Cedar Creek: Eyes on the Wild — Wildlife Classification for Ecosystem Research

Project Summary

1 homeschool student contributed 2,039 wildlife classifications to the Cedar Creek: Eyes on the Wild citizen science project, helping researchers understand animal interactions and ecosystem dynamics at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve.

Detailed Story

Cayley H, a homeschool student in Fort Wayne, Indiana, channeled her love of wildlife into meaningful scientific contribution through the Zooniverse citizen science project “Cedar Creek: Eyes on the Wild.” The project tasks volunteers with reviewing photos captured by a network of over 100 camera traps spread across the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, identifying animals and helping researchers understand how species interact within the ecosystem. Cayley threw herself into the work, logging an impressive 2,039 classifications through her Zooniverse profile (@Cay_H). As she described it, “The incredible imagery captured in this project has further inspired my love of wildlife and the interconnected systems they thrive in.” Her contribution represents real scientific data that supports ongoing research into biodiversity and species interactions at the reserve.

Impact Statement

1 student contributed 2,039 wildlife photo classifications to active ecological research, supporting scientists studying animal interactions and biodiversity at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve. As Cayley reflected, the project deepened her appreciation for “the interconnected systems” that wildlife thrive in — a core lesson of climate science brought to life through hands-on citizen science.