Become a Nature Mapper!

We’re hosting a training for new “Nature Mappers” on August 31st. Email hilary@jhwildlife.org to sign up for the training or to learn more!

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

To sign up for a certification training, please email kate@jhwildlife.org!

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.

May Sightings Highlights

127

Created on January 31, 2022

Jackson Hole 'Winter Wildlife' Quiz

Do you consider yourself an expert on all things winter-wildlife in the Jackson Hole area?
We hope this quiz will test your knowledge when it comes to a few species synonymous with cold temperatures and deep snow here in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
As always, don't forget to nature map your wildlife sightings when you're out-and-about this winter!

1 / 9

Trumpeter Swans occur year-round in Jackson Hole.
In winter, it's not uncommon to witness Trumpeter Swans flying between open water in the Snake River Corridor and Flat Creek Marsh.
True or False - Trumpeter Swans are assumed to mate for life.

True

False

Trumpeter Swans initially form pair bonds when they are 3-4 years old and do generally mate for life.
While some individuals may switch mates, other individuals that lose a mate may never mate again.

Trumpeter Swans initially form pair bonds when they are 3-4 years old and do generally mate for life.
While some individuals may switch mates, other individuals that lose a mate may never mate again.

2 / 9

Ermines' coats turn white in winter to help them blend in with the snow, while elongate body shapes allow this predator to maneuver efficiently through subnivean tunnels in search of prey.
Which two species of weasels are you most likely to encounter in Jackson Hole?

Short-tailed weasel and long-tailed weasel

Short-tailed weasel and black-footed ferret

Long-tailed weasel and least weasel

Least weasel and short-tailed weasel

Short-tailed weasel and long-tailed weasel is the correct answer.
Select prairie dog colonies in eastern and central Wyoming would be better bets to find rare, black-footed ferrets.
While much of the state is outside of most mapped least weasel distribution, poorly documented records occur in the eastern foothills of the Bighorn Mountains.
Bonus Trivia: Did you know the term "ermine" is not species specific and can be used to describe a variety white-phase weasels?

Short-tailed weasel and long-tailed weasel is the correct answer.
Select prairie dog colonies in eastern and central Wyoming would be better bets to find rare, black-footed ferrets.
While much of the state is outside of most mapped least weasel distribution, poorly documented records occur in the eastern foothills of the Bighorn Mountains.
Bonus Trivia: Did you know the term "ermine" is not species specific and can be used to describe a variety white-phase weasels?

3 / 9

Moose are also exceptionally well adapted to Wyoming's winters.
However, warming temperatures and a dryer climate is likely to threaten moose populations in coming decades.
Above what winter temperature can moose start to experience "heat stress?"

23 degrees F

31 degrees F

35 degrees F

45 degrees F

Moose are not well adapted for periods of intense heat.
Even winter temperatures in the mid-to-high twenties can induce "heat stress."
Heat stress leads to lower body weights and reduced immune response which can prove lethal.

Moose are not well adapted for periods of intense heat.
Even winter temperatures in the mid-to-high twenties can induce "heat stress."
Heat stress leads to lower body weights and reduced immune response which can prove lethal.

4 / 9

The elusive wolverine is yet another creature linked to cold, snowy landscapes.
Known to travel extraordinary distances, in 2009 biologists tracked the movements of an individual wolverine from near Togwotee Pass (east of Grand Teton National Park) all the way to.....

The northern Bighorn Mountains (WY)

South of Rocky Mountain National Park (CO)

Arches National Monument (UT)

Western edge of Laramie Range (WY)

The Ozark Mountains (AR)

This individual wolverine traveled at least 942 km down the spine of the Rocky Mountains all the way into central Colorado.
While today wolverines are extremely rare and considered a "protected animal" in Wyoming, they likely once occurred in many Western mountain ranges with vast areas of tundra and subalpine forest.

This individual wolverine traveled at least 942 km down the spine of the Rocky Mountains all the way into central Colorado.
While today wolverines are extremely rare and considered a "protected animal" in Wyoming, they likely once occurred in many Western mountain ranges with vast areas of tundra and subalpine forest.

