Research
Why Critter Snap?
Boulder County Parks and Open Space biologists collect and provide information about the species, status, and distribution of wildlife on open space. Our input contributes to the larger planning process, management, and appropriate uses of open space. Photographic wildlife data is an exceptionally useful tool in drafting recommendations and providing habitat assessments. Your help identifying the animals in our photos gets us one very big step closer to providing the science needed to guide natural resource management decisions.
What can we learn from our cameras?
Once our cameras are in place, they work 24/7 capturing photos of the animals that pass by. The images collected serve as a record of baseline information, or monitor wildlife’s response to changes in habitat. Camera surveys are often in places with few or no people present, where animals can move around naturally, seek food and water, rest, and raise young.
Photos from our camera surveys help us learn which species are present in an area at different times or seasons. Locations with photos of many species may reveal places rich in diversity, while the types and numbers of animals helps us assess habitat qualities that are important to those species. Camera photos also capture the behaviors of animals, which can be amusing, but that’s not all! Each photo records the date and time, showing us how often and for how long animals exhibit behaviors, such as visiting a spring for a drink of water. Activity patterns can be compared between places, and we can begin to ask questions about why patterns differ. Photos of carnivores traveling together might tell us something about their reproduction, or provide clues to a den nearby.
How can Parks and Open Space use this information?
Wildlife cameras are one of many tools employed to assist land managers in making informed decisions about the landscapes and resources in their charge. The raw data produced by cameras can be used directly, or used to develop models or explain trends helpful to modifying or setting objectives. The wildlife monitoring data from cameras can provide a critical role in the feedback loop of adaptive management.
Through the planning process, input from multiple disciplines combined with public participation influences the trajectory of our park landscapes. Our collective human impact has become apparent, as the shifting values of our increasing population redefines the terms and scale of balanced multiple use. In negotiating the outcome, can we make meaningful choices that reflect our appreciation for wildlife, and the places they depend on?
