URBAN

From page A8

A small sign next to each camera explains its purpose and offers a scannable QR code that links to the study’s website, a story map developed by Kim Sparks, Administrative Analyst in the Research, Evaluation and Compliance Division and the AGFC’s Geographic Information Systems team. The site features noteworthy images taken so far and an overview of the effort’s goals.

The project is much more than simply taking pictures of animals and capturing rarely seen animal interactions, it has the potential to spawn many research opportunities for students at Hendrix College.

“The database of images and times of events can be used for many projects that focus on interactions between humans and wildlife,” Gramza said. “Data from this study could be used for many future projects, including graduate student research, planning future development in ways that benefit wildlife, and working with communities to promote positive interactions between humans and wildlife.”

Program participants are hoping to use images from the study to help people in urban environments make a connection with wildlife and natural resources wherever they occur.

“In rural communities, people are often very aware of the natural world around them, but as people in cities may not have the same connection,” Gramza said. “Being able to see some of these animals right down the street in a seemingly empty park may help people realize that link.”

Gramza hopes educators in both formal and nontraditional settings will take notice of the images and use them to share information about urban wildlife to their students. So far, the project already has been implemented by the Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock to develop a youth drawing class based around the camera photos.

The Central Arkansas Urban Wildlife Project is a partnership between the AGFC, Hendrix College and the Urban Wildlife Information Network, coordinated by Lincoln Park Zoo’s urban Wildlife institute. Visit the project’s website to learn more and view images collected so far of Little Rock’s wild side.