Bats in the sky photo by Katie Remine

Bats are a common urban wildlife species, but their nocturnal habits mean that people don’t often notice them unless we take a little time to learn how to observe them. We are empowering YOU to become a community scientist while learning more about local bat species and bat conservation issues. Why are bats important? Where do they live? Are there bats in my neighborhood? How do I know when there is a bat in the sky above me? Learn the answers to these questions and help us answer the question: Where and when are bats active around western Washington?

Woodland Park Zoo and Seattle University launched the Seattle Urban Carnivore Project t to explore how mammalian carnivores, such as coyotes, raccoons, bobcats, and even cougars and bears live and interact with people across urban and suburban areas in the Seattle region. Project staff, volunteers and community partners deploy camera traps in city and county parks across Seattle and throughout King County.

This project also includes our Carnivore Spotter website where you can contribute your carnivore observations and explore sightings on a map!

Community scientists looking out for local amphibians

Community scientists have joined Woodland Park Zoo to document when and were local frogs, toads, newts and salamanders are breeding in Snohomish and King counties. The more we learn, the better we can protect the vanishing wetlands of Washington and their amphibian inhabitants.

Community volunteers help collect scientific data by observing amphibians in local conservation wetland areas. Each year our Amphibian Monitoring volunteers log hundreds of observations of amphibians across western Washington in the iNaturalist online collection of biodiversity observations.

Woodland Park Zoo is thrilled to help mobilize people across the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area (all of Snohomish, King and Pierce counties) to join the City Nature Challenge – a nature observation event using the iNaturalist app.

Help the Seattle-Tacoma Metropolitan Area (including Everett, Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma and any place within Snohomish, King and Pierce counties!) show the world how biodiverse our region is by making observations and identifications during the City Nature Challenge. City Nature Challenge typically happens near the end of April each year – so mark your calendar!

River otters are found in water systems all over Washington state. From 2016 to 2019, we asked for your help to spot them!

See the results