2024 Citizen Science Final Report
Baginski D, Belt J, Melton C, Merluccio J. 2024. 2024 Citizen Science Final Report. National Park Service. West Glacier, MT
Since 2006, the Citizen Science Program at Glacier National Park has collected valuable data on emblematic wildlife species that call the park home. Armed with binoculars and spotting scopes, volunteers from the local community and beyond, travel to every corner of the park to collect data on focal species. Public participation in these research projects significantly increases the capacity of park biologists to monitor wildlife and strengthens community engagement in 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. While ours was one of the first, there are a growing number of active citizen science projects in the National Park Service (NPS); visit the NPS Citizen Science webpage to read more about the contributions of citizen scientists in parks. The Glacier National Park Citizen Science Program runs three long-term studies, hosts bioblitzes and supports collaborative research. 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). A two-year research collaboration on American pikas (Ochotona princeps) was also recently completed.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Baginski, Deanna; Belt, Jami; Melton, Campbell; Merluccio, Julie
- Date of Issue
- 2024
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- CRCO , GLAC
- Keywords
- citizen science, population trends, surveys, volunteers