Volunteer for Snapshot NY

Apply to volunteer with Snapshot NY as a trail camera host and get the unique opportunity to view the incredible wildlife that calls your home or favorite place their natural habitat while contributing to wildlife management and conservation! Volunteers select one of the 4,532 survey blocks to monitor wildlife.

Sign up or login if you already have an account!

Training is provided to volunteers via online video tutorials, written protocols, and occasional in-person workshops.

Training videos coming soon! See our resources tab for more training information!

The requirements of participation include:

  1. Ownership or access to private land where the trail camera will be placed (or permission to use public lands).

  2. Basic computer/phone skills.

  3. Own a mobile phone that can download apps.

  4. Own a laptop/desktop that can read SD cards (we have some USB SD card readers available upon request).

  5. The ability to deploy and retrieve the camera/SD cards and upload all photographs to the Snapshot NY portal.

If you don't have your own trail camera you can apply to borrow one!

A moose lying on the ground in a forest with green trees in the background, showcasing large antlers.
Black and white drawing of a trail camera

As part of your involvement in the project, you will have the opportunity to survey and get a glimpse of wildlife few rarely see.

What lives on your property? A twelve-point buck? An elusive bobcat? Adorable bear cubs? A magical marten? Or a fantastical fisher?

Here is your chance to find out, and support the conservation and management of these species at the same time.

three black bears caught on a trail camera
A hand-drawn illustration of a trail camera

The checklist will guide you through the following steps:

1)      Sign up!

2)      Complete user profile

3)      Chose a grid cell

4)      Deploy your camera

5) Upload your photos

A trail camera mounted on a tree in a forest with batteries inside, capturing wildlife activity.

Download our app and get started today!