Here at Rocky Mountain Wild, we engage community scientist to do important research that informs our conservation work. Volunteers partner with scientists to answer real-world questions about the problems facing wildlife and biodiversity in our region.
Community science allows scientists at Rocky Mountain Wild and partner institutions to expand the amount of scientific data that we can collect, conduct long-term research over large geographic areas, and focus on some our region’s most pressing questions. Professional scientists at Rocky Mountain Wild and elsewhere don’t have the capacity to do this research alone, and volunteers participating in community science programs are making major contributions to advancing science and conservation in our region and across the globe.
Volunteers get an opportunity to get outside, learn, meet new people, and make a meaningful contribution to science and conservation.
Do you want to be a community scientist? Join one of our community science projects:
Colorado Bat Watch: Colorado Bat Watch was developed by Rocky Mountain Wild in collaboration with bat experts from the U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Natural Heritage Program, and the North American Bat Monitoring Program. This program recruits and engages community scientists to collect data that will enable these agencies to monitor bat species over time and better understand the impacts of white-nose syndrome and other threats on local bat populations.
Colorado Corridors Project: The Colorado Corridors Project is an initiative of Rocky Mountain Wild and Denver Zoo to engage volunteers in wildlife monitoring at the proposed crossing structure sites. Volunteers assist with setting up and checking remote-triggered cameras in the field as well as identifying and cataloging species captured on the cameras through Zooniverse. The wildlife data that volunteers help us collect through this project will be used to assess the effectiveness of the I-70 East Vail Pass Wildlife Crossings by comparing data collected before and after construction of the overpass.
Colorado Pika Project: Volunteer community scientists (known as Pika Patrollers) hike to high-altitude field sites to collect data on the presence of pikas and the characteristics of their habitat. Our community scientists have been visiting some of these sites for a decade, which has provided critical data to land managers and researchers about the distribution and habitat use of pika. Through the dedication of CPP volunteers, we can not only track how climate change is impacting pika, but find solutions to any potential threats.
Go Big! Central Colorado Bighorn Sheep Survey: The Central Colorado Bighorn Sheep Survey engages communities in recording observations of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, domestic sheep, and domestic goats in Central Colorado. The data collected by volunteers participating in the project will inform conservation strategies for Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep in Central Colorado.
