Looking for a Way to Get Involved?

Depending on your interests, there is a citizen science project out there for you. Listen for frogs, watch birds or even count the stars. It’s all up to you!

FrogWatch USA is a frog and toad monitoring program where volunteers learn the calls of local frog species, identify them by song in the field and record their findings online.

The Beauty of Birds
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology manages 12 bird citizen science programs, including Project Feederwatch, NestWatch and eBird. With such a vast diversity of projects, you are sure to find one that fits your family.

Learn the Flowers of Spring
Project BudBurst has volunteers monitor wildflowers, shrubs and trees to look for the first blooms in spring.  The data is used to study global warming’s impact on plant phenology.

Fabulous Firefly Festivities
This summer, Boston’s Museum of Science wants you to monitor fireflies.  With an occasional visit to your backyard to count fireflies, you could be helping scientists around the country study firefly behavior and population changes.

Monarch Mayhem!
Each year, the University of Kansas monitors the autumn migration of monarch butterflies. Join them this fall and record data on monarchs that fly through your community on their journey south. Also learn how to build a monarch waystation.

Birds in Your Backyard
The National Audubon Society hosts a yearly end of winter bird count called the Great Backyard Bird Count. Anyone can participate no matter your skill level or location in the US and Canada.

Be a Star Gazer
During the month of October, join citizen scientists worldwide as they try to observe constellations after sunset. The study gauges the impact of light pollution on your ability to see the stars and constellations at night.

A Champion for Corridors
Sign up for Witness for Wildlife and be a citizen scientist in one of America’s amazing wildlife corridors.  Witness for Wildlife holds trips into wildlife corridors where volunteers report wildlife sightings and changes to the local environment. See migrations and surround yourself in nature.

Many state and local governments and community environmental groups have their own citizen science programs. To learn about available citizen science programs in your state, contact your local university, cooperative extension or government office.