Using advanced technology, public engagement, and citizen-science to understand responses of wildlife to urban development

The incorporation of natural habitats into urban planning is becoming commonplace and these habitats are important for biodiversity conservation, improving human well?being, and inspiring urban residents to participate in science and connect with nature. Our project aims to document the changes in bird and mammal communities along an urban to rural gradient within and just outside the boundaries of the City of Regina. The project will be accomplished using two concurrent studies: (1) using trail cameras and microphones to monitor wildlife and (2) using biodiversity surveys done by citizen scientists. We are partnering with the Saskatchewan Science Centre to conduct this research program. The Saskatchewan Science Centre will form the “hub” of this program, allowing for broad engagement and training of citizen scientists and providing outreach and dissemination of our results for the general public, while meeting the Science Centre’s broad mandate of igniting scientific curiosity in Saskatchewan communities.

Faculty Supervisor:

Mark Brigham;Ryan Fisher

Student:

Partner:

Saskatchewan Science Centre

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Arts, entertainment and recreation

University:

University of Regina

Program: