WILDLIFE OBSERVATION CARD 

DATE 

(MM/DD/YYYY)

SPECIES 

(Common or Latin)

LOCATION NAME & UTM Coordinates 

or distance and direction from mapped feature GPS 

Y/N

#ADULTS/ 

#YOUNG 

VEGETATION 

CODE 

(see reverse) 

OBSERVER 

(Name/Contact info)

 

Muir, John (Example) 

07/15/1878 American Dipper Merced River at Swinging Bridge, 

UTM Coord: 270901E, 4179796N 

Y 1ad+2yg 10100 

jmuir@naturelover.ynp

 

Please return to any Yosemite Visitor Center, Park Entrance Station, or mail to: 

Wildlife Biologist, Resources Management and Science, 

Yosemite NP, P.O. Box 700, El Portal, CA 95318 

PLANT COMMUNITY TYPE CODE

SHRUBS AND CHAPARRAL

Montane/Alpine Riparian Shrub .........................................................................................36100 

Montane Chaparral.............................................................................................................37500 

MEADOW COMMUNITIES

Montane Meadow...............................................................................................................45100 

Subalpine/Alpine Meadow..................................................................................................45200 

WOODLAND (More open canopy than forest) 

Oak Woodland....................................................................................................................71100 

Gray Pine/Oak Woodland...................................................................................................71410 

Juniper Woodland ..............................................................................................................71500 

Riparian (stream-side) Woodland.......................................................................................76000 

BROADLEAVED UPLAND FOREST (More closed canopy than woodland) 

Oak Forest (Black Oak or Live Oak) ..................................................................................81300 

White Alder Riparian (stream-side) Forest.........................................................................81800 

Aspen Forest ......................................................................................................................81900 

LOWER MONTANE CONIFEROUS FOREST

Ponderosa Pine Forest.......................................................................................................84210 

Sierran Mixed Coniferous Forest........................................................................................84230 

Giant Sequoia Forest .........................................................................................................84250 

UPPER MONTANE CONIFEROUS FOREST

Jeffrey Pine Forest .............................................................................................................85110 

Western White Pine Forest ................................................................................................85120 

Jeffrey Pine-Fir Forest........................................................................................................85210 

Red Fir Forest ....................................................................................................................85310 

SUBALPINE CONIFEROUS FOREST

Lodgepole Pine Forest .......................................................................................................86100 

Mixed Subalpine Coniferous Forest ...................................................................................86200 

Whitebark Pine Forest........................................................................................................86600 

Mountain Hemlock Forest ..................................................................................................86800 

ALPINE

Alpine Boulder/Rock Field..................................................................................................91000 

Alpine Glacier .....................................................................................................................93200 

OTHER

Low Angle Rock Slabs/Domes and Ledges .......................................................................91230 

Cliffs/Barren Rock Outcrops...............................................................................................95000

Water..................................................................................................................................10100 

WILDLIFE OBSERVATIONS FOR YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

You can play an important role in improving our understanding of 

Yosemite’s wildlife. Information on the presence and distribution of most 

animals in Yosemite is limited to certain locations and seasons. Accurate 

observations you contribute will become a permanent part of our resource 

database. This valuable tool helps us understand distribution patterns, 

provides a basis for long-term monitoring of Yosemite’s ecological health, 

and assists in planning and interpreting Yosemite’s resources to the 

public. 

Here are some guidelines for completing these forms: 

1. Any mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, or invertebrate observation 

is useful. We are especially interested in rare and sensitive species, 

including amphibians, bats, mountain lions, fishers, and raptors; and nonnative species, including wild turkey, white-tailed ptarmigan, beaver, and 

bullfrog. 

2. ACCURACY OF IDENTIFICATION IS IMPORTANT! If you're not quite 

certain of the species of animal you observe, seek guidance from a field 

guide or knowledgeable person. Feel free to use additional lines to 

explain basis of identification (especially for rare species, e.g., wolverine, 

fisher, Yosemite toad), behavior, habitat, and any breeding activity. 

3. Please be specific about location. Include a place name. When 

recording GPS location, use UTM NAD 1983 Zone 11 North datum. 

Alternatively, you can use distance and direction from an object named on 

a USGS quad map (e.g., 1.5 miles SW of Ragged Peak). 

4. Please print clearly. Include your name and contact information in 

case we have questions. 

5. Please note the plant community type in which your observation 

occurs; use the codes provided on this card.