The Biodiversity Institute
Our Mission
The mission of the Biodiversity Institute is to foster the understanding, appreciation and conservation of biological diversity through innovative research, education, and outreach, and by engaging a broad audience in the scientific process.
The Biodiversity Institute works with scientists, resource managers, educators, and the public to further the understanding and conservation of biodiversity. We seek to provide a unique service to Wyoming and beyond by facilitating collaborative research projects, disseminating research, distributing grants, and providing educational, outreach, and citizen science programs for scientists, students and the public
Join the Biodiversity Institute on our journey of discovery!
2021 Annual Report
The World Needs More Wonder - The University of Wyoming Biodiversity Institute 2021 Annual Report.
A Critical Message
The UW Biodiversity Institute stands in solidarity with everyone demanding equal access to the resources and benefits of our society, including justice, healthcare, quality education, and safety to recreate, and support to do professional and community science We recognize the inequities of our national, state, and local institutions. We are committed to being more inclusive in our actions and programs and to making more accessible the understanding and appreciation of biological diversity topics.
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Social Media & Events
Research Funding Highlights
In-Press Publications
In-press research publications funded by Biodiversity Institute grants and produced by BI affiliated faculty and staff.
For a complete list of primary academic, and natural science publications click here.
Community Science Programs
The mission of the Global Vegetation Project is to inspire and empower people of all ages to learn about the diversity of vegetation on our planet and to provide educators with a resource for teaching online.
Many adult salamanders are killed when they cross the roads in the spring. Many drivers do not know the salamanders exist, and they are small and difficult to see on rainy nights if you don’t know to look for them! You can help Laramie’s tiger salamanders by assisting with their migration and reporting your salamander sightings.
Our Winter and Summer Moose Days are an opportunity for community members to participate in the management and conservation of area moose populations, while enjoying our national forests at the same time!
The Monarchs and Milkweeds program is designed to work with you - citizen scientists across Wyoming - to gather observations of where, when and how many monarchs and milkweed plants you find in the state. Through this, we hope to gain a better understanding of where monarchs migrate through Wyoming, at what time of year, and in what densities.
Are you interested in exploring a post-fire ecosystem in the Medicine Bow Mountains, contributing to scientific knowledge, and learning more about fire ecology and biological recovery? Join us on October 23rd for a free field trip to the Mullen Fire burn area and learn about upcoming, exciting opportunities to contribute to our understanding of post-fire recovery.
Did you know... that Wyoming’s streams and lakes are home to seven kinds of native mussels? You may not have noticed them, and they are not the kind you can eat, but they are working hard behind the scenes to keep Wyoming’s waters clean!
Frogs, toads and salamanders are disappearing around the world - but you can help by tracking their whereabouts in the Rocky Mountain region! Adopt a catchment, visit the site to find which frogs, toads and salamanders you can find, and be part of the Rocky Mountain Amphibian Project!
Community science is a collaborative research effort that connects scientists and science enthusiasts in the broader community. Anyone can become part of the scientific process by participating in community science projects and collecting data to answer important research questions.
The Biodiversity Institute and Audubon Rockies host an annual 24-hour Bioblitz event in which teams of scientists, teachers, volunteers, environmental educators, and community members join forces to find, identify, and learn about as many local plant, insect and animal species as possible.
Did you know turkey vultures serve a vital role in Wyoming as recyclers and “cleaners?” Yet, even as one of the most widely distributed North American vultures, little is understood about them in Wyoming. Join us in a new community science project to help researchers learn more about these fascinating birds in our state