Census Takers To Count Every Squirrel In Central Park

CENTRAL PARK, NY — A group of scientists, storytellers, graphic designers and statisticians have made it their mission to count every single squirrel, specifically the Eastern gray (sciurus carolinensis) species, in Central Park — and they need New Yorkers to lend a helping hand.

The minds behind the Squirrel Census are taking their talents to the United States' most famous park after completing censuses in the Atlanta suburb on Inman Park in 2012 and 2016. The group sees Central Park as its "moon mission," Squirrel Census Field Commander Josh O'Connor told Patch.

"If we can count all the squirrels in Central Park there's probably no urban setting we couldn't count if we wanted to," O'Connor said. "It was several years ago when we started discussing other places to count and we all kind of agreed if we could do Central Park that would be our moon mission."

The Squirrel Census will commence on Saturday, Oct. 6 and conclude on Oct. 20, O'Connor said. The goal is to get an accurate count of the park's squirrel population by sending volunteers to scan all 341.15 hectares (about 843 acres). More than 150 people have already signed up as census volunteers.

Volunteers will be assigned a study area of three hectares for a shift that lasts about two hours, O'Connor said. While volunteers scan their assigned areas they are supposed to take a tally of each squirrel they see as well as note down how the animals interacted with their surroundings. Things to look for include: what color the squirrels are, how large they appear, how old they may be and whether they are living in close proximity to other animals.

New Yorkers will be able to experience the beloved park like never before by volunteering with the census, O'Connor said.

"You may have been to Central Park many times, but most likely as someone who has lived in New York or has been to New York many times your experience of Central Park will change with the squirrel census. You are going to see the park in a different way, especially when you are focusing on two or three small hectares," O'Connor said. "They are going to get a new appreciation for what the park is and the habitat that the squirrels depend on in the park."

After the census takers complete their count of Central Park they plan to create the most accurate and up-to-date map and count of the park's squirrel population. The findings will be shared with the public, census organizers said.

People interested in volunteering can sign up on the Squirrel Census' website.

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