Introduction national 2007

What is “Wildlife”?: 

What is “Wildlife”?

What is “Wildlife” in the U.S.?: 

What is “Wildlife” in the U.S.? States generally limit “wildlife” to animals, e.g., “all members of the animal kingdom” (Hawaii) Some states further limit wildlife to specified animals: “vertebrates, mollusks, and crustaceans” (Colorado) “any non-domestic mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, mollusk, or crustacean” (New Mexico) “fish, wild birds, amphibians, reptiles, and wild mammals” (Oregon)

More Definitive U.S. “Wildlife”: 

More Definitive U.S. “Wildlife” “every living creature, not human, wild by nature, endowed with sensation and power of voluntary motion” except “fish”* (Maryland). *however, “fish” includes crustaceans, mollusks, amphibians, and reptiles.

A State Definition of “Fish”: 

A State Definition of “Fish” “Fish” includes “any plant . . . that grows or lives in or upon the water” (Pennsylvania)

Slide5: 

What is Citizen Science? National NatureMapping “It is the variety of life that we depend upon” - Karen Dvornich What is NatureMapping/WildlifeMapping? What is Biodiversity? “Public engagement in research” - Cornell Bird Lab & others A citizen science program that asks the public “What do you see and where do you see it?” and do you want to be involved in answering the following question? “How do we know if our efforts to be better stewards on our lands is working?” NatureMappers learn how to apply their research data for the environment

Conceptual NatureMapping: 

Conceptual NatureMapping A variety of audiences involved with different yet similar aspects of the Program K-12 students and teachers Communities Individuals Researchers These are NatureMappers 11/25/2000

Through Regional Learning Centers: 

Through Regional Learning Centers NatureMappers will receive Training Materials Support Facilitators at NatureMapping Learning Centers will Conduct workshops in their regions Act as a resource to local NatureMappers Facilitate local research projects

Structure of the NatureMapping Program : 

Structure of the NatureMapping Program Program developmental partnerships Working partnerships Audience

Program Development Partnerships: 

Program Development Partnerships U.S. Geological Survey/Gap Analysis Program University of Washington Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries Iowa State University Session leaders

Working Partnerships: 

Working Partnerships National Centers within other states State Natural Resource Agencies Counties Local Audubon Schools NGO’s Individuals Communities

NatureMapping Participants: 

NatureMapping Participants Learn to ask scientific questions Work on field research projects lead by scientist Develop your own research projects

Education and Research: 

Education and Research Education NM 101 – Teacher Prep Level I – Data Collection & Monitoring Level II – Project Design Level III – Research & Analysis Research Community data collection & analyses Agency partnerships University research

The History of NatureMapping: 

The History of NatureMapping 1992 – GAP Analysis Project asked volunteers, Audubon members and retired resource professionals, to collect wildlife and habitat data 1993 – GAP and WDFW asked 23 teachers to collect wildlife and habitat data using volunteer data collection protocols 1994 – NatureMapping was created as the GAP outreach program and WDFW citizen monitoring program 2000 – NatureMapping becomes national and global!!!

The tools to make it work: 

The tools to make it work The NatureMapping Program has data collection protocols emerging technologies workshops for each Module Modules – a component of biodiversity Website – links the Modules

Modules : 

Modules Wildlife Water Fish Habitats/Plants/Soil Insects Climate Biodiversity

Wildlife Module: 

Wildlife Module Animal identification/Search image Habitat identification Wildlife/Habitat association Mapping Data collection and monitoring Feedback

Water ‘Module’ - Web-based: 

Water ‘Module’ - Web-based Utilizing existing programs (Project WET/WILD) Data collection -Water quality testing -Benthic macroinvertebrates -Noxious weeds -Physical stream surveys Educational materials Online data entry

Website: 

Website Guidelines Habitat Associations Monitoring Species Identification Maps References and Resources Online data entry Download data

Slide19: 

