Get Involved: Resource Stewardship

Assist state parks in learning more about the quality of the night sky by collecting measurements of light pollution at night. CPW is working to document sky brightness in State Parks through the Dark Sky Monitoring community science program. We connect volunteers with tools to collect dark sky data that can be used to help preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies.

Help us identify parks for recognition of their Dark Sky quality so that astronomers, campers, and nighttime photographers know where to see the Milky Way, escape to true nighttime, and enjoy the natural night sky!

Using a smart phone or printed star charts, our Dark Sky monitors take a few minutes on moonless nights to document how many stars can be seen with the naked eye. Observations can be made year round in different moon phases (new moon is best). To fully document a park's night sky quality, multiple measurements need to be taken, depending on the size of the park the time commitment would vary. Observations may be made in any state park that allows overnight recreation - please check the state park website before visiting! No experience needed.

Help collect data on the biodiversity of herptiles within our state park system! CPW is collaborating with the Colorado Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (COPARC) to better understand the current state of herptiles within Colorado. The Resource Stewardship Program at CPW manages the State Parks herptile community science monitoring project, and has partnered with COPARC to provide training opportunities to volunteers, staff, and visitors to assist in ecological monitoring.

The herptile community science monitoring program is currently being built from the ground up, with future program updates to come. Volunteers should have a keen knowledge of reptiles and amphibians and be able to identify species that exist in the desired state park. Contact staff to see how you could help build this program!

Responsibilities:

1.) Must become trained as Herptile Monitor by CPW Resource Stewardship and able to make at least a 1-year commitment.

2.) A willingness to learn and identify herptiles down to species.  Training workshops will be available to all volunteers.

3.) Become familiar with a particular State Park and monitor for herptiles at least twice a year.

4.) Collect data in the field using paper or digital applications.  Enter data into the database via a computer and communicate survey results or questions to project managers.

5.) Attend meetings and training events.

6.) Have a good time and get recognized for your efforts!

QUALIFICATIONS DESIRED

- Have own transportation and be willing to travel to site

- Ability to walk survey sites over uneven terrain. Length and level of difficulty of getting to site varies by park. Some require only minimal walking. Others require traversing sometimes difficult and unmarked terrain (such as at State Forest, Mueller, Spinney/Eleven Mile, Staunton, Eldorado, and Golden Gate).

Help collect data on the biodiversity of state parks! iNaturalist is a mobile app and online network where you can record what you see in nature, meet other nature enthusiasts, and learn about the natural world. The Resource Stewardship Program at CPW manages the State Parks NatureFinder project, which provides volunteers, staff, and visitors the opportunity to assist in ecological monitoring.

To participate, simply download the free iNaturalist app on your mobile device or visit iNaturalist.org to set up a free account, then join the State Park NatureFinder project by visiting https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/state-parks-naturefinder and clicking "Join this project" in the upper right corner. Observations or identifications need to be within the boundaries of a Colorado State Park.

State Parks NatureFinder Project Terms & Rules:

- Remember to always be respectful of wildlife and keep these viewing and photography guidelines in mind. By following these guidelines you are helping promote conservation of wildlife and their habitats, as well as the safety of yourself and others! - Wildlife should be viewed/photographed from a safe and respectful distance.

- Use binoculars, spotting scopes, zoom lenses, and viewing blinds to avoid disturbing species.

- Avoid getting close to nests or dens, your presence can disturb breeding and alert predators to nest/den locations.

- Never post locations of nests/dens.

- Stay on trails and roads, tread lightly, and leave plants and animals where you find them.

- Do not use recorded animal calls to attract wildlife.

- If an animal shows any sign of stress, move away.

- Keep pets on leash at all times.

- Do not feed wildlife.