Citizen Science: Wildlife Observation Data Collection
Many people enjoy observing wildlife in a variety of different ways. Occasionally there are opportunities for you to help the Bureau of Wildlife collect valuable data. In some cases this may require special effort but, in many cases all that is required is recording what you see while bird watching, hunting, hiking, scouting, etc. See the links below and in the right hand columm of this page for current volunteer opportunities and results of past efforts.
How You Can Help
- Volunteers are needed to help with Assessing Vegetation Impacts from Deer (AVID) (leaves DEC website).
- Submit your sightings of amphibians crossing roads in the spring.
- Record observations and trail camera photos of black bears and other mammals to help biologists study the distribution and abundance of these species in New York. Visit the iSeeMammals website (leaves DEC website) to learn how.
More about Citizen Science: Wildlife Observation Data Collection:
- Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey - Spring turkey hunters can help monitor ruffed grouse populations by recording their observations while afield.
- Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey - This annual survey conducted during August helps us to gauge reproductive success by estimating the average number of wild turkey poults (young of the year) per hen statewide and among major geographic regions of the State.
- Furbearer Sighting Surveys - The Bureau of Wildlife wants to learn more about the occurrence and distribution of furbearers throughout New York.
- Grouse and Woodcock Hunting Log - Grouse and woodcock hunters keep a log of their hunting activities to help track populations of these great game birds.
- Bowhunter Sighting Log - Bowhunter participation provides information on long term population trends for selected wildlife species.
- New England Cottontail Survey - Rabbit hunters in Rensselaer, Columbia, Dutchess, Putnam, and Westchester counties can participate in a survey to help determine the distribution of New England cottontails.
- Wilson Hill Goose Drive - Annual Wilson Hill Goose Drive conducted around the end of June.
