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Early Inquiry
Citizens of all ages can become NatureMappers. Early inquiry is
usually through the website to learn more about the Program.
Participating in a Bioblitz is exciting and can be an entry point to
wanting to learn more...through NatureMapping.
Bioblitz
Bioblitzes are usually 24-hour inventories of a specific area. Experts from different taxa (e.g., bird, mammals, insects, plants, bats, fungi, etc.) collect data using NatureTracker data collection software that provides exact locations of the observations at the end of the bioblitz. Citizens are invited to help on the taxa teams.
Data collection and monitoring
Progressive workshops are provided to let a NatureMapper go as far as they would like or stop at a certain level of participation. Groups such as Seattle Audubon or the Crescent Valley Alliance just submit data to the Program from various outings. NatureMappers learn to complete and submit their sightings in the two-day Data Collection and Monitoring Workshop.
Teachers may take a Teacher Preparation Workshop before the Data Collection and Monitoring Workshop to become more familiar with the terminology and skills needed to train their students.
NatureMappers can take the next workshop the following month, wait for a while, or just stay at the data collection and submission stage.
Project Design
How to ask a scientific question and then plan a project around that question is the focus of this workshop. NatureMappers may develop their own projects or become involved in a research project initiated by a field researcher.
Facilitation and Technology
As NatureMappers progress with their own or outside research projects, there is a need for additional workshops. Sometimes, the previous two workshops are conducted again, with a focus on what is needed for the research project, usually with an emphasis on the use of technological tools (e.g., GPS, GIS, spreadsheet analyses, NatureTracker software).
Additional workshops/training usually takes place to meet the skills necessary for the researcher. This may include learning how to read tracks in the snow, how to create transects, and advances technology such as radio-collaring and tracking animals.
These trainings progress over time. Project CAT is an 8-year study, Adopt-a-Farmer is an on-going project that branches out with new research questions about every two years.
NatureMapping Training Workshops are Available >>
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