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CITIZEN-SCIENTIST \u2013 Skill Level: Three<\/h4>\n![\"Ariel](\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2020\/04\/corridors.jpg\")
Corridors used by wildlife<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nActivity<\/strong>:<\/p>\nHidden Highways<\/strong><\/h4>\n <\/p>\n
Objective<\/strong>:\u00a0 Use web based mapping tools and investigation to discover \u00a0and assist in repairing potential breaks in wildlife corridors,\u00a0 \u201chidden highways.\u201d
\nScience Skills<\/strong>: Using technology, making inferences, establishing a hypothesis, conducting a restoration experiment
\nLife Skills<\/strong>: \u00a0communicating, \u00a0\u00a0partnering with other organizations<\/p>\nPreparation Activities:<\/strong>
\nReview Safety precautions regarding wildlife<\/p>\nWhat You Will Need<\/strong><\/p>\nActivity 1:\u00a0 Map Search
\n<\/strong>Download Google Earth<\/a>
\nEnter your zip code then try to zoom in until you can find where you live
\nZoom out and examine the area where you are.<\/p>\nDoes your neighborhood have opportunities for wildlife to move undetected?
\nWhich kinds of animals are best suited for movement in your area? Which ones would be at a disadvantage?<\/p>\n
Moving from a national forest or park boundary towards where you live, where do you identify the earliest interruptions in opportunities for wildlife to move freely?<\/p>\n
Visit areas that might be interruptions in animal corridors and look for evidence of wildlife approaching the edges. (Consider doing a few prolonged observation periods.)<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Activity 2: Everybody\u2019s Watching!
\n<\/strong>If the thought of patiently pursing the tracks of elusive animals is too much for the youthful and energetic members of your group, they may respond positively to gathering data on species sightings for one of several collective on-line databases such as the UW Nature Mapping program or the National Wildlife Federation\u2019s Wildlife Watch.<\/p>\nEach program has their own parameters for wildlife reporting so check with the individual sites.<\/p>\n
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Activity 3: Assist in Corridor and Habitat Restoration<\/strong>
\nContact one of the organizations listed in\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s All Connected\u201d to find out more about your area and other areas in your area that are have a high priority for habitat conservation, and what you can do to help!<\/span><\/p>\nRestorations on public and private lands may be regulated, and working through these organizations will help make sure your project is a success.<\/p>\n
Activity 4: Improving your Backyard Habitat<\/strong><\/p>\nIf after several months you are not seeing much evidence of wildlife passing your area, you may want to do a habitat evaluation and consider engaging youth in a few projects that would make the area more hospitable and welcoming to various wildlife.<\/p>\n
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Additional Resources:<\/strong>
\n4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program<\/a>\u00a0(pdf)<\/em>
\nUS Fish and Wildlife Schoolyard Habitat Project Guide<\/a>\u00a0(pdf)<\/em><\/p>\n\n
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<\/h5>\nFinished this Activity?<\/strong><\/h5>\nComplete this survey<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Explore More<\/strong><\/h5>\nWDFW Backyard Sanctuaries<\/a><\/p>\nNWF Backyard Habitats<\/a><\/p>\nBird Source<\/a><\/p>\nCity of Bellingham – Landscaping for Wildlife list of books<\/a><\/p>\nDepartment of Fish and Wildlife<\/a><\/p>\n
Activity<\/strong>:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Objective<\/strong>:\u00a0 Use web based mapping tools and investigation to discover \u00a0and assist in repairing potential breaks in wildlife corridors,\u00a0 \u201chidden highways.\u201d Preparation Activities:<\/strong> What You Will Need<\/strong><\/p>\n Activity 1:\u00a0 Map Search Does your neighborhood have opportunities for wildlife to move undetected? Moving from a national forest or park boundary towards where you live, where do you identify the earliest interruptions in opportunities for wildlife to move freely?<\/p>\n Visit areas that might be interruptions in animal corridors and look for evidence of wildlife approaching the edges. (Consider doing a few prolonged observation periods.)<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Activity 2: Everybody\u2019s Watching! Each program has their own parameters for wildlife reporting so check with the individual sites.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Activity 3: Assist in Corridor and Habitat Restoration<\/strong> Restorations on public and private lands may be regulated, and working through these organizations will help make sure your project is a success.<\/p>\n Activity 4: Improving your Backyard Habitat<\/strong><\/p>\n If after several months you are not seeing much evidence of wildlife passing your area, you may want to do a habitat evaluation and consider engaging youth in a few projects that would make the area more hospitable and welcoming to various wildlife.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Additional Resources:<\/strong> \n <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n Complete this survey<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n WDFW Backyard Sanctuaries<\/a><\/p>\n NWF Backyard Habitats<\/a><\/p>\n Bird Source<\/a><\/p>\n City of Bellingham – Landscaping for Wildlife list of books<\/a><\/p>\n Department of Fish and Wildlife<\/a><\/p>\nHidden Highways<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\nScience Skills<\/strong>: Using technology, making inferences, establishing a hypothesis, conducting a restoration experiment
\nLife Skills<\/strong>: \u00a0communicating, \u00a0\u00a0partnering with other organizations<\/p>\n
\nReview Safety precautions regarding wildlife<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Download Google Earth<\/a>
\nEnter your zip code then try to zoom in until you can find where you live
\nZoom out and examine the area where you are.<\/p>\n
\nWhich kinds of animals are best suited for movement in your area? Which ones would be at a disadvantage?<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>If the thought of patiently pursing the tracks of elusive animals is too much for the youthful and energetic members of your group, they may respond positively to gathering data on species sightings for one of several collective on-line databases such as the UW Nature Mapping program or the National Wildlife Federation\u2019s Wildlife Watch.<\/p>\n
\nContact one of the organizations listed in\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s All Connected\u201d to find out more about your area and other areas in your area that are have a high priority for habitat conservation, and what you can do to help!<\/span><\/p>\n
\n4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program<\/a>\u00a0(pdf)<\/em>
\nUS Fish and Wildlife Schoolyard Habitat Project Guide<\/a>\u00a0(pdf)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/h5>\n
Finished this Activity?<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Explore More<\/strong><\/h5>\n