Connect to nature in The Land Between through our programs that involve monitoring birds, bats, bugs, and any biota. Community Science programs often begin in the spring and extend through the fall. We offer training individually in the field or online through a conferencing solution.
To learn more about the value of Community Science read our blog post about it. We provide training!
Learn more or give it a try by clicking on the program links below.
Nightjar Surveys
Nightjars, like the Common Nighthawks, and Eastern Whip-poor-wills are aerial insectivores that feed on mosquitoes, moths and other flying insects. These birds amongst many other aerial insectivore sare experiencing severe population declines. However nightjars are "understudied" due to their cryptic behaviour.
As a Nightjar Surveyor you will help gather information about these mysterious birds, helping scientists understand their distribution, abundance, habitat associations, and population trends. This information is critical to aid conservation and management efforts.
Surveys take place within one week of the full moon in June on designated routes and in the evening. Workshops and training tools are provided.
Snake Supervisors
Many of us are instinctively afraid of snakes, but more often than not we have nothing to fear! Our slithering friends often get a bad rap, but in fact, they help us immensely! Many snakes are expert mouse-hunters helping to reduce rodent populations.
Most snakes are disappearing as their habitat is lost, they get killed on roads, and with because people mistaken them as threats.
With your help we can identify where these slithery sentinels are hanging out and how to help them thrive to keep raiders in check.
We offer online tools to teach you what to do and what not to do, how to report your findings to us, and we offer ongoing support with our team.
The Backyard Whip-poor-will Challenge
Eastern Whip-poor-will populations have declined more than 75% in the last 20 years. These birds are a heritage species, loved and remembered by Elders, homesteaders, and dreamers. They have an unmistakable and heart-warming call.
Whip-poor-wills are part of the Nightjar family and are aerial insectivores who consume large amounts of flying insects! They are also one of the only birds that has whiskers!
These nocturnal birds are able to camouflage well as they roost on branches within forests during the day. On clear moonlit nights during the summer (they are most active at dusk from June to July) they can often be heard repeating their own name over and over. If you can hear the “Whip-poor-will” call from your property, we want to know about it!
Bird Buddies
Birds and insects are important bio-indicators of ecosystem and food web health. Birds disperse seeds, remove pests, and inspire our souls. Many guilds of birds have declined as much as 75%.
These species are fun and easy to monitor. The data is vital to support our understanding of the state of the natural world and our region.
Bird Buddies will monitor birds within their backyards, or neighborhoods; up to 5km from their home.
Moth Monitors
Insects, especially Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) are important bio-indicators of ecosystem and food web health. Moths have declined by as much as 60% since the Industrial Revolution, with large moths declining another 30% in recent years. Moths feed birds and are a staple for many mammals too.
These species are fun and easy to monitor. The data is vital to support our understanding of the state of the natural world and our region.
Moth Monitors set up monitoring stations to attract moths at night, taking pictures of these visitors in their yards.
Backyard Bioblitz Program
The Backyard Bioblitz Program is designed for eco-heroes of all ages to take part in community science from their backyard or nearby outdoor space.
Through this program, you will be searching for a different family of species along whatever timeline you like! While on your search, you will document all the species you see on the iNaturalist app, which is a free community science app! All of the information that you gather will be used by The Land Between team to inform our conservation efforts!
To get involved, you simply need to sign-up, watch & read about our safety protocol, and download iNaturalist.
Our Turtle Guardians Programs
Become part of a growing community across North America.
Volunteer opportunities are tailored and can be on call or regular hours.
These opportunities and activities have been generously supported by:
Learn more about how to help
