Now this a co-worker I’d like to work with!

At the Mequon Nature Preserve in Wisconsin, an unconventional employee is taking conservation efforts to the next level — Tilia, a chocolate labrador with a nose for the job. Fueled by treats and toys rather than paychecks, Tilia plays a vital role in preserving the preserve’s 444 acres of wetlands, prairies, and forests.

As a conservation dog, Tilia’s job is simple yet extraordinary: she sniffs out invasive and endangered species, a task far beyond the capabilities of even the most trained humans. “Dogs in general already have up to 200 million olfactory sensors,” said Cory Gritzmacher, the preserve’s director of operations. By comparison, humans have a mere 5 million.

It’s really just finding a dog that’s motivated, that wants to do it on a regular basis and is excited to do it,” he said.

Tilia, who started her training as a puppy, quickly proved she was the perfect pup for the job. Her main task involves detecting wild parsnip, an invasive plant species. Unlike humans, who often miss this tricky plant until its second year, Tilia can locate it in its first year when it’s still hidden among other vegetation. This early detection is critical to preventing the parsnip from spreading across the preserve.

Cory Gritzmacher walks with Tilia at the Mequon Nature Preserve. Photo by Angela Major/WPR

But Tilia’s talents don’t stop there. She’s also trained to find endangered species, like the Blue-Spotted and Eastern Tiger Salamanders, helping staff monitor and protect these vulnerable creatures. And with plans to expand her repertoire to include bees, crayfish, and even tree diseases, Tilia’s potential seems limitless.

“Canines are going to start to play a huge role in the conservation field just because of their amazing detection skills,” Gritzmacher said. This is especially true in cases where resources are limited, and vast areas need to be searched efficiently.

Training Tilia was no small feat, but it all began with simple exercises, like hiding treats in cardboard boxes. Over time, the process became more complex, culminating in what Gritzmacher calls “pairing” scents with rewards. Now, at nearly seven years old, Tilia is a seasoned pro at scent detection.

From left is Tilia and Timber. Photo by Mequon Nature Preserve

Her dedication doesn’t go unnoticed. “The best-trained volunteers or staff in the world won’t even be able to find what a canine can,” Gritzmacher said. And while she may work hard, Tilia gets to enjoy plenty of downtime as the family dog for the preserve’s director.

Tilia has also inspired a new generation of conservation canines. Timber, a chocolate lab descended from Tilia’s sister, has joined the team to help with land restoration efforts. Together, Tilia and Timber represent a promising future for conservation work. Whether she’s chasing scents or salamanders, Tilia’s contributions are invaluable. As Gritzmacher put it, “Who doesn’t want to go to work with a dog?”

Sources: Wisconsin Life | Good Good Good