About Nature Mapping Jackson Hole
Nature Mapping Jackson Hole is a group of volunteer citizens working collectively to create a long-term dataset containing wildlife observations. When everyone contributes a small amount of data, the end result is enormous. Nature Mapping Jackson Hole strives to fill wildlife observation and distribution needs not already covered by state and federal agencies or local research organizations.
Goals of Nature Mapping Jackson Hole
Nature Mapping Jackson Hole is a long-term, citizen science research project with the goals of:
- Keeping common species common (studying all species not just high-profile species or species of concern).
- Increasing citizen’s knowledge of and appreciation for wildlife in Teton County, WY.
- Engaging citizens in long-term wildlife data collection.
- Informing management decisions that favor wildlife sustainability.
- Contribute data to the Wyoming Game & Fish Department’s Wildlife Observation System (WOS) to augment state data.
Nature Mapping Jackson Hole Database
Nature Mapping Jackson Hole strives to fill wildlife observation and distribution needs not already covered by state and federal agencies or local research organizations. Creating a long-term dataset on all species, collecting data on private and public lands, and providing able bodies to work collaboratively with other research organizations on projects that lack resources, are niches Nature Mapping is striving to fill in Jackson Hole’s wildlife-rich community.
A History Thanks to Meg and Bert Raynes
Nature Mapping Jackson Hole was begun in 2009 by a group of dedicated volunteers and local biologists under the Meg and Bert Raynes Wildlife Fund. In 2011, a cooperative relationship between the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation and the Meg and Bert Raynes Wildlife Fund began in order to build on the initial success of the Nature Mapping Jackson Hole program.
Please be aware of Nature Mapping Data Collection Guidelines Related to Private Property
JHWF’s Nature Mapping Jackson Hole casual observations of elk from December 2015 to December 2020. Our Nature Mapping projects included are Backyard, Moose Day, Snake River Float Trips, and Casual Observations.
It’s fun to open somebody’s eyes the way mine were opened. You can sit there and see them get the spark and think, there, I’ve ruined another life. They’re gonna be bird watchers. Satisfying.
To sign up for a certification training, please email kate@jhwildlife.org!
Total Observations
Trained Nature Mappers
Moose Observed on 2020 Moose Day
2020 Moose Day Volunteers
Nature Mapping Jackson Hole Programs
Featured below are three of our most popular Nature Mapping programs. Additional Nature Mapping programs of the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation include Moose Day, Mountain Bluebird Nestbox Monitoring, Neighbors to Nature: a Cache Creek Study and our Clark’s Nutcracker Project.
Nature Mapping Snake River Floats
The Snake River Float Project is designed to gain a better idea of what species of mammals, birds and amphibians use the section of river between Wilson Bridge and South Park, a section flowing mostly through private land where wildlife professionals do not conduct a systematic census. Click here to learn more.
Casual Observations and Project Backyard
The most common ways to collect data, Casual observations and Project Backyard imply no set routine, just basic wildlife watching. Nature Mappers participating in these programs are often the first to document the existence of a species or arrival and departure dates of migrants.
Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) Project
Using the Institute for Bird Populations’ Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) protocol, banders have collected data including age, sex, breeding status and body condition from over 10,000 songbirds at this and four other sites. Click here to learn more.
Data Request Process – How it Works
- Requester submits a data request using the info on this form. Please fill out the information found on the form as completely as possible and explicitly tell us why you are requesting Nature Mapping data.
- Nature Mapping Advisory Committee reviews the data request at their monthly meeting.
- If the request is approved, the requester will sign a data release agreement with Nature Mapping/JHWF.
- Data will be delivered electronically as either a shapefile or Microsoft Excel document.
- Requester’s end products will be delivered to Nature Mapping/ JHWF per the timeline outlined in the data request form.
- The intent is for wildlife to benefit from this cooperative agreement.
Data may be provided to individuals or organizations on a demonstrated need basis for single use purposes related to the appropriate conservation and management of wildlife in Teton County, Wyoming. Data requests submitted by area agencies, research organizations and land management organizations which may positively influence wildlife management decisions are encouraged.
At no time should Nature Mapping data (partial or in total) be redistributed by the recipient to third parties whether for a fee or free of charge. Data recipient should direct all other parties to request data directly from Nature Mapping Jackson Hole/Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation. Data may not be provided to any entity for the creation of independent datasets.

Photo Credits:
Henry Holdsworth
Mark Gocke
Steve Morriss
Sava Malachowski
Leine Stikkel
Tim Griffith
Jon Mobeck
Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation
Office Location:
25 S. Willow St., Suite 10
Jackson, WY 83001
Mailing Address:
PO Box 8042
Jackson, WY 83002
(307) 739-0968
All rights reserved.
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