5 / 9

Can you identify this hawk?
Pictured here is one of a handful of avian species that occurs in Jackson Hole exclusively in the wintertime.
Can you identify this hawk AND where it spends the summer (breeds)?

Red-tailed Hawk, summers (breeds) in Jackson Hole

Red-tailed Hawk, summers (breeds) in South America

Rough-legged Hawk, summers (breeds) in South America

Rough-legged Hawk, summers (breeds) in the Arctic Circle

Rough-legged hawks are what can be referred to as a "medium-distance migrant."
This species migrates from breeding grounds at the Arctic Circle to spend the winters as far south as Texas.
While they are seen during the winter, a Rough-legged Hawks sighting in Jackson Hole in the summertime would be extremely rare.

Rough-legged hawks are what can be referred to as a "medium-distance migrant."
This species migrates from breeding grounds at the Arctic Circle to spend the winters as far south as Texas.
While they are seen during the winter, a Rough-legged Hawks sighting in Jackson Hole in the summertime would be extremely rare.

6 / 9

While wolves occur year-round in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, winter is an especially good time to be a wolf!
Wolves large paws act as snowshoes which keep them afloat while pursuing prey in deep snow. This advantage can translate into winter hunts having higher levels of success than summer hunts.
Do you know how many separate wolf packs currently inhabit nearby Yellowstone National Park?

5

8

14

20

As of December 2021, there are at least 95 wolves in the park in eight separate packs.
This count marked a decline of around 20% from 2020, but is around the average of the previous decade.
Of note: this number is expected to further decline in coming weeks and months.

As of December 2021, there are at least 95 wolves in the park in eight separate packs.
This count marked a decline of around 20% from 2020, but is around the average of the previous decade.
Of note: this number is expected to further decline in coming weeks and months.

7 / 9

Did you know that rabbits and hares are separate species?
Wyoming has both...but only one species of hare (pictured) has a coat that turns white in the winter.
This is likely a tricky question, but do you know how many species of hare are currently found in Wyoming?

1

2

3

4

Wyoming's three species of "hares" are the black-tailed jackrabbit, white-tailed jackrabbit, and of course, the snowshoe hare.
The snowshoe hare is the only hare species commonly found in Jackson Hole.
Wyoming also has four named species of rabbit which fall into two genera, cottontails and pygmy rabbits.

Wyoming's three species of "hares" are the black-tailed jackrabbit, white-tailed jackrabbit, and of course, the snowshoe hare.
The snowshoe hare is the only hare species commonly found in Jackson Hole.
Wyoming also has four named species of rabbit which fall into two genera, cottontails and pygmy rabbits.

8 / 9

When we consider wildlife well-adapted to winter, it's hard not to think of the Canada lynx!
Although relatively high-quality lynx habitat exists on the eastern edge of Yellowstone, in the Wyoming range, and the northern Wind River Range, lynx are still extremely rare in Wyoming.
Which of the following variables are believed to strongly influence distribution and abundance of the Canada lynx?

snowshoe hares (primary prey) and abundance of hare food

forest structure (e.g. stage of forest growth)

human road densities

snowmobile use

All of the above

A lot has to go right for a landscape to be suitable lynx habitat.
Simply put, habitat that checks all of the above boxes can be hard to find, even here.
As such, it would be extremely rare to encounter a lynx in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

A lot has to go right for a landscape to be suitable lynx habitat.
Simply put, habitat that checks all of the above boxes can be hard to find, even here.
As such, it would be extremely rare to encounter a lynx in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

9 / 9

The hardy, Black-capped Chickadee can withstand extremely cold temperatures and is one of two, resident Chickadee species which spends the winter in Jackson Hole.
True or False, Chickadees can expand the part of their brains known as the hippocampus by 30% to better remember where they stored their food!

True

False

The answer is true!
The Chickadee is an amazingly intelligent bird, at least when it comes to remembering where it cached its next meal.

The answer is true!
The Chickadee is an amazingly intelligent bird, at least when it comes to remembering where it cached its next meal.

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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.

Bert Raynes

Meg and Bert Raynes Wildlife Fund

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 or here to sign up for a float!

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.

“Our ability to perceive quality in nature begins, as in art, with the pretty. It expands through successive stages of the beautiful to values as yet uncaptured by language.” – Aldo Leopold

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.