NatureMapping is a wildlife data collection activity in which you observe wildlife and plant life, gather environmental information in the field, and record your observations on a standard form. This data is contributed to the scientific community, allowing your students to become citizen scientists!

Sand lily Leucocrinum montanum Photo Credit: Mark Goddard

connects you with the natural world by giving you real-world, outdoor experiences; helps you learn more about the environment through access to "hands-on" field observation experiences and easy-to-use materials; gives you useful and practical skills like map reading and species identification; enables you to create and maintain your own environmental database; and sharpens your observation and identification skills, which will be a valuable asset to organized inventory and monitoring efforts, while becoming a citizen scientist.

Although the focus of this unit is to help resource managers inventory and monitor alien plant species in the National Parks, you can participate in NatureMapping practically anywhere. You can participate with your own students, or organize a group of observers from your community.

The NatureMapping activities provide step-by-step instructions on how to participate. It includes the forms you’ll need for recording and mapping your field observations. The Washington NatureMapping program includes various wildlife and community modules which lists species you may encounter and the codes used to indicate which species you found.  There is not currently an Invasive Weeds Module, but individual plant species can be coded using the plant code assigned in the USDA Plant National Database.  At that website, click on the Invasive Weeds link, and then the state link for one of the states listed below to access a complete list of the invasive species, along with their plant codes.  As an example, you might refer to the Oregon Weeds list provided under the Oregon NatureMapping unit in this curriculum.

Washington NatureMapping - 
NatureMapping began in Washington, and their program has served as the preeminent model for NatureMapping programs in several states.  There are several conservation projects involving NatureMapping throughout the state, and teacher training workshops are provided to assist the classroom teacher in implementing schoolwide NatureMapping programs.  See the Resources page for a list of National Parks in this area.

Idaho NatureMapping - 
Idaho's NatureMapping program is an outreach component of the USGS National GAP Analysis program, headquartered at the University of Idaho. GAP is a proactive approach to protecting biodiversity. It seeks to identify gaps between land areas that are rich in biodiversity and areas that are managed for conservation.  Idaho NatureMapping's goal is to involve local communities in the Gap program, by training individuals to monitor and map the species around them, and by providing tools to inventory and report their observations.  Idaho relies on a partnership with Washington NatureMapping for teaching resources and support.  See the Resources page for a list of National Parks in this area.

Montana NatureMapping -
Montana does not currently have an in-state NatureMapping program but is included here because the Big Hole National Battlefield, located in Montana along the border with Idaho, was one of the original parks involved with this project.  There exists ongoing problems with invasive weed species within the park, and teachers from schools in Idaho and Montana who utilize the park for field excursions are encouraged to use the Idaho NatureMapping links to NatureMapping, in conjunction with Aliens In Your Neighborhood.

Oregon NatureMapping -
Several people are beginning to implement NatureMapping in Oregon, and Aliens In Your Neighborhood includes a special section combining aspects of Washington NatureMapping and work done by the Oregon Biodiversity Project and Defenders of Wildlife.

Last updated 10/26/03