Become a community scientist
Community science (also called citizen science) is a joined effort between volunteers (you) and scientists (us) to study the natural world. Learn about some of our current projects and email [email protected] to get involved:
Nature Center Nest Box Project
New for 2025, Tracy Aviary Conservation is looking for volunteers to join our team for nest box monitoring surveys at the Nature Center at Pia Okwai and along the nearby Jordan River trail. During March – July, community science volunteers will conduct a 5-minute behavioral observation and check the contents of each box with a pole-mounted camera. This will help us learn more about the breeding behaviors of birds in our area and track their nest success.
Breeding Season Surveys (BSS)
As part of our year-round bird monitoring program, we train community scientists to conduct breeding season point count surveys at 12 sites around Salt Lake. These surveys help inform bird-friendly restoration, management, and land conservation. We welcome birders of any level, and we will teach participants bird identification by sight and sound, data recording skills, and everything else they need to know to conduct bird surveys. Our two month training program begins at the end of February and includes an initial training and pre-assessment test, weekly online bird ID trainings and field visits, and a post-assessment. Volunteers conduct breeding season surveys in the mornings during April – July.
Non-breeding Season Surveys (NBS)
Our community science team monitors birds at 13 sites in the Salt Lake valley to help inform bird-friendly management, restoration, and habitat conservation. During the non-breeding season (August through February), we visit each site once per month to do a non-breeding survey bird walk. A staff person leads a small group of volunteers on a walking survey through our site, identifying and counting birds. Generally, these surveys last approximately 2-5 hours, and you can choose how often you attend. Volunteers interested in joining this project can sign up to join the group online. The day before the survey, we will send an email with directions to the site, and recommendations for what to wear/bring.
Salt Lake Avian Collision Survey (SLACS)
This project investigates the interaction between light pollution and bird-building collisions. A majority of migratory birds travel at night, and light pollution can disorient them and cause them to fly into bright urban areas where they collide with windows before finding their way back out again. During April – May and September-October, SLACS volunteers conduct early morning surveys (dawn to ~8:30am) around buildings in downtown Salt Lake City looking for birds that have collided with buildings. Injured birds are taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center, and dead birds are collected to be donated to the Natural History Museum of Utah. These surveys are done alone or with members of your household. Volunteers are trained via an online training session and can sign up to complete surveys on any morning that is convenient for them.
North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS)
The North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is the nation’s largest and longest running community science project. Since it began in 1966, BBS has provided important information on avian population trends across the continent; it is also instrumental for statewide bird conservation and management in Utah. To participate, experienced birders sign up to complete a BBS survey route one time per year during the breeding season. Volunteers drive a 25 mile route and with 50 stops where they do a 3-minute point count survey. Tracy Aviary helps with coordination and recruitment of new volunteers to the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) in Utah as part of a partnership project with the Utah Division of Wildlife (UDWR).
Currently a volunteer? You can access resources and login to your volunteer portal by clicking the button below.