Pika Watch Community Science Training

Want to help study American pika in scenic mountain landscapes across Utah?
Join Utah's Hogle Zoo as a community scientist this summer!

Community science is a collaborative effort in which the members of the public participate in scientific research alongside wildlife managers and professional scientists. Community scientists help fill data gaps on native wildlife species and their habitats and therefore provide a vital service for wildlife conservation and management.

Utah’s Hogle Zoo collaborates with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Oregon Zoo’s Cascades Pika Watch. and Colorado Mesa University to monitor American pika. The American pika is listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the Utah Wildlife Action Plan. Pika are found in cool, mountainous habitats, such as slopes of talus (loose rock) and lava fields. Come help the Zoo conduct surveys of Pika.

TRAINING EVENT

NOTE: This session contains the same information as the May 23 date. You do NOT need to attend this session as well. 

We encourage you to join us in person at the Zoo's annual training event for Utah Pika Watch. At this event, you will learn all about the natural history and ecology of pikas, as well as how to:

• Identify pikas using visual and auditory cues

• Use the Utah Pika Watch standardized monitoring protocol (adapted from Cascades Pika Watch)

• Record survey data using the project’s online form

• Sign-up for survey sites during the June-September monitoring season

Whether you are new to nature or a seasoned outdoor enthusiast, this training will teach you how to spot and identify these charismatic alpine mammals while contributing valuable data to help scientists monitor pika populations across Utah. Meet fellow pika enthusiasts, build new skills, and become part of a growing community working to support wildlife conservation. No prior experience is required!

Additional important information:

• Children younger than 18 are welcome at attend the training event, but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

• At each training event, snacks and beverages will be provided.

• Directions to the specific location of the training event will be shared upon registration.

• Admission to Hogle Zoo is neither required nor included in this event.

Training videos will be also available on the Zoo's project website for those who cannot attend either session.