While social distancing protocols mean we had to temporarily suspend our monthly Wildlife Wednesday seminars and citizen science sessions, that doesn’t mean the learning has to stop.
Alaska Wildlife Alliance (AWA) fully supports the CDC’s and our State’s “social distancing” recommendations to try and flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also know that as Alaskans we feel a strong pull to nature, and being outdoors is conducive to our well-being. So, we wanted to share some ideas of how you can still be engaged with wildlife conservation while practicing good social distancing. Below we provide some citizen science opportunities and family friendly wildlife fun activities to keep you engaged in Alaska’s wildlife. Do you have other ideas? Send them to us either via email (info@akwildlife.org) or the AWA Facebook page and we’ll share them with others.
Citizen Science Opportunities
It’s one thing to read about wildlife science and management activities, but how about getting to actually participate in a science project studying Alaska’s wildlife? Below we’ve identified programs that allow our members the opportunity to be a Citizen Scientist and make a difference right here at home in Alaska, while practicing proper social distancing. Only recreate in your local area, and honor the State’s ban on intra-state travel.
Marine Mammals
Although the formal Alaska Beluga Monitoring Partnership (AKBMP; https://akbmp.org/), of which AWA is a partner, has cancelled the spring monitoring season, you can still report your sightings of Cook Inlet beluga whales to researchers and managers. If you do see belugas while you are outside practicing good social distancing, you can share the details such as the date, location and number of whales you saw plus any photos you took to us at mandy@akwildlife.org, or through one of our Conservation Coalition partner’s website at https://www.cookinletbelugas.com/.
Help figure out why Steller sea lions continue to decline in the Aleutian Islands by classifying photographic images: https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/sweenkl/steller-watch. (This could also be a great family wildlife fun activity!)
If you are out and about and see an injured, entangled, or dead marine mammal report it asap to the Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline: 1-877-925-7773.
Terrestrial Mammals:
Help study wolves and other carnivores on the Alaska Peninsula by collecting and sending in samples of hair and whiskers from all carnivores, cut as close to the skin as possible, whether newly harvested or from much older hides: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Alaska_Peninsula/Help_with_Research_Projects.html
Help determine current distribution, abundance, and basic life history traits of Alaska hares by reporting your sightings: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=citizenscience.hareobservation
Help understand the distribution, seasonal activity patterns, and the timing of reproduction in little brown bats in Alaska by:
reporting your bat observations (live or dead): https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=citizenscience.batsobservations
driving an established survey route (transect) with a bat detector and an ultrasonic microphone mounted on the roof of your car: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=citizenscience.batsacousticcommunities
Birds
Help track seabird die-offs in coastal Alaska by participating in the Die-Off Alert program. To learn more visit: https://coasst.org/join-our-team/die-off-alert/.
Help determine trends and changes in bird populations by participating in organized bird counting events such as the International Migratory Bird Day in May (if not cancelled for Covid-19 response) and the Christmas Bird Count in December: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Alaska_Peninsula/Help_with_Research_Projects.html
Insects
Help inventory pollinators on the Alaska Peninsula by collecting bees and wasps: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Alaska_Peninsula/Help_with_Research_Projects.html
Help advance the understanding of bark beetles, which will help protect forests and the species that depend upon them: http://www.backyardbarkbeetles.org/
Habitat
Help compile a record of the amount and types of marine debris in the environment so managers can track the progress of existing marine debris prevention initiative and identify targets for future mitigation efforts: https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/research/marine-debris-monitoring-and-assessment-project
Family Friendly Wildlife Fun
While enjoying the outdoors in your local area, search for wildlife or wildlife tracks! Take some photos and share on AWA’s Facebook page letting us know where you saw them. If you find tracks and don’t know which critter made them, ask us and our community – someone is sure to know the answer. But please remember, keep Alaska’s wildlife wild and stay safe – don’t get too close to the animals!
Use those photos to play along with our AWA Wildlife Bingo Game! Beginning Friday April 3rd, each Friday through the end of April we will announce a different bingo game (e.g., diagonal line, four corners, postage stamp, etc.), so check back often. You win by showing us the pictures you’ve taken that are of the corresponding animals referenced on the bingo card which fit that week’s game. Winners will receive AWA swag and some awesome memories.
Don’t forget that AWA hosts an annual Alaska wildlife photo contest in the fall– the winners get their photos advertised in our annual calendar and a free calendar. Don’t forget to grab your camera when you go out because who knows what amazing wildlife you may see! We love to see the big and small, so take photos of them all!
Organize a “BEAR HUNT” or “WILDLIFE SAFARI” in your neighborhood. There’s a new bear hunt craze sweeping the nation that involves placing a teddy bear in a street-facing window of your house. While out for a walk or drive through your neighborhood (practicing good social distancing), grab your binoculars and “hunt” for as many window teddy bears as you can find. Be creative and expand the bear hunt to a wildlife safari and hunt for all kinds of wildlife! Some kids down south didn’t have binoculars, so they got creative and taped two toilet paper rolls together. How creative can you be? If you play, post some pictures on AWA’s Facebook page! To learn more, check out the recent KTVA news story.
Wildlife Wednesdays
We are actively working to see if some of our speakers will be willing to present on their topic in a virtual wildlife Wednesday seminar using remote technologies such as Zoom. We are trying diligently to secure a speaker for April 15th. Stay tuned to our Facebook page and the Events page on our website for updates.
Meanwhile, enrich your wildlife knowledge while practicing a mind-calming technique by following along with our weekly Wildlife Wednesday Spotlight Species. Each week, beginning Wednesday April 1st, we will highlight a new Alaskan species, provide fun and interesting facts about the species, and for a bit of destress time, an image of that animal to color (great for kids and adults alike!). Play along with our Trivia Tuesday on our Facebook page and upload your (or your kid’s) finished coloring page.
