Citizen Science

What is Citizen Science? Citizen Science is a way for you to learn about nature, science, and conservation by participating in real scientific studies. Here are some links to projects your family can participate in.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology Anyone who watches birds, from backyards to city streets to remote forests, can help researchers better understand birds and their habits. Links to Project Feeder Watch, Great Backyard Bird Count, eBird, Celebrate Urban Birds, and more, all on one site!

Project BudBurst Join thousands of others in gathering valuable environmental and climate change information from across the country. Project BudBurst engages the public in making careful observations of the phenophases such as first leafing, first flower, and first fruit ripening of a diversity of trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses in their local area.

The Great Sunflower Project Join the Hunt for Bees! This project was started as a way to gather information about our urban, suburban and rural bee populations. The Great Sunflower Project asks citizen scientists to plant sunflowers in their gardens so they can standardize study of bee activity and provide more resources for bees.

Monarch Watch Monarch Butterflys need our help! The monarch migration is truly one of the world's greatest natural wonders, yet it is threatened by habitat loss in North America. Get involved in monarch conservation by creating a Monarch Waystation.

Museum of Science Firefly Watch Are Fireflies disappearing? Observing fireflies is a great summer activity. Join our network of volunteers and track your sightings throughout the season. Pick a location, observe it weekly, and use our online tools to follow your progress.

The Lost Ladybug Project Across North America ladybug species distribution is changing. We're asking you to join us in finding out where all the ladybugs have gone so we can try to prevent more native species from becoming so rare. This is the ultimate summer science project for kids and adults! You can learn, have fun and help save these important species.

Project Squirrel No matter where you live, city or suburb, from the Midwest to the East Coast, Canada to California, if squirrels live in your neighborhood, you are encouraged to become a squirrel monitor. In addition to being interesting animals to watch, squirrels can tell us a lot about our local environment and how it is changing.