Citizen science is the involvement of people who are not professional scientists in real forms of scientific study. It can be a great process for interested and concerned people in a community to contribute to studying and solving a natural resource issue. When it comes to wildlife corridors in Virginia, there is a lot of science to be done! Oftentimes, we need to document wildlife use of particular corridors in order to demonstrate a need for mitigation measures like roadside fencing or wildlife-friendly culverts. In addition, sometimes we need to document the effectiveness of these kinds of mitigation measures after they are installed so that we can determine whether they have been effective at reducing wildlife collisions. In some cases, local community members and volunteers (citizen scientists) can provide valuable assistance in gathering these data. The exact nature of the citizen science opportunity depends on the particular location and project.
For example, Virginia Master Naturalist (VMN) volunteers are assisting Albemarle County with a year-long monitoring study of wildlife-car collisions on Highway 29 where it traverses the southern end of the county. The area is recognized as a Conservation Focus Area in the county’s Biodiversity Action Plan. Pairs of VMN volunteers are following a standardized protocol to conduct twice-weekly driving surveys during which they document animal sightings (both live and roadkill) using an online app. You can even see their data online in real time!
In another example of how citizen scientists can make a difference for wildlife corridors, volunteers partnered with the National Park Service in 2021 to monitor turtle mortality on the Colonial National Historical Park’s driving tour road at Jamestown Island. Volunteers monitored the entire 5-mile tour road on foot, bicycle, or car twice a day throughout the summer and early fall. Again, the volunteers follow specific protocols designed to fit the particular project. In this case, the data they collect will help guide a future park management plan to reduce turtle mortality. Their citizen science has short-term consequences as well—a report of 6 or more dead turtles in a day triggers closure of the tour road to cars for a day or more, as it indicates an increase in activity. Contact Michelle Prysby <[email protected]> to learn more.
For example, Virginia Master Naturalist (VMN) volunteers are assisting Albemarle County with a year-long monitoring study of wildlife-car collisions on Highway 29 where it traverses the southern end of the county. The area is recognized as a Conservation Focus Area in the county’s Biodiversity Action Plan. Pairs of VMN volunteers are following a standardized protocol to conduct twice-weekly driving surveys during which they document animal sightings (both live and roadkill) using an online app. You can even see their data online in real time!
In another example of how citizen scientists can make a difference for wildlife corridors, volunteers partnered with the National Park Service in 2021 to monitor turtle mortality on the Colonial National Historical Park’s driving tour road at Jamestown Island. Volunteers monitored the entire 5-mile tour road on foot, bicycle, or car twice a day throughout the summer and early fall. Again, the volunteers follow specific protocols designed to fit the particular project. In this case, the data they collect will help guide a future park management plan to reduce turtle mortality. Their citizen science has short-term consequences as well—a report of 6 or more dead turtles in a day triggers closure of the tour road to cars for a day or more, as it indicates an increase in activity. Contact Michelle Prysby <[email protected]> to learn more.