Planting the Seeds of Knowledge: A Year of Environmental Growth with the HC Libraries and Archives and Distinctive Collections: Squirrel Mapper

What is Squirrel Mapper?

Squirrel Mapper is a scientific study of color evolution in Eastern gray squirrels, powered by volunteer citizen scientist contributions. The researchers are exploring squirrel evolution in response to changes in their habitats, their adaptation to new environments, their physiology, and their behavior. 

The project relies on photos taken, uploaded, and classified by citizen scientists like you. To contribute, just look around your neighborhood or campus for squirrels. When you see one, take a photo and submit it to the project on iNaturalist. Researchers then examine submitted photos to confirm if what is pictured is an Eastern gray squirrel. If it is, the photo is then added to the dataset in Zooniverse, where more citizen scientists can work on classifying the squirrel coat color.

Be a Squirrel Scout with HC Libraries!

Join us in Dinand Library for a squirrel mapping event on Wednesday, October 1 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Visit the library conference room (Dinand room 101A) to pick up your squirrel mapping instructions. Then, roam around campus and take photos of any squirrels you see to upload to the Squirrel Mapper project. Come back to Dinand to show us your photos and earn your Squirrel Scout Badge!

Plus, enjoy squirrel themed crafts and learn more about citizen science.

Wednesday, October 1

4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Dinand Library Conference Room

Note: You may want to download the iNaturalist app before the event!

Publications

Citizen science is a collaboration between the public and researchers. Often, citizen science leads to scholarly research publications. Below are some publications about the Squirrel Mapper project. 

Fusco, N., Cosentino, B.J., Gibbs, J.P., and 33 other authors. (2023). Population genomic structure of a widespread, urban-dwelling mammal: The eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). Molecular Ecology, 33(3), e17230. doi.org/10.1111/mec.17230

Cosentino B.J., Vanek J.P., Gibbs J.P. (2023). Rural selection drives the evolution of an urban-rural cline in coat color in gray squirrels. Ecology and Evolution, 13(10), e10544. doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10544

Cosentino, B.J. and J.P. Gibbs. (2022). Parallel evolution of urban-rural clines in melanism in a widespread mammal. Scientific Reports 12(1), 1-7. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-05746-2

Fischman, B.J., B.J. Cosentino, and J.P. Gibbs. (2021, February 9). City squirrels look different. Is evolution driving a color change? Discover Magazine. www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/city-squirrels-look-different-is-evolution-driving-a-color-change

What is Citizen Science?

Citizen science is the practice of public participation in scientific research. Citizen science invites people of all education levels and backgrounds to collaborate in research and building scientific knowledge by contributing to data monitoring and collection projects. It is a connection between professional researchers and everyday people, and an opportunity for anyone to get involved in advancing scientific discovery.

Features of Citizen Science Projects

Barbara N. Flagg identifies four key features of citizen science projects:

1. Anyone can participate
2. Participants use the same protocol so data can be combined and be high quality
3. Data can help real scientists come to real conclusions
4. A wide community of scientists and volunteers work together and share data to which the public, as well as scientists, have access. 

Why is Citizen Science Important?

Citizen science brings scientific research right to your local community. It gives researchers the opportunity to collect data on a broader scope than ever before and gives individuals the opportunity to be directly involved in research that can positively benefit their lives. And, with more public participation in science, more people learn about the scientific process and issues affecting their communities and society as a whole. By connecting individuals, communities, and researchers, citizen science helps to advance scientific discovery and research.

Who Can Get Involved in Citizen Science?

Anyone! The goal of citizen science is for people across demographics and knowledge levels to get involved in data collection and research. Most people who participate in these projects are not professional scientists or researchers! They are high school students, college students, retirees, librarians, teachers, activists, athletes, gamers, you name it. Citizen science projects can be found in a range of subjects and topics, so you are likely to find one that interests you.

How to Get Involved

The links below connect to some online hosts for citizen science projects. Most of these sites allow you to browse by area, subject, or level of commitment to find a citizen science project that's right for you.