Research
Citizen Science Programs
Get involved in one of our citizen science programs and help us monitor the natural world around us.
Bluebird and Nest Monitoring
Help us monitor our nest boxes in the park this Spring. Call the museum at (914) 864-7322 or stop by to learn how!
Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Biodiversity Club
Join the club! This iNaturalist group is easy to join and allows you to share interesting sightings or helps you identify new ones. The goal of this group is to catalog and share the animals and plants that are seen in Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. Call the museum or stop by to learn more!
Turtle Program
In 2019, we discovered five species of turtles with a total of 75 turtle sightings. We were able to engage 85 students in research from local middle schools and high schools.
Thank you to the Friends of Trailside for helping fund this research!
Bears in Our Backyard
This presentation explains black bear biology, behavior, dispersal, and ways humans can safely coexist with them. Black bears typically weigh 150–600 pounds, stand about 3 feet on all fours and up to 7 feet upright, and have highly developed senses, especially smell. They are excellent climbers, fast runners (up to 30 mph), strong swimmers, and efficient hibernators. Cubs are born in winter, stay with their mother for about 1.5 years, and then disperse—males traveling farther than females. Bears can live 20–30 years in the wild.
The presentation concludes with state wildlife agency contacts for reporting sightings, damages, or dangerous bear behavior, as well as conservation resource links.
