June 30 – July 16: Lecture material will be available online for students to view.

July 16 OR July 17 (Friday OR Saturday): A one-day, in-person session at the Field Station. 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Instructor:  Dr. Michael J. Pauers received his Ph.D. from UW-Milwaukee in 2004.  His major research interests are the evolution and behavior of fishes, especially the cichlids of Lake Malaŵi, Africa, where he currently collaborates with the Malawi Department of Fisheries on a project examining the taxonomy and phylogeography of the fishes of the genus Labeotropheus. He also has extensive experience with the fishes of Wisconsin, both as an educator and researcher of fish diversity. He is currently an Associate Professor of Zoology at UW-Milwaukee at Waukesha, and is the Adjunct Curator of Fishes and Orth Family Ichthyology Research Fellow at the Milwaukee Public Museum.

The Course: Wisconsin is home to 147 native species of fishes, ranging from parasitic lampreys to colorful darters to majestic pikes and prehistoric sturgeons. This workshop will present the breadth of fish diversity in southeast Wisconsin, with an emphasis on the taxonomy and ecology of our native fishes, as well as how to identify them. The class will cover the basics of fish taxonomy and anatomy, as well as some basic fish biology.  The field session will offer opportunities to learn how to safely and effectively capture fishes in the wild; to learn “on-site” identification of fishes in the field; and opportunities for further discussions about the ecology and evolution of fishes. Students should come prepared to get wet and/or muddy!

Participants will need to drive their own vehicles to nearby field sites.

Workshop fee: $110. Available for 1 college credit or 1.3 CEU

Useful materials to bring to the field session:  Most of the equipment/supplies listed here are SUGGESTIONS; i.e., not mandatory.  Some of these things (e.g., towels, dry clothes, wading shoes) you will definitely want to have with you.

-A waterproof field notebook (good for taking notes not only in the field, but also in lab)

-A simple dissection kit (we will most likely NOT be dissecting fish, but you might find a good dissection probe handy).  Probes will be available for you to use during the course.

-Swimsuits or other clothes you wouldn’t mind getting wet and/or dirty

-Old tennis shoes or aqua socks or other good aquatic foot coverings (for wading)

-Rubber or neoprene waders (NOT breathable) – these will be used if we get a chance to collect fishes via electroshocking

-Towels

-Dry clothes

Register here.