 August 1 marks the first day of two of Maine's most consequential annual community science projects.
Deer Spy, and the Wild Turkey August Production Survey both invite community scientists to play a direct role in Maine's wildlife management. All good management starts with science, and all good science starts with data. That's where you come in! If you enjoy watching wildlife from your window, spend any time exploring in the Maine outdoors, or want a reason to start, you can participate. You do the fun part watching the wildlife, and we'll do all the hard math when your numbers come in. Deal?
Why Community Science?
MDIFW biologists use numerous methods to keep a finger on the pulse of Maine's white-tailed deer and wild turkey populations throughout the year. Our monitoring work is enhanced by the valuable local knowledge of Mainers with boots on the ground in all corners of the state. Community science is a powerful tool to amplify data collection capacity when it matters most.
With each observation submitted by hundreds of participants each year, our dataset becomes larger and patterns grow clearer, building our understanding of wildlife populations so we can fine-tune our strategies to meet management goals. That means healthy wildlife, balanced ecosystems, better viewing opportunities, reduced human-wildlife conflict, and sustainable harvest for generations to come.
Becoming a community scientist is more than just being an extra set of eyes and ears in the field. It's a fun addition to any outdoor adventure, and a rewarding avenue through which your passion for natural resources can have a real impact, Will you go all in for the Maine outdoors with us?
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