Links diverse groups together through active participation in science and the use of emerging technologies… Retired natural resource professionals… …Informal Science Learning Centers

Results K-12 Evaluation: 

Results K-12 Evaluation NM students learned: more about nature and environmental stewardship about their local communities and agencies how human activities impact nature how to ask questions how to analyze and communicate results Non NM students learned that outdoor activities: increased their awareness of trash taught them recreation skills exposed them to hard work K-12 session

Expanding Our Knowledge… …a student’s perspective: 

Expanding Our Knowledge… …a student’s perspective “Thank you very much for showing me there is a bigger world out there just waiting to be explored.” -Suzanne E. 8th grader “I never knew that science was actually interesting.” -Matt R. 8th grader “I want to thank you for letting us know that what we do is actually important to the state and that we really do matter.” -Joel W. 7th grader

Expanding Our Knowledge……a teacher’s perspective: 

Expanding Our Knowledge… …a teacher’s perspective “Focusing the curriculum on the immediate environment and encouraging students to respond creatively to learning opportunities in their community through activities in geography, mathematics, sciences, and the arts has truly brought learning to life for my students.” - Edward McCarthy Orchard Prairie School

Expanding Our Knowledge……a private citizen’s perspective: 

Expanding Our Knowledge… …a private citizen’s perspective “Thanks again for your help. Over the long haul NatureMapping can make a significant difference for a more healthy, thriving and restorative Little Spokane Watershed, not to mention our entire region.” - Easy

NatureMappers collect a lot of Wildlife data!: 

NatureMappers collect a lot of Wildlife data! 110,000 records 39,224 records 39,728 records Data session

Data Validity: 

Data Validity “I'm amazed at the size of the NatureMapping dataset. I'm impressed with the efficiency of your error checking.  The procedure looks good, and I haven't seen anything in the datasets that was really glaring.” Data Management

Data Validity: 

Data Validity The NatureMapping dataset reminds me of the USFWS Breeding Bird Survey.  As soon as data became available in the 1960s and 70s, people started using it with good success.  In recent years, the depth of the dataset has greatly increased its value.  And the tools we now have for database analysis and mapping have made analysis much easier.  I hope you can continue to find ways to tap into new data sources Data Management

NatureMapping Data Applications: 

NatureMapping Data Applications Pacific Northwest reGAP – 110,000 peer reviewed records DNR Endangered Species modeling Pierce County acceptance of WA-GAP predicted vertebrate maps with NatureMapping current occurrence data Assessing WA-GAP distribution maps Re-evaluating the life history and range of the Short-horned lizard

NatureMapping Data Applications: 

NatureMapping Data Applications Down-zoning areas within Pierce County Urban Growth Area Augment local city and private landowners bioblitz inventories School & community projects K-12 & Projects Session

Distribution of Web UsersMar-May 2007: 

Distribution of Web Users Mar-May 2007 Web Session

Slide30: 

NatureMapping is more than collecting data for research

Slide31: 

Agenda Sessions Monday K-12 Education Master Naturalist Tuesday Bioblitz and NatureTracker Data Web tools Projects Wednesday Partnerships Summary Field trip

Slide32: 

Funding – Statewide Programs Current State specific Grants Adjusted workloads of existing personnel New positions Future Assistance through NatureMapping Program

Slide33: 

NatureMapping Foundation History Non-profit 501(c)(3) Created in 2004 by NatureMapping co-founders Encouraged by University of Washington to develop Possible for-profit opportunities Needed NatureMapping to first define itself NMF is not a separate program, but an integral part of the NatureMapping Program

Slide34: 

NatureMapping Foundation Current $51,000 via 3 grants – project focused Workshop fees & materials (catalog of products) Developing a business plan testing on pilot NatureMapping Learning Center 3 Board members – goal of 15 for Development Committee Business plan National with local offices

Slide35: 

NatureMapping Foundation Services Member services NatureTracker software updates NatureTracker advanced training Customized reports, maps, web pages Support, support, support