The Biodiversity Institute
Our Mission
The Biodiversity Institute fosters the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of biological diversity by engaging a broad audience in the scientific process. We work with scientists, resource managers, educators, and the public to offer a unique service to Wyoming, our nation, and the world, by facilitating collaborative research projects, synthesizing and disseminating research, distributing grants, and providing educational, outreach, and community science programs for students and the public
2023 Annual Report
The University of Wyoming Biodiversity Institute 2023 Annual Report. Download Here
Join the Biodiversity Institute on our journey of discovery!
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 Atlas is a community science project aimed at gathering the data needed to track and conserve bumble bees.
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.
Our iNaturalist programs are designed to work with you - community scientists across Wyoming - to gather observations of where, when and how many organisms exist of a particular species.
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
Wyoming Tick Surveillance is a new community science surveillance program that entails collecting ticks, identifying the species, and testing the ticks for pathogens that cause disease.