Community Science & Stewardship

Get your hands dirty, and contribute to real science and stewardship projects going on here in Eagle County! If you’ve ever wondered what research ecologists do out in the field, been interested in citizen science but felt uncomfortable traveling into the backcountry on your own, wondered how trails are designed & built, or wanted to do a little science while out on your hikes, then this series is for you!

Pika Projects Training

Pika surveys at long-term monitoring sites are the core of the Front Range Pika Project. FRPP community scientists—or Pika Patrollers—collect data on the presence of pikas and the characteristics of their habitat at nearly 200 locations in the scenic high country of Colorado. Our community scientists have been visiting some of these sites for a decade, which has provided critical data to land managers and researchers about the distribution and habitat use of pika. Through the dedication of FRPP volunteers, we can not only track how climate change is impacting pika, but find solutions to any potential threats.

Pika Project Guided Field Surveys

Joining Walking Mountains Science Center for your field surveys is the perfect introduction for newly trained volunteers, and those who would prefer to volunteer in a group setting. On these programs Walking Mountains backcountry guides take care of the navigation, help answer questions on implementing the protocol, and assist with the data recording so you can feel confident in your work as a volunteer (and meet fellow Pika Patrollers while you’re at it)!

NOTE: these programs are only open to trained FRPP volunteers, or participants scheduled for a volunteer training prior to the program date.

Colorado 14ers Initiative Alpine Ecology & Stewardship Training

Join Walking Mountains Science Center & the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative to learn about CFI's peak steward program while hiking to Colorado's most stunning alpine environments!

This training supplements CFI's web-based training for new & returning peak stewards. Participation in the peak steward program & the web training is not required to register and anyone interested in learning more about CFI, the peak steward program, or Colorado's alpine ecology is encouraged to join!

Adopt-a-Trail Community Trail Crew

Learn about the science behind sustainable trails, and give back to your local trails on these community trail work days. All tools are provided, just come ready to get your hands dirty out on the trail! Trail work sessions are three hours, and include non-alcoholic drinks and light snacks after we're done putting in work on the trail.

The Community Trail Crew is open to volunteers ages 12+ (volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult parent or guardian). No trail work experience is required!