Help scientists track Utah’s Fox Squirrel population

Photo: Photo by Ray Shrewsberry

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Natural History Museum of Utah is calling on residents to help track the spread of Eastern fox squirrels through its annual Squirrel Fest data collection event running Dec. 6-14.

The nine-day citizen science project asks Utahns to survey squirrel populations across the state and submit their observations to help researchers understand the ecological impact of the non-native species, which was recently introduced to northern Utah. “We are interested in places where fox squirrels are living, but also in places where they aren’t living,” according to the museum.

Participants can submit surveys from any location — home, work, school, or while out walking — and may contribute as many surveys from different places as they choose. The museum encourages observers to resurvey areas they’ve documented previously to track changes over time.

The first 250 people to complete a survey during Squirrel Fest 2025 will receive a limited-edition sticker.

The museum launched Squirrel Fest in December 2020 to establish consistent annual data on Eastern fox squirrel presence in Utah. December offers ideal observation conditions, as squirrels remain active while many trees have shed their leaves, making them easier to spot.

Since 2020, Utah residents have submitted thousands of squirrel surveys to the museum.

The event kicked off Saturday with a drop-in session from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Level 2 of the museum, where Vertebrate Zoology Collections Manager Destiny Gonzales answered questions about squirrels.

Survey information and details are available on the museum’s website.