Birds

Utahns are turning everyday wildlife sightings into powerful data for scientists. From birding to herping, community science is helping track species and support conservation across the state.

Pinyon jays are a vulnerable and rarely seen species that has experienced a sharp population decline. But it turns out that protecting them might be more complicated than we thought.

When one has the opportunity to experience the grandeur of the Milky Way, witness a shooting star, or identify a new constellation, such moments can spark curiosity, a sense of awe, and provide memories that last a lifetime.

As an educator focused on outdoor experiential learning, I’m always looking for ways to integrate nature’s aesthetic beauty into my teaching.

Today we talk with former UPR student reporters who have gone on to great things. Our guests will include: Aimee Van Tatenhove, and Clarissa Casper.

At annual banquet, hunters, researchers, and conservationists came together to support wildlife across Utah’s high deserts. Their work is helping hundreds of species beyond the iconic chukar.

When biologists first noticed increased bird flu cases in October, 49 cases had been reported. But because they can only test a limited number of carcasses, the true number is likely higher.

So, my friends, we might take courage from the Wood Duck, ruffle our feathers, and leap! Not expecting to fly right away, but realizing that the fall can be every bit as majestic.

I’m just a 2nd-grade teacher leaning out my exterior classroom door, taking pictures of a curious little Black-Capped Chickadee happily pecking seeds from our class millet feeder which dangles just outside our window.

Participatory Science used to be called Citizen Science, and then Community Science, but the emphasis on participation highlights that we are contributing to something large and impactful for which we don’t ask what science can do for us, but what we can do for science.