Using Social Science, Hazen Students Research and Document Deeply-rooted Community Attitudes and Values around Coyotes

Recently, 9th and 10th grade students in Hazen Union High School’s Biology class completed a cooperative project with UVM doctoral candidate Josh Morse, the Vermont Trapper's Association, Vermont Fish and Wildlife, the Vermont Folklife Center and Cold Hollow to Canada. Hazen students scientifically interviewed their community, collecting social science data on people's attitudes and values toward coyotes. The stories have been added to a larger collection at the Vermont Folklife Center in Middlebury to serve as a reference for policy makers.

In this work, students:

• Collected over 75 coyote stories

• Collected over 100 trail camera photos of coyotes, foxes, raccoons, porcupine, deer, and possibly a catamount

• Developed their clear communication skills by creating transcripts of verbal interviews

• Developed a sense of community by practicing listening without judgement to the stories of people with diverse views of coyotes

• Developed their problem solving by working around the many challenges of collecting social science data through interviews

• Practiced integrative thinking by trying to relate the complex attitudes of Vermonters toward coyotes with a sensible coyote management policy

• Needed self-direction to successfully persist through the many challenges of scientifically and ethically collecting these stories

For more information on the project, visit UVM Coyote Stories.