Introduction

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During the 1940s, Giant Canadian Goose (Branta Canadensis maxima was over-hunted and close to extinction. Now protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (IL, EPA) the bird has found a permanent home in many Midwestern states. The goose population has skyrocketed over the past ten years. Under the umbrella of the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (FMBTA), the geese and their young are protected on a federal level. It is illegal to harm them, their young or their eggs.  Vilas Park, in Madison, Wisconsin, is a habitat for many resident geese due to the surrounding bodies of water. 

As the population of geese has grown, so have the problems associated with them. The resident geese can be territorial and have been known to act aggressively towards humans (Smith et al. 1999).  In the Lake Wingra area, many of the geese reside near the water and defecate in the recreational facilities, including nearby soccer fields. Their feces have disturbed the health of Lake Wingra. The population of geese has become a nuisance in additional ways: they have damaged the surrounding turf, spread disease to animals (Lorman, 2003) and have a tendency to congregate in large flocks, which can cause disturbances for cars.

Our study focused on the success of a natural vegetation buffer that was planted to reduce the amount of geese in a popular Madison park. Vilas Park covers 42 acres and includes walking/ biking paths, tennis and soccer courts, playgrounds, beaches and trails (City of Madison Parks). The park is a popular destination year round. Residents have been complaining about problems associated with the geese. The buffer planted consists of native prairie species that helps deter geese from the water, and was planted in 2005 as a measure to reduce the number of geese specifically in zone 2. Since 2005, more vegetation has been added.

Vilas Park can be divided into nine different zones (Figure 1). Zone 2 is a popular recreational spot located near soccer fields and a lagoon. The long term goal of City of Madison Parks Division along with the Friends of Lake Wingra was to implement techniques to reduce the geese population in Vilas Park.

Our group focused on the percentage of geese in zone 2 compared to the rest of the park. Our hypothesis was as more vegetation was added to the buffer in 2006, it would continue to reduce the number of geese in zone 2.  We compared the percentages during both the summer and fall months. Our goal was to assess how the buffer affects the number of geese seasonally.