What Are You Doing Next Summer?
Citizen Scientists began monitoring the impacts of climate change on pika populations
in New Mexico in the summer of 2011. The project will continue in 2012, with new
trainings of citizen scientists and more field work in the Pecos Wilderness. Interested?
Read on... and be in touch.
If you are a hiker who visits the highest peaks of New Mexico, you may have spotted
pikas among the talus fields. They look like small rabbits and are often described as
“terminally cute.” The American pika lives among the most stunning scenery in North
America - typically on mountains above 8000 feet elevation - from California to New
Mexico and north into Canada.
Like polar bears, pikas have gained attention as early indicators of the effects of
climate change on wildlife. In the case of pikas, it is not sea ice that they require but
mountain peaks that are cool in summer and have a blanket of insulating snow in
winter - both of which are being altered by climate change.
The pika was recently proposed for inclusion on the list of endangered species, but the
US Fish and Wildlife Service determined that this status is not warranted at this time.
Why? Because the scientific information about pikas is not yet clear. Pikas seem to be
disappearing from some mountainous areas but not from others. And in a few places,
pikas are found at low elevations and do well in the warmer temperatures.
Working with a network of other citizen scientist-based pika monitoring projects
around the West, the New Mexico Pika Monitoring project will help to clarify the
effects of climate change on pikas. It will collect information that will be used by the
US Fish and Wildlife Service and other wildlife managers to evaluate the range-wide
status of pika and make informed management decisions so that pikas continue to
thrive.
Citizen Science - What's That?
Citizen science gives volunteers the opportunity to get their hands dirty, use their
brains, visit some spectacular places, work with other great volunteers, have a little
fun, and most importantly, to have an impact on conservation in New Mexico.
It goes far beyond the typical environmental education class or volunteer clean up day
to fully immerse volunteers in environmental stewardship. You can meet great people
and have fun, but this is also a serious commitment. Training will be provided by
Seventh Generation Institute. Each volunteer will be required to complete class room
and field-based training and must be sufficiently fit to hike into high-elevation areas.
Interested in Becoming a Citizen Scientist?
If you have ever thought that you want to really make a difference, citizen science
may be the program for you. For information on volunteering:
.
Citizen Scientists began monitoring the impacts of climate change on pika populations
in New Mexico in the summer of 2011. The project will continue in 2012, with new
trainings of citizen scientists and more field work in the Pecos Wilderness. Interested?
Read on... and be in touch.
If you are a hiker who visits the highest peaks of New Mexico, you may have spotted
pikas among the talus fields. They look like small rabbits and are often described as
“terminally cute.” The American pika lives among the most stunning scenery in North
America - typically on mountains above 8000 feet elevation - from California to New
Mexico and north into Canada.
Like polar bears, pikas have gained attention as early indicators of the effects of
climate change on wildlife. In the case of pikas, it is not sea ice that they require but
mountain peaks that are cool in summer and have a blanket of insulating snow in
winter - both of which are being altered by climate change.
The pika was recently proposed for inclusion on the list of endangered species, but the
US Fish and Wildlife Service determined that this status is not warranted at this time.
Why? Because the scientific information about pikas is not yet clear. Pikas seem to be
disappearing from some mountainous areas but not from others. And in a few places,
pikas are found at low elevations and do well in the warmer temperatures.
Working with a network of other citizen scientist-based pika monitoring projects
around the West, the New Mexico Pika Monitoring project will help to clarify the
effects of climate change on pikas. It will collect information that will be used by the
US Fish and Wildlife Service and other wildlife managers to evaluate the range-wide
status of pika and make informed management decisions so that pikas continue to
thrive.
Citizen Science - What's That?
Citizen science gives volunteers the opportunity to get their hands dirty, use their
brains, visit some spectacular places, work with other great volunteers, have a little
fun, and most importantly, to have an impact on conservation in New Mexico.
It goes far beyond the typical environmental education class or volunteer clean up day
to fully immerse volunteers in environmental stewardship. You can meet great people
and have fun, but this is also a serious commitment. Training will be provided by
Seventh Generation Institute. Each volunteer will be required to complete class room
and field-based training and must be sufficiently fit to hike into high-elevation areas.
Interested in Becoming a Citizen Scientist?
If you have ever thought that you want to really make a difference, citizen science
may be the program for you. For information on volunteering:
.
- Visit our volunteer page.
- Or send an email to us.
| Seventh Generation Institute |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| "Unlike other species, pika don't hibernate in the winter. They have a high metabolism to keep them going. Then, in the summer, if there 's a hot period, they can't keep themselves cool enough." Liesl Erb University of Colorado Boulder. |
| Programs and Projects |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| The New Mexico Pika Monitoring Project Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change on Pika |
| Citizen science is a partnership between volunteers and scientists to answer real-world scientific or natural resource management questions. |
| Support the Project Make a donation here Or buy On Higher Grounds coffee featuring the American pika here |
Project Collaborators
- The National Park
Service - Pikas in
Peril program - North American
Pika Consortium - Teton Science
School - Denver Zoo
- Center for Native
Ecosystems - University of
Colorado at
Boulder
Seventh Generation Institute salutes the intrepid volunteers who trained to become citizen scientists and survey for pika in the Pecos Wilderness. |