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Become A Citizen Scientist

Join the Front Range Pika Project!

To become a citizen scientist for the Front Range Pika Project, you will need to attend BOTH an evening classroom training and a half-day field training. Food and drinks will be provided at the classroom training. In these trainings, you will learn about pika ecology and climate change, field data collection protocols, safety in the backcountry, data management and submission, and navigation skills. After completing these trainings, you will have an opportunity to sign up to visit a field site during the season (with a partner for safety), and an opportunity to register an account on our website which allows you to submit data. Once you have attended these trainings, you will not need to participate in any additional trainings in future years. As a volunteer, you are also required to be capable of hiking on talus and other variable terrain at high altitudes for extended periods (2-10 miles hiking), must be capable of navigating to remote field sites, and you must commit to following all safety guidelines and always hiking with a partner who is capable of safely hiking and navigating in the backcountry. Minors must be 12 years of age and accompanied by a parent or guardian.

In 2018, we have four different sub-projects for interested volunteers to participate in. Please read the description of the FRPP sub-projects below and sign up for the sub-project that is most appropriate for you. If you know that you can't attend any of the training dates below, please sign up for the 'Additional Opportunities' option. After you sign up, we will follow up with specific information on the training dates and details for the project.

Front Range (Traditional FRPP):

For nearly 8 years, the traditional FRPP has engaged volunteers in data collection at 45 historic pika habitat sites located across the Front Range. This is the best project for returning FRPP volunteers and volunteers interested in volunteering along/near the Front Range (Metro Denver Area, Boulder, Castle Rock, Colorado Springs etc.). Volunteers attend one classroom training and field training (dates below) and then sign up to visit one of the 45 sites on their own anytime between the trainings and the end of September.
Training dates: Classroom: July 18th at Denver REI store. Field: July 20th at Loveland Pass
Sign up for Front Range (Traditional FRPP)

Rocky Mountain National Park (FRPP Expansion):

In 2018, the FRPP expanded to conduct new research at sites in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). Volunteers will use new methods that are different from those traditionally used by the project, which includes establishing/surveying a specific plot. This is best for volunteers located in Estes Park or Grand Lake, members of the RMNP VIP program, and anyone who spends time in RMNP during the summer. Once trained, volunteers can sign up to visit sites and collect data on their own (with a partner for safety) anytime between the trainings and the end of September. Volunteers will also have the option to visit sites with FRPP staff.
Training date: Classroom and Field training June 28th in Estes Park (exact time and venue TBD, new dates may be set if snow at the training site isn't melted by late June)
Sign up for Rocky Mountain National Park (FRPP Expansion)

White River National Forest (FRPP Expansion):

In 2018, the FRPP expanded to conduct new research at sites in the White River National Forest. Volunteers will use new methods that are different from those traditionally used by the project, which includes establishing/surveying a specific plot. This project is best for volunteers who live in communities around the White River National Forest (including, but not limited to Glenwood, Aspen, Carbondale, Avon, Eagle, Vail, Minturn, Breckenridge, Meeker, Minturn, Rifle, Silverthorn, Gypsum) or who plan to spend time in the White River National Forest during the summer. Once trained, volunteers can sign up to visit sites and collect data on their own (with a partner for safety), anytime between the trainings and the end of September. Volunteers will also have the option to visit sites with FRPP staff.
Training dates: Classroom: July 10th online/webinar, July 17th in Silverthorne (venue TBD), July 24th at Walking Mountains Science Center in Avon, July 31st at the Third Street Center in Carbondale, and August 1st at Red Brick Center for the Arts Conference Room in Aspen. Field: July 21st at Loveland Pass, July 27th at a location near Avon (exact location TBD), and August 3rd on Independence Pass.
Sign up for White River National Forest (FRPP Expansion)

Additional Opportunities:

If you are not able to attend any of the trainings above, please sign up here if you are interested in learning about potential additional opportunities. There may be additional trainings or opportunities for volunteers to assist with piloting opportunistic surveys. More details to come.
Sign up

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions: frpp@denverzoo.org.

An IBIS website Updated 4/24/2018