A Citizen Science Project Monitoring Wildlife in New York
Snapshot NY allows anyone across the state to host a trail camera, providing critical data on wildlife population status, trends, and distribution. Our goal is to harness the power of people to improve wildlife conservation and management strategies. Sign up to host a camera today!
Help us study the mammals of New York!
Snapshot NY uses trail camera images to capture the shy and elusive mammal species in New York that you may not see otherwise! These trail camera images provide crucial data and information on these mammal species which allows us to inform evidence-based decision making and management.
Building an engaged community of citizen scientists in New York
Snapshot NY is designed to inspire the citizens of New York to be interested and involved in the wildlife species that inhabit our state. We provide a unique opportunity for groups, individuals, families, and students from all walks of life to get involved and contribute meaningfully to monitoring New York's incredible wildlife!
FAQs
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Anyone can become a citizen scientist and be a part of Snapshot NY. Create a Snapshot NY account here, sign up for a survey block and request a camera loan if you need one, and download the app onto your smartphone. Use the website and the smartphone app to submit data.
Use the app when you set up a trail camera. Creating an account allows citizen scientists to keep track of submissions. You'll be on your way to being a part of wildlife research when you take Snapshot NY with you outdoors!
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Absolutely! Snapshot NY is interested in where people do not see wildlife too! If you spend time outdoors anywhere in New York State and have legal access to set up a trail cam on private land in a natural area, then you can be a citizen scientist for Snapshot NY. Snapshot NY is for outdoor and nature enthusiasts who are interested in seeing what wildlife is in their area! You can also help by spreading the word to your friends, neighbors, and community members.
If you don’t have access to private lands - that’s okay! You can still participate by setting up a camera at your nearest state forest or wildlife management area. Indicate inn your application that you want to place a camera on public lands, and a Snapshot NY team member will be in contact with more instructions.
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This work is a collaboration between Cornell University, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC, the state agency that manages wildlife in New York), and the New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (NYCFWRU). The NYCFWRU is a partnership between the US Geological Survey, the NYSDEC, and Cornell University.
See our about page to meet the team members and our resources page to contact us.
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Snapshot NY collects data on the presence and absence of mammals, through "detection/non-detection data". Detection data refers to when an animal was detected and a photo taken by a trail camera. Non-detection refers to when the camera was functioning, but the species was not detected.
Snapshot NY also needs to know where and when citizen scientists collect this information. This is why it is important to enter an accurate location and time for your cameras. Questions like "The height of your camera" and "What is the brand of the camera" allow researchers to look at the data in different ways.
