Coyotes are charismatic animals that often evoke excitement when encountered by people in urban areas. The Portland Urban Coyote Project capitalizes on this excitement and uses education, outreach, and research to improve habitat for urban wildlife, increase awareness of the importance of coyotes for ecosystem sustainability, and reduce negative interactions between coyotes and people. We use community science to document patterns in human-coyote interactions in Washington, Multnomah, and Clackamas Counties. Coyotes are an important component of many urban landscapes and are a compelling conduit for people in urban areas to observe, appreciate, and conserve wildlife.
We are collaborating with Portland State University, Portland Audubon, Willamette River Keepers, the Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to analyze patterns in human perceptions in over 5,000 community-reported interactions with coyotes. We are also developing virtual and hands-on learning opportunities to present to community members using results from our analyses. For additional information please visit our project website.