Announcing Our Volunteers of the Year
You—our friends, volunteers, and donors—have made this the best summer season ever on our projects supporting the conservation of Utah's wildlife and lands. Thank you.
From attending live web trainings to completing difficult field work, our community scientists went above and beyond this year. We're grateful to note that our engagement increased this season, despite COVID-added complexities.
Missed our Volunteer Celebration? Meet some of the Volunteers of the Year we highlighted and learn more about our projects below.
A boreal toad is carefully examined in the field. Photo: Sarah Woodbury
Overall Volunteers of the Year
Ian and Spencer Schofield, our Overall Volunteers of the Year, are a father-son team who have been involved with our Wasatch Wildlife Watch project since it started in 2018.
While monitoring just one camera on the project is difficult enough, they're currently operating six—four of which are located on the I-80 wildlife overpass at the top of Parleys Summit. During our celebration, Spencer recalled an impressive list of wildlife they've seen in their work: bobcats, deer, moose, skunks, porcupines, rabbits, squirrels, foxes, owls, hawks, chipmunks, ermine, and snowshoe hares.
"Science-based research supports opportunity in the field for hunters and anglers, but it also supports decision-making for public land access, which is really important to our family. ...We feel like we have a greater connection to the communities around us, knowing that the data sets are going to be used for decision-making in the future of the Wasatch Front. That really empowers us and is exciting." -Ian and Spencer Schofield
They also contribute through uploading camera trap photos to eMammal, where they then analyze and classify captured images. Additionally, as the project has recently expanded to allow for year-round monitoring of cameras, they are excited to extend their work into the rest of the year.
We're grateful for their dedication to this project, which supports a brighter future for wildlife in the Wasatch.
Stream and Riparian Restoration Volunteer of the Year
"Beaver Dam Analogues are such a tangible way to connect with your local watershed and really see an impact across the spectrum of experience."
-Melissa Early, Stream and Riparian Restoration Volunteer of the Year
Melissa Early, our Stream & Riparian Restoration Volunteer of the Year, joined our volunteer ranks in September 2019. Since then, she has not only volunteered on our stream restoration projects, but has also facilitated a new and important partnership with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. Her work developing this partnership has allowed us to reach new volunteers, who have already been an important addition to this project, and increase our impact on important habitats for fish and wildlife.
We're grateful for all she does for Utah's streams, from writing grants to getting more volunteers out to have a vital, boots-on-the-ground impact on their watersheds.
Boreal Toad Volunteer of the Year
Sabrina Haney, our Boreal Toad Habitat Assessments Volunteer of the Year, began her work as a community scientist with us just this year. She has already become deeply involved across multiple projects: Wasatch Wildlife Watch, Boreal Toad Habitat Assessments, and Plants & Pollinators.
On our boreal toad project, she has taken on many independent sites, searching for the cryptic toad across the Wasatch and documenting the conditions of potential sites for this sensitive species.
We're grateful for the many miles she and her daughter have dedicated to this project and her impact on the future of Utah's boreal toads.
"We hiked a lot this summer for all of these projects and had a really fun year being involved."
-Sabrina Haney, Boreal Toad Volunteer of the Year
Wasatch Wildlife Watch Volunteer of the Year
"I love the Wasatch and all its trails, so I was excited to take on some of the more technical sites. This is a special thing for me to be a part of. I feel really lucky."
-Joseph Smith, Wasatch Wildlife Watch Volunteer of the Year
Joseph Smith, our Wasatch Wildlife Watch Volunteer of the Year, has spent three years in a row as part of this project monitoring wildlife movement in the Wasatch. Originally introduced to Wasatch Wildlife Watch by a family member, he has become a deeply involved community scientist who offers a huge amount to the project.
From taking on some of the most difficult camera sites to monitoring sites in the winter that no one else could access, Joseph has dedicated many hours that have moved the project forward considerably.
The three latest manuscripts related to Wasatch Wildlife Watch will all include personal acknowledgements of Joseph to honor all he has done for Utah's wildlife.
Black Rosy-Finch Volunteer of the Year
Kris Purdy, our Black Rosy-Finch Volunteer of the Year, is a master birder and central part of this project. Though she has maintained the Powder Ridge Village feeder since 2009, the site became part of our work in 2019 when the Black Rosy-Finch Project was founded.
She's excited to see the coming season's increasing contributions from the feeder she maintains as well as the others throughout Weber County.
An expert on rosy-finches and a dedicated community scientist, Kris has helped establish and further our work answering questions about this species.
"I’m so looking forward to the rosy-finches arriving by the thousands in late October in the Powder Mountain area."
-Kris Purdy, Black Rosy-Finch Volunteer of the Year
Plants & Pollinators Volunteer of the Year
"Visiting the same site multiple times, watching the changes that occur, and finding new flowers or signs of monarchs is like a treasure hunt every time."
-Courtney Johnson, Plants & Pollinators Volunteer of the Year
Courtney Johnson, our Plants and Pollinators Volunteer of the Year, started her work with us just this year, but has gone above and beyond as a community scientist and already become a vital part of this project.
Over multiple visits throughout the season, she has gathered many data points at her stewardship sites at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. She even documented tiny monarch eggs and larvae in the milkweed patches!
In addition to her work in the field, she has spread the word on this and our other projects, allowing us to engage more community scientists. We're grateful for her passionate work conserving sensitive pollinators in the West.
We're deeply grateful for these volunteers. They have each dedicated considerable time and energy to conserving wildlife. Along with our other volunteers and donors, these individuals continue to inspire our team and make our work possible. Thank you!
We continue to offer COVID-safe projects to help increasing numbers of volunteers get outside and make a difference for conservation in their communities. We ask that if you're able to, you consider donating to sustain their important work.
Fall Stream Restoration Projects in Full Swing
A volunteer carries willows to build a beaver dam analogue (BDA). BDAs create habitat for wildlife and heal degraded western landscapes. Photo: Lindsay Aman
Thank you to everyone who has joined us so far on our stream restoration projects. We've loved doing this important work with you and appreciate your commitment to social distancing in the field.
We still have openings on our upcoming fall projects! Join us for hands-on restoration work in Utah’s degraded streams. It’s a fun, socially distanced day outdoors, and no experience or prior training is necessary.
Not all of us can volunteer, due to COVID-19 concerns, varying physical ability, and scheduling differences—and that's okay! Consider becoming a monthly donor to sustain this important work healing western streams.
Our Current Projects
Want to get involved in wildlife conservation in Utah? Check out our projects below to get started.
Utah Pollinator Pursuit Project Opportunistic Surveys
Commitment Level: Easy
Stream & Riparian Restoration Projects
Commitment Level: Easy - Moderate (one-day projects)
Wasatch Wildlife Watch Image Analysis
Commitment Level: Easy - Moderate
Thank you for making our conservation projects possible. We're grateful for your dedication to Utah's wildlife and lands.
If you are in a position to give, please consider donating to ensure that this vital work continues.
Thank you so much for your dedication to Utah's unique wildlife. This work is only possible because of your generosity.
Visit the project page on our website to learn more about our conservation work, and please contact us with any questions.
A huge thanks to our friends at Recreation Outlet, who donated product to help us thank our Volunteers of the Year.
You can visit their website here.