community Classification Field Guides, and in-field relevé data collection methods. The contractor will be responsible for providing their own equipment, transportation, and lodging. • The project will take place in three primary ecological subsections: Chippewa Plains, Pine Moraines and Outwash Plains, and North Shore Highlands. • The contractor will navigate to each vernal pool location to verify that the habitat meets the size, delineate the extent of the pool and attribute requirements described in the Vernal Pool Sampling Protocol. • The contractor will collect vegetation relevés and structure data for vernal pools at 30 different site locations between July and September across the LMF. • The contractor will be required to review appropriate modifications with DNR staff prior to data collection and consult with the MNDNR project manager as needed to address any uncertainties that arise in appropriate modifications of methods.