Get Involved: Resource Stewardship - Reptile and Amphibian Monitoring

Reptile and Amphibian Monitoring

Description:

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).

Time Commitment:

TBD

Volunteer Benefits:

1.) Collaborate and connect with CPW staff and volunteers

2.) Increase herptile identification skills and natural history knowledge

3.) Receive Resource Stewardship Volunteer uniform items

4.) Access to herptile monitoring and identification resources and materials

Interests:

Outdoors and Community Science - Reptile and Amphibian Monitoring

Places:

Chatfield State Park, Cherry Creek State Park, St. Vrain State Park, Boyd Lake State Park