HAIR SNARE PROJECT
incidental observations from within the natural world
a participatory storytelling / data collection project
In the realm of science, a hair snare is a non-invasive, low-tech, passive research device used by wildlife researchers to collect fur samples from wild animals without capturing them (like this one). From these samples, researchers can use DNA and isotope analysis to learn about the species without interrupting the animals’ lives.
In the realm of the Hair Snare Project, a hair snare is a non-invasive, low-tech, passive data collection device, or a participatory storytelling tool.
What is the Hair Snare Project?
The Hair Snare Project is interested in passively recording incidental data about how humans (and more-than-humans) relate to place from wildlife researchers, biologists, field technicians, loggers, and fishers (people who work in the natural world). While the official research being conducted/the work that brings people to places is noteworthy in and of itself, this project is interested in the incidental observations these people stumble upon while in the midst of their work/research/mission. What can we learn from these incidental observations?
This project is a hair snare of sorts, the form below being a metaphorical wire stretched across a landing page on the Internet “set” to passively document some of these extraneous findings. Just as with a real hair snare trap, I’ll be studying who rubs against the line, and the clues they (you) leave behind.
How does this work?
A person shares their incidental data/story in the hair snare (form) below.
I review the data/story.
After light editing (as needed), I run it by the person who originally submitted it.
With the submitter’s consent, I publish the submission on the Hair Snare Project site* and share the public link with them.
*The exact form the full set of data will take will be determined by the kinds of data collected.
Who is this Hair Snare Project hoping to gather data from? / Who can submit an incidental observation?
People who work in the natural world: wildlife biologists, loggers, ecologists, foragers, fishers, lichenologists, marine biologists, bryologists, dendrologists, arborists, hunters, deep sea divers, etc. If you want to submit something, err on the side of yes, but if you’d like to confirm before you do, email me.
What kinds of stories are you hoping people will share?
Something memorable or mysterious that had nothing to do with why you were in the natural world in the first place. It doesn’t have to be sensational, it could be subtle. It could be related to humans or the more-than-human world. It may be born out of the fact that whatever you came across did not expect to come across you.
Essentially, something that stuck with you that was not what you were looking for.
For example:
Looking for turtles and coming across a flock of vultures spreading their wings, looking like they’re dancing.
Coming across a couple copulating on the sand plains while doing snake surveys.
A biologist wading up a river surrounded by an old forest, doing a survey and seeing a pack of coyotes cross a log over it, thinking they were dogs. As soon as the coyotes (who were surprised to see the biologist) were out of sight, their magnificent howls.
It could be a list of many observations or a deeper dive into one.
Your observation does not have to be scientific or matter of fact, though it could be. It could also be creative. Or both. Or neither.
How long should my submission be?
As long as it’s asking to be. It could be a phrase or a sentence. It could be a paragraph, or a few. Maybe it’s a thousand words. Probably not longer than that.
How long are you going to leave this Hair Snare Project up?
The Hair Snare Project is an experiment and it depends on whether or not this is a good spot to put the snare. (If the project goes offline, I will let all contributors know.)
Ethical considerations…
Any identifying information about humans encountered in the incidental data submissions will be redacted before publishing (because people submitting their observations can give their consent but those whom they encountered likely cannot).
Locations of endangered/threatened/rare species will not be shared.
This project does not seek to position the humans encountered through the incidental observations as “subjects”—in this project, we are all subjects.
If the Hair Snare Project methodology changes, new consent will be sought.
Researchers providing submissions are welcome to ask for their observations to be taken down at any point (email michele.christle@proton.me).
The Hair Snare Project is not intended as a way to report “illegal” behavior/activities. Curiosity is the operating principle.
Feedback
If you have thoughts on this project, ideas, suggestions, etc., email me.
Recent Observations
As the hair snare is brushed up against, data, stories, and locations (where applicable/safe to disclose) will be shared here.
Here is where you enter your submission, if you are so inclined.
Thank you for brushing by the snare.
