Citizen Science Opportunities - Reptiles & Amphibians
Are you looking for an opportunity to volunteer your time helping wildlife? Are you willing to help collect data on species and their habitats? Maybe you want to teach others about fishing or hunting. Chapter 5 of the 2015 State Wildlife Action Plan lists education and outreach efforts as one of the fundamental strategies needing implementation in South Carolina to benefit priority wildlife species and their habitats. In particular, SCDNR and its partners should "promote volunteer participation, both in education and outreach programs as well as in data collection. [High priority]."
There are many opportunities for the public to help gather information that biologists and researchers can use in assessing species and their habitats. Sometimes our biologists need seasonal help with specific projects. That's when our volunteers become vitally important. Listed below are some citizen science weblinks. Some are for SCDNR programs while others take you to our conservation partners' websites.
Frogs
- Report the calls of frogs and toads to Frog Watch USA, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' citizen science program; also report here at the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP).
- : For our citizens living near the North Carolina border, the North Carolina Partners in Amphibian & Reptile Conservation has volunteer opportunities as well
Sea turtles
- Stranded or dead sea turtles should be reported or use the hotline at 800-922-5431.
- Report live sea turtle sightings.
- The SCDNR Marine Turtle Conservation Program webpage lists cooperator beaches and their associated websites to contact them directly for volunteer opportunities. These may include relocating nests above the high tide line and marking nesting beaches with signage.
- Volunteer with the Sea Turtle Rescue Program through the SC Aquarium.
Diamondback Terrapins
- Diamondback terrapin sightings can be reported online. Injured diamondback terrapins can be reported by calling 1-800-922-5431 or taken to a local wildlife rehabilitation center.
Additional Reptiles & Amphibians Opportunities
Snakes – Help SCDNR and University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL)
gather occurrences of snake species in SC.- Provide detailed data on the distribution of reptiles and amphibians of North and South Carolina through the Carolina Herp Atlas.