Start Date
3-2-2021 11:35 AM
End Date
3-2-2021 11:45 AM
Abstract
Wildlife cameras have been used to document animal diversity in the Rock Creek Environmental Studies Center (RCESC) on the Portland Community College (PCC) Rock Creek campus for the last five years (2016 – 2020). The RCESC is a 110-acre natural area composed of upland coniferous forest, wetlands, and oak woodland habitat located on the western edge of the Urban Growth Boundary and connected with the Tualatin Mountains via Rock Creek. This area is managed to provide wildlife habitat, floodplain function, and experiential learning for students and the broader community. In 2017, a wetland enhancement project was initiated in partnership with Clean Water Services to restore floodplain hydrology and improve wildlife habitat in the RCESC. As part of the environmental studies program at PCC, faculty and students have engaged in research projects using wildlife camera images to address a range of questions about wildlife diversity, animal behavior, habitat usage patterns, and potential effects of the wetland restoration efforts and development on wildlife. In the pivot to remote instruction during the pandemic, the wildlife camera data has been especially valuable in providing authentic, place-based research opportunities via an online format. In this presentation we will highlight data on species diversity and animal activity patterns over several seasons. This research can be used to help inform local conservation and land use planning efforts. We will also share challenges and lessons learned from using wildlife cameras as a tool in environmental education.
Subjects
Environmental education, Habitat restoration, Wildlife biology
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/35493
Rights
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Wildlife cameras on college campus provide community engagement and research opportunities
Wildlife cameras have been used to document animal diversity in the Rock Creek Environmental Studies Center (RCESC) on the Portland Community College (PCC) Rock Creek campus for the last five years (2016 – 2020). The RCESC is a 110-acre natural area composed of upland coniferous forest, wetlands, and oak woodland habitat located on the western edge of the Urban Growth Boundary and connected with the Tualatin Mountains via Rock Creek. This area is managed to provide wildlife habitat, floodplain function, and experiential learning for students and the broader community. In 2017, a wetland enhancement project was initiated in partnership with Clean Water Services to restore floodplain hydrology and improve wildlife habitat in the RCESC. As part of the environmental studies program at PCC, faculty and students have engaged in research projects using wildlife camera images to address a range of questions about wildlife diversity, animal behavior, habitat usage patterns, and potential effects of the wetland restoration efforts and development on wildlife. In the pivot to remote instruction during the pandemic, the wildlife camera data has been especially valuable in providing authentic, place-based research opportunities via an online format. In this presentation we will highlight data on species diversity and animal activity patterns over several seasons. This research can be used to help inform local conservation and land use planning efforts. We will also share challenges and lessons learned from using wildlife cameras as a tool in environmental education.