USGS Gap Analysis Program Naturemapping

The goal of NatureMapping is to involve local communities in the GAP program, by training individuals to monitor and map the species around them, and by providing tools to inventory and report their observations. While NatureMapping works primarily through schools, other communities can undertake projects as well.

NatureMapping grew out of the idea that to promote biodiversity, people need to gain a greater understanding of the connections between themselves and the animals, plants, insects, water and soil around them. By teaching people to record and report the plants and animals they see, and by using that data to document where species occur; NatureMapping helps strenghthen people's connections to nature. NatureMapping also helps build connections between scientists and non-scientists.

NatureMapping uses individual observation to create maps showing actual observations and predicted distributions.

How to Participate

The basis for the NatureMapping Program is the idea of biodiversity...that the animals, plants, insects, water, and soil communities that make up our world are linked together. Scientists and citizens need to learn how everything is connected.

If you enjoy watching fish and wildlife...you are already a NatureMapper. If you are interested in knowing what lives in your backyard, neighborhood stream, or other favorite place, or perhaps want to discover the health of the ecosystem around you, then we encourage you to participant in the NatureMapping Program.

Visit the Washington State NatureMapping page to learn more about workshops.

To Learn More

Presentations

WildlifeMapping: Status of Volunteer Wildlife Monitoring Data in Virginia - This presentation was given at the 2000 annual meeting of The Wildlife Society in Nashville, Tennessee. "Speaker notes" are included with each slide to provide additional information about the data or discussion points presented therein.

Educational Modules

The NatureMapping Biodiversity Modules - These biodiversity modules have been created by the Washington NatureMapping Program to help participants 'visualize' how the program works. Every component of the world around us is tied to the other. The biological cycles of the world respond to natural changes and changes imposed by development.