The San Diego Natural History Museum is launching a new study in collaboration with citizen scientists, the U.S. Forest Service, Big Bear Zoo, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to determine the distribution and habitat use of the San Bernardino Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus californicus), specifically along the urban edge where residential properties meet the natural environment. Information that is gathered will be tracked through iNaturalist.org, a platform in which citizen scientists can upload their observations to databases used by scientists.

Because this squirrel is currently only known to occur in the San Bernardino Mountains and is difficult to survey, in part due to its nocturnal habits, little is known of its biology or population trends, which is why we want to learn more. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently reviewing the status of this squirrel to determine if it should be protected under the Endangered Species Act.

The collaborative study will include visual surveys, the use of tree-mounted hair snares, and motion-activated cameras to better document the distribution of the flying squirrel in this region.

For more information on this study, please visit our website.