Getting Started with Perry County Nature Watch:
1. Select your observation location and choose from two options.
For a specific location that you frequent, choose the WTW Specific Location Form. An example would be your backyard, a local waterbody, a lake or stream, or a local park.
For a general route that you travel or hike frequently, choose the WTW Observation Form. Example--I commute on Interstate 80 between Clearfield and DuBois, Pennsylvania daily for work* Note: you can have more than one site or route to monitor if desired, but each site must be treated and reported on individually.
2. Research your chosen location and submit a description of your location(s) Description should include the following information:
Latitude and Longitude. If observing activities on a route you frequent, please include the latitude and longitude coordinates of both the starting and ending locations.
Altitude. If observing a route, please include information about varying altitude. For example, if you live at the bottom of a mountain, but have to go up a mountain to get to work, you'll need to include the altitude for where you live, the altitude for where you work, and any variances in latitude along your route.
3. Watch and report on wildlife. (Refer to the Resource list for help identifying wildlife.)
What wildlife you observe by sight or by sound, and Wildlife tracks you spot.
Please submit a photo(s) if possible
Note that it's important to report on wildlife that's alive and wildlife that you might see that's not alive.
Remember to report not only what you see or hear, but also what you should be seeing and/or hearing, but are not.
For example, if you normally observe Blue Jays and they are not being seen or heard in your area, we would like that reflected in your observations as well.
4. Watch and report on wild flowers, trees and plants. (refer to the Resource list found on this page for help identifying flowers, plants, and trees)
What did you observe?
Example 1: I noticed that the maple trees' leaves are beginning to change to red.
Example 2: Garlic Mustard is on the border of my location, and it looks like Mile-a-Minute is just beginning to show.
Example 3: the Mountain Pine Beetle is beginning to affect a stand of pine trees at my location.
Please submit photos.
5. Watch and report on wild weather.
Report on basic weather events like snow and rain but also on more extreme events, such as hail, sleet, thunder, lightning, tornados, hurricanes, flooding, and drought. Also Days that the temperature reaches 100 or more degrees and Boiling Water and Drought notices--water restrictions in the immediate and surrounding areas.
If known or announced, is your area's water table below normal or above and if so, how much?
6. Report on Water Conditions (if monitoring a site near water)
What did you observe?
Example: water color was grayish or a seen on the water was noted. Also for example: dead fish or birds were observed floating on the water.
7. Accurately record your observations on the Watch the Wild™ Observation Form and file paper copies of your observations where you can find them next season.
8. Submit your observations to the Watch the Wild™ Coordinator and be sure to copy your submissions to the SCCA via email or mail.
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