In 2014, the Miistakis Institute hosted a Citizen Science Conference, exploring this diverse field with sessions on program design, evaluation, policy implications, technology and applications in parks and protected areas. This links to the website that chronicled that event.
Alberta Volunteer Amphibian Monitoring Program and Alberta Snake Hibernaculum Inventory
Poster abstract: Alberta Volunteer Amphibian Monitoring Program and Alberta Snake Hibernaculum Inventory
Amphibian Monitoring Program (AVAMP) and the Alberta Snake Hibernaculum Inventory (ASHI), in partnership with Alberta Environment and Parks.
AVAMP is a long-term community survey of amphibians initiated in 1992 under the auspices of the Declining Amphibian Population Task Force established by the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
ASHI was initiated in 2000 and asks for voluntary information about snake dens and general reptile sightings. AVAMP and ASHI data collected by volunteers are submitted to ACA using an online data entry form on ACA’s website.
Participants contribute to the advancement of amphibian and reptile conservation through submission of voluntary data on their own time, without direct supervision from ACA. These initiatives are an effective and economical means to collect basic data (i.e., species, date, location and surveyor) that can be used by researchers, government, educators, writers, and consulting companies.
Importantly, these data provide general distribution information for amphibian and reptile populations in the province and, along with other data, assist in updating the general status of herpetofauna in Alberta and can help inform land-use planning. AVAMP and ASHI also provide opportunities for constructive dialog between scientists and the public.
All data collected is entered into Fish and Wildlife Management Information System (FWMIS) database. FWMIS provides a central repository where government staff, industry and the public can store and access fisheries and wildlife data. AVAMP data is an important contribution to this knowledge base.
Speaker Bio: As a biologist with Alberta Conservation Association, Kris Kendell has focused much of his career on citizen science, habitat stewardship, monitoring, translocation and outreach initiatives that relate to amphibians and reptiles. Kris says the most rewarding aspect of what he does is forming working relationships and friendships with landowners, volunteers and fellow naturalists. Kris believes the greatest strives in conservation will come through education and stewardship, and working together to provide solutions to our most pressing conservation issues.
In his spare time, Kris enjoys creating aquarium biotopes as an aquarium hobbyist and aspires to expand into fish breeding for conservation.