2023 Citizen Science in Glacier National Park
Baginski D, Belt J, Kraus E, Roodenrijs H. 2023. 2023 Citizen Science in Glacier National Park. National Park Service. West Glacier, MT
Since 2006, the Citizen Science Program at Glacier National Park has been collecting valuable data on emblematic species that call the park home. Armed with binoculars and spotting scopes, volunteers from the local community and beyond travel throughout every corner of the park to collect data on focal wildlife species. Public participation in these research projects increases the number of surveys done and community engagement in wildlife conservation in Glacier. Studies show that large numbers of volunteers can cover more ground than a small team of biologists while collecting data of comparable quality. The Glacier National Park Citizen Science Program has three long-term studies. We collect population and nesting data on Common Loons (Gavia immer), population trend and distribution of mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) and bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), and document migrating raptors, especially Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), at our official Hawk Watch sites. This year we added a project focused on genetic sampling and habitat use to our monitoring of American Pike (Ochotona princeps). Each year, the Citizen Science program also organizes a Bioblitz, which focused on nocturnal pollinators this year, as well as a Noxious Weed Blitz, and sampling mercury levels in dragonflies.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Baginski, Deanna; Belt, Jami; Kraus, Emmeline; Roodenrijs, Hannah
- Date of Issue
- 2023
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- CRCO , GLAC
- Keywords
- citizen science, population trends, surveys, volunteers