Metro Regional Parks & Green Spaces-Amphibian, Bird and Reptile Monitoring program provides valuable information about Metro’s natural areas while offering a unique and in-depth service opportunity for community members. By focusing on indicator species, such as amphibians and birds, volunteers provide data to help Metro’s science and stewardship team gauge the progress of its restoration efforts and track the effects of public use on wildlife.

Metro Regional Parks & Green Spaces-Amphibian, Bird, and  Reptile Monitoring program is expanding and offers interesting opportunities like monitoring nesting Western Gray Squirrels in a critical habitat. Volunteers are also needed to monitor populations of frogs, salamanders, turtles, and birds as well as special biological monitoring projects as needed.   

For winter term there are opportunities to survey amphibian indicator species to determine the quality and extent of their habitat and the impact of Metro’s restoration projects. This will provide a field opportunity for those interested in the sciences. Search for, identify, and count amphibian egg masses and track results on data sheets or handheld data recorders and develop a guided mastery of identification keys and data sheets. Volunteers must be capable of performing physical labor that includes bending, twisting, and some lifting as well as the ability to walk on uneven surfaces without defined trails, to wade in cold water up to 30 inches deep in ponds with muddy bottoms. The ability to operate canoe or kayak would be a great asset at some sites.