Glacier National Park Mountain Goat Pellet Citizen Science

Glacier National Park; Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center

This form and associated feature layer contains points collected by Glacier National Park (Montana) Citizen Science volunteers and staff to document mountain goat and bighorn sheep detections and genetic pellet sample collections. This Citizen Science form enables volunteers and park staff to record mountain goat population data and record pellet collection while in the field. It includes questions regarding survey conditions (weather, date, number of people present, etc.), contains a feature layer map to mark observer location as well as animal location, animal counts, pellet collection questions, and an exit page inquiring about the potential use of Gaia program. This survey is intended for use within Glacier National Park, Montana. This project was created using Survey123 and is managed by the Glacier National Park Citizen Science team in the Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center. The resulting data from submitted surveys is used to compile final reports regarding mountain goat baseline population estimates, population trends, and geographic distribution. Collected pellets are also processed for laboratory genetic analysis. Data is collected by citizen science volunteers and student and service groups. Data is QA/QC’d by Glacier National Park Citizen Science staff and backed up monthly. Basic Purpose: 2023 Glacier National Park Citizen Science Mountain Goat sightings and pellet collection form for genetic population structure analysis. Dataset Format: Form and feature layer Time period: Data collected between 2023 to present