Contribute To Citizen Science
Looking for something to do around your yard or in your community? Consider becoming a full fledged citizen scientist! All you need is a phone, your peepers, and the desire to discover.
What is Citizen Science?
Although the term citizen science is relatively new, amateur scientists and hobbyists have been observing and contributing to the collective knowledge about our surroundings for hundreds of years. It wasn’t until the late 1800s when science became professionalized that there was a distinct difference between a scientist and a citizen with extensive experience. The definition of citizen science has evolved over time. The most recent interpretation states:
Galileo the "father of observational astronomy", Photo Credit: Library of Congress
Citizen Science - "scientific work undertaken by members of the general public, often in collaboration with or under the direction of professional scientists and scientific institutions” (Oxford Dictionary).
FUN FACT!
The Audubon Christmas Bird Count is one of the oldest ongoing citizen science programs in the U.S. The group has been gathering data from volunteers led by an experienced birder since 1900.
Scientists use data collected in Christmas Bird Count surveys to better understand bird populations in the United States. In 2019, a Science article detailing bird population declines made headline news. That research was made possible by the Christmas Bird Count and other long-term datasets, many of which are volunteer-driven.
Application and Importance
Many gaps in science still exist by the mere fact that we don’t always have the capacity to observe over long periods of time or over enough different locations or situations. Citizen science can help fill in some of these baseline and long term monitoring gaps. It has also led to the discovery of new species. For example, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County initiated a biodiversity project, called BioSCAN. This project is the largest urban biodiversity study in the world. The project provides insect traps to LA residents. After analyzing backyard bugs from residents in 2015, scientists were able to describe 30 new species of insects.
BioSCAN Insect Trap, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Local Citizen Science Programs in Sarasota & Manatee
Whether you’re into birds, trees, turtles, or bees, there are many local programs actively compiling data from citizen scientists. Sarasota-Manatee scientists and managers count on citizen science observations to monitor and better understand wildlife, water quality, plant communities, and more in the Sarasota Bay region. Read on below for examples of these programs and details about how to get involved.
Marine & Freshwater Programs
Neighborhood & Upland Programs
Florida, U.S., & Global Citizen Science Programs
Citizen Science Programs You Can Do Anywhere
You and your family can help researchers collect data about all of the natural activity happening right around your home or neighborhood.
There are also many organizations and agencies, like National Geographic, the EPA, U.S. Forest Service, and others that provide grants for citizen scientist discoveries and exploration. The more eyes we have observing the world around us, the more likely it is that someone will run into something new.
Apps & Online Platforms
- Zoouniverse - Contribute to academic research in over 50 active online citizen science projects
- Monarch Larva Monitoring - Collect data on larval monarch populations and milkweed habitat
- I See Change - Personalize, measure, and track climate change impacts
- iNaturalist - Record encounters, crowdsource identifications, find a citizen science project, run a bioblitz
- BudBurst - Record observations of the timing of plant life cycle events to help uncover how plants are affected by human impacts on the environment.
- eBird - Report sightings, plan trips, find birds, track your lists, explore range maps and bird migration
- BirdNET - Record bird songs to identify species and track sightings
- iSeaHorse - Upload photos and observations to help protect seahorses from overfishing and other threats.
- SciStarter - Connects people to citizen science projects
- American Oystercatcher Sightings - Report and photograph “banded” birds.
- Penguin Watch - View videos/photos & count the number of visible adult penguins, chicks, and eggs.
- Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network - Monitor the rain that falls in your backyard.
If you know of a citizen science opportunity that we missed, send us an email!
What's the coolest thing you've discovered in your yard or neighborhood? Tag us on Facebook or Instagram!