JOIN OUR MONTANA
WILDLIFE CONNECTIVITY
TEAM

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
In 2019 we launched the first phase of a four-year project to document roadkill and wildlife across Montana. These data will be used by partners to implement mitigation strategies with the goal of reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions.

We Need Your Help 

Are you an avid cyclist based in or planning extensive travel through Montana?
We are seeking adventurous individuals who pay close attention to detail, follow through on their commitments in a timely matter, ​and are able to regularly communicate with the Adventure Scientists team. 

General qualifications:
  • 18 years of age or older.
  • Access to and proficiency with an iPhone 6 or Android equivalent (or later generation smartphone).
  • Ability to safely cycle on Montana state highways with at least one partner.
  • Previous field data collection experience is preferred but not required.

The Nitty-Gritty Details

Timeframe
To capture roadkill and wildlife data representative of each season, we've divided our study into a series of ride periods. You can choose to volunteer for a single ride period or commit to multiple, although we prefer a commitment to multiple since this is a long-term project. 

September 2019: complete!
​
May 16 - 25, 2020 ​cancelled due to COVID-19
June 19 - 28, 2020 complete!
August 7 - 16 complete!
​September 18 - 27, 2020

May 14 - 23, 2021
June 18 - 27, 2021
August 6 - 15, 2021
September 17 - 28, 2021

The project continues May 2022 - September 2022, exact dates TBD.
Data Collection Requirements
Within a cycling field season, you and a partner are asked to collect wildlife data along a 25-mile segment of roadway, by riding out and back for a total of 50 miles.

If 50 miles is too far, you can make it into a relay! Each additional team member needs to be signed up and trained.

If 50 miles isn't far enough, link a few segments together and make it an epic multi-day ride. There's nothing like packing everything you need on a bike and exploring this state. We can help reserve multiple routes for you.

As you ride your route, you will consistently scan the road and roadside for any signs of roadkill and live wildlife. When you see an animal (dead or alive), you will stop to take photos and additional metadata of the occurrence.

This project protocol requires you to go slow, stay engaged, and focus on collecting high-quality data—it's not race time!
Training and Equipment
All volunteers need to complete online training modules and a comprehensive quiz prior to getting out in the field. We will offer a variety of optional educational webinars and readings to supplement your education. 

To volunteer for this project, you must provide your own bike, helmet, and smartphone. We will provide you with additional safety gear, protocols, and project swag.  
Please allow 10-15 minutes to complete the application. 

Our Montana Partners

Our partners at the Montana Department of Transportation and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will use the data to add value to a suite of other data sources to make informed decisions on the planning and implementation of wildlife accommodations intended to reduce wildlife-vehicle conflicts and reduce transportation-related barriers to wildlife movement.