The District’s Wildlife Action Plan serves as the District’s outline for species conservation and both the eastern cottontail and the eastern chipmunk are designated as a species in need of immediate protection (or a Species of Greatest Conservation Need). The eastern cottontail holds an important niche in terrestrial ecosystems by being a primary consumer and serving as prey for predators such as raccoons, fox, and birds of prey.

Volunteers will walk pre-determined transects regularly in Wards 3 and 4 to survey for eastern cottontail rabbits. Observations to be recorded are listed. Photos are not required but welcomed. These observations will be used to calculate the annual density of eastern cottontail rabbits in NW DC in order to monitor the population. less ↑