Starting to Watch the Wild

Download the Watch the Wild Observation Form - PDF


The forms on this site are fillable PDF forms that are setup to open in a new window.

These forms once filled out will be emailed to Volunteer@natureabounds.org.

Pressing the submit button will bring up options on how to proceed with sending. 

Choice 1 will be to use your default email program such as Microsoft Outlook Express, Microsoft Outlook, Eudora, Mail etc...

Choice 2 will bring up instructions to save the pdf and attach it to your web based email such as Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc...

Step by Step Instructions for

Getting Started with

Watch the Wild™

1. Select your observation location*. Choose from the options below:

• Choose a specific location that you frequent. An example would be your backyard, a local waterbody, a lake or stream, or a local park. 

For a specific Site Click here to fill out the form 

• Choose a general route that you travel or hike frequently. Example--I commute on Interstate 80 between Clearfield and DuBois, Pennsylvania daily for work. 

For a Route Site click here to fill out the form

* 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 found on this page for help identifying wildlife.) Resource List

• What wildlife you observe by sight or by sound,  
• 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.

Also, 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.
• Days that the temperature reaches 100 or more degrees.
• 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 sheen on the water was noted. Also for example: dead fish or birds were observed floating on the water.

7. Record your observations on the Watch the Wild™ Observation Form. (Click here for Form)

• 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

• by email to info@natureabounds.org
• or by mailing them to

Nature Abounds

Attn: Watch the Wild

PO Box 241

Clearfield, PA 16830.