The Importance of Community Science

Community Science Is Crucial to Local Conservation Efforts

Utah's wildlife and wildlands are facing an onslaught of threats, from development to climate change. At the same time, state and federal land and wildlife agencies who are charged with conserving and managing our wildlife are working with shrinking budgets and fewer and fewer staff.

That's where community science comes in. To meet the needs of our wildlife, we train dedicated members of the community to collect important data about wildlife and their habitats.

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These data fill crucial information gaps that land and wildlife agencies, local government, and other stakeholders need to make the best decisions for both humans and wildlife.

The results of this work lead to:

  • Proposals for wildlife over- and underpasses in areas with high numbers of human-wildlife collisions

  • Development planning that preserves wildlife migration patterns, distribution, and habitat

  • Protection of important habitat for threatened species

  • And much more

Showing Up for Conservation

So far this year, over 240 volunteers donated more than 3,176 hours collecting data for conservation. The work of these community scientists increase our ability to fill crucial wildlife and habitat data gaps informing conservation management in Utah.

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Support Trainings for Community Volunteers

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The year may be winding down, but we're not! With our exciting Black Rosy-finch study that began last winter and more projects on the horizon, we look forward to training community scientists to become local leaders in conservation.

To continue training volunteers, we're depending on your support. Giving Tuesday is the perfect day to make a gift for conservation by becoming a monthly donor.

A monthly commitment of $10, $25, $75, or another amount gives our team a dependable base fund, allowing us more flexibility and certainty as we plan our conservation projects. Additionally, a monthly donation is a way to have a consistent impact on conserving Utah's wildlife and wildlands.

Will you become a monthly donor to make more of these vital conservation projects possible? Visit our website to begin your monthly gift.

P.S. Our partners at Patagonia are matching all gifts made on our Patagonia Action Works profile through December 31st. Visit our profile to double your donation today!

Sarah Woodbury