COMMUNITY SCIENCE

Participate in conservation science in your community!

CURRENT PROJECTS

 

We share the Pacific Northwest with an astounding array of wildlife who inspire many unanswered questions, like…as the PNW heats up, how do frogs fare? Where do local bats like to snack and snooze? How do bobcats and coyotes navigate our ever-expanding cities? That’s where you come in! Volunteer researchers like you act as scientists to gather a wealth of data about the amazing animals right here at home. Your community science efforts help us better understand, conserve and coexist with the wildlife who also call the PNW home. Even better, we make the data you gather publicly available so that anyone can use it!

Maybe you want to gain hands-on experience with non-invasive research practices or new technologies. Perhaps you want to help with wildlife conservation from your computer. Or maybe you just want motivation to get out in nature once a month! Whatever your reason, we have a community science opportunity for you! Join us!

Woodland Park Zoo’s Living Northwest conservation program prioritizes participatory, inclusive opportunities so that everyone can take an active role in Pacific Northwest wildlife monitoring and conservation. See below for more details on our Community Science strategy. If you need an accommodation to fully participate in any of these programs, please contact us at monitoring@zoo.org to discuss possibilities.

 



Amphibian Monitoring

Who: 12 years and older
What: Wade in wetlands, take photos, submit data
When: January – July, training in January

Join a team of fellow amphibian enthusiasts once a month to monitor when and where frogs and salamanders are breeding in Snohomish and King counties. The more we learn, the better we can protect the vanishing wetlands of Washington and their amphibian inhabitants.


Get involved! Explore Data



Bat Activity Trends

Who: All ages
What: Observe the night sky for bats, submit data
When: July-September, 30 minutes after sunset from anywhere you can see the sky

Do you ever wonder…why are bats important? Where do they live? Are there bats in my neighborhood? How do I tell a bird from a bat at night? Learn the answers to these questions and help us answer the question: Where and when are bats active around Washington?


Get involved! Explore Data

 



Carnivore Spotter

Seattle Urban Carnivore Project


Who: All ages
What: Submit observations of urban carnivores
When: Any time

Share your photos and videos on Carnivore Spotter of black bear, bobcat, cougar/mountain lion, coyote, opossum, raccoon, river otter and red fox. Help expand our understanding of how urban carnivores live and interact with people across urban and suburban areas in the Seattle region and explore sightings on the map to learn about your wildlife neighbors. No account needed! (For the best experience, please use Carnivore Spotter in Chrome or Firefox.)


GET INVOLVED!



Camera Trapping

Seattle Urban Carnivore Project


Who: 9 years and older
What: Hike to site, maintain a motion-triggered camera, submit data
When: Year-long, training in March

Join a team of fellow carnivore fans for monthly visits to check a wildlife camera trap. Help us to explore how mammalian carnivores, such as coyotes, raccoons, bobcats, and even cougars and bears live and interact with people across urban and suburban areas in the Seattle region.


Get Involved Explore Data

 



City Nature Challenge

Who: All ages
What: Take photos, submit data, identify images
When: Last Friday in April through the following Monday

Woodland Park Zoo is thrilled to help mobilize people across the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area to join the City Nature Challenge – a nature observation event using the iNaturalist app. Explore independently or join an event to connect with wildlife near you. Show the world how biodiverse our region is by making observations and identifications during this global bioblitz!


Get involved! Explore Data

PAST PROJECTS

 

 

Otter Spotter

River otters are sentinels of ecological health found in water systems all over Washington state. From 2016 to 2019, we asked for your help to spot them!

See the results

Our Mission

Woodland Park Zoo saves wildlife and inspires everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.

Land Acknowledgment

Woodland Park Zoo recognizes that these are the lands of the Tribal signatories of the Treaty of Point Elliott. We acknowledge their stewardship of this place continues to this day and that it is our responsibility to join them to restore the relationship with the living world around us.


5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103   |  206.548.2500  |   zooinfo@zoo.org


Association of Zoos & Aquariums
Seattle Parks & Recreation
Humane Certification