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HERPETOFAUNA OF THE DUKE FOREST

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In 2024, the Office of the Duke Forest is leading our sixth year of the
herpetofauna (or “herp”) community science program. This program engages
volunteer scientists to monitor amphibians and reptiles—collectively known
as herpetofauna—at specific sites in the Duke Forest. Herpetofauna are
increasingly important today as their populations are key indicators of the
effects of climate change and habitat fragmentation on wildlife.

This program is also valuable for volunteers, allowing them to participate in
scientific field research, learn about Duke Forest fauna, and work alongside
like-minded nature lovers. We encourage volunteers of all backgrounds and
experience levels to apply to participate (you don’t have to be a herp
expert!) Read the full program details and apply below.




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PURPOSE & IMPACT: Community scientists help the Duke Forest to collect wildlife
data on a scale that we never could do alone. Over time, we can learn more about
the herpetofauna that currently exist here and how to better manage the Forest
so that they thrive. This program is part of a larger effort underway at the
Duke Forest to better protect and promote the wildlife species that call it
home. Additionally, Duke faculty and students directly incorporate these data
into research and class projects, and wildlife biologists and conservation
partners can use them to map animal distributions and wildlife connectivity.

Our program is advised by Dr. Nicolette Cagle, Nicholas School of the
Environment professor.

TIME COMMITMENT: 

 * We are seeking dedicated community scientists who will commit to the entirety
   of the program from late February through October 2024.
 * Volunteers are grouped into teams of about six people. Every week, your team
   is responsible for designating at least two teammates to complete 1
   monitoring visit. A monitoring visit consists of both field data collection
   at a transect in the Duke Forest and computer-based data entry at home.
 * Teammates will share the work (you may be able to take an occasional “off
   week”), but each community scientist is responsible for participating in team
   communications to coordinate weekly activity.
 * On average, the total commitment per week is ~1-2 hours (excluding travel
   time to the Forest).

ACCESSIBILITY & COVID-19 SAFETY:

Walking in a forested environment involves obstacles, uneven surfaces,
significant slopes, and moderate distances. Mobility consistent with that
demonstrated in the video on the right is required for participation in this
program. For those with less mobility, there may still be other ways to
contribute to this project, and we welcome you to email dukeforest@duke.edu to
inquire about these opportunities.



Duke Forest follows the Covid-19 safety policies of Duke University, found
at coronavirus.duke.edu. Herpetofauna data collection requires participants from
various households to work together outdoors, occasionally without the
possibility of social distancing. We highly encourage participants to be
vaccinated and boosted and ask all participants to be respectful of those who
prefer to wear a facemask.


2024 SEASON SCHEDULE

January 18Volunteer applications open.January 30Volunteer applications due
by end of day.1st week of FebruaryApplicants are notified of acceptance.Mon, Feb
19 from 6-8pmMandatory* virtual training (on Zoom)

*If you are new or have not participated in the Herp Program within the past
year (January 2023 onward), you are required to attend the virtual training. For
returning volunteers who did participate in 2023, this training is optional.Sat,
Feb 24 from 9-11am

STORM DATE: Sun, Feb 25 from 9-11amMandatory in-person training, outdoors in the
Duke Forest.

All participants (even returning volunteers) are required to attend the
in-person training, in order to satisfy data collection procedures and
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee protocols. This training will occur
even in a light drizzle, but it will be rescheduled to Sunday in the case of
thunderstorms.Feb 28-June 30Monitoring visits take place Wednesday to Sunday of
each week.July 3-July 7No transect visits conducted. Holiday break for July 4th
week!July 10-Sept 22Monitoring visits take place Wednesday to Sunday of each
week.Sept 25-Oct 27Transect Visits take place on Saturdays and Sundays ONLY.
Duke Forest’s annual Deer Herd Reduction Program begins on Mon, September 23 and
the Forest will be closed on weekdays for deer hunting.Sun, Oct 27End of 2024
Herp Program



Please fill out the application linked below to indicate your desire to
participate in the 2024 Herpetofauna Community Science Program. This is an
application and does not guarantee inclusion in the program. Please also note
the following requirements:

 * Participants must commit to the entirety of the 2024 season, from late
   February through October.
 * Must complete all trainings led by Duke Forest staff—including virtual and
   in-person trainings (details in the program schedule above).
 * Must be 18 years of age or older. (Minors may be able to participate with a
   parent but must reach out to dukeforest@duke.edu for advanced consideration.)
 * Must be able to spend an average of 1-2 hours per week in the field and at
   home submitting data (your team will share some of the work).
 * Will not be asked and are not allowed to directly handle the animals.
 * Must be willing to work in a team and communicate clearly to schedule visits,
   collect data, and enter data.
 * All interested individuals must apply. If you have a friend or partner who
   would like to participate, please encourage them to fill out their own
   application.

Applications are now closed. Check back in early 2025!


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2023 Herpetofauna Observed



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