Join A New Program to Track Wildlife in New York

Are you someone who enjoys discovering the wildlife that lives around your home or on your favorite hiking trail? It is amazing how many members of the Hudson Valley wildlife community you can spot just driving down a road.

Wanted: Wildlife Fans With Trail Cams Willing To Share Some Photos

I am always amazed at how many animals I see when I am on the golf course. The occasional groundhog is to be expected, maybe even a turtle. But you might not expect a turkey or an eagle.

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I have a lot of fun keeping track of the wildlife around my home. I don't have a trail cam, so any spotting I do is usually in broad daylight in my yard. If you are a wildlife spotter like me, you may want to know about a new program that has been started by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) called Snapshot NY.

New York Sets Up Program for Citizen Scientists

Snapshot NY is designed to be a collaborative effort for citizen scientists with the DEC and the NY Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Cornell University. We can be part of a groundbreaking wildlife research project across New York.

READ More: Mountain Lion Spotted in New York Neighborhood

The idea is to have New Yorkers use trail cameras to help biologists follow changes and track animal populations. This program empowers everyday New Yorkers, students, families, nature lovers, and outdoor explorers are all encourage to be part of the program.

Whether you set up trail cameras in your backyard or a state forest, your photo will become part of a growing database that will help inform wildlife conservationists and management efforts across New York State.

How to Join Snapshot NY to be a Citizen Scientist

Visit the Snapshot NY website or download the Snapshot NY app for more information and to:

• Sign up and join the project
• Apply for available grid cells to set up your camera
• Register and track your camera deployments
• Be part of a community that cares about New York’s wildlife

Help track some of New York's wildest animals.