CITIZEN SCIENCE

Citizen science is when everyday people help scientists collect real-world data for research. By observing, recording, and sharing things like birds, weather, or plants, volunteers contribute to important studies that improve our understanding of the natural world and help guide conservation efforts.

Citizen science offers many easy and meaningful ways to get involved, whether you’re watching birds in your backyard, hiking a trail, exploring your neighborhood, or even observing nature from your window. By recording sightings, taking photos, tracking behaviors, or sharing data through simple apps (like the ones listed below) you help scientists better understand wildlife populations, migration patterns, and environmental change.

eBird

eBird is the world's largest, free, online database and citizen-science project for bird records, managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It allows birdwatchers to log sightings via website or mobile app, providing critical data for global scientific research, conservation planning, and bird distribution modeling.

NestWatch

Help measure nature’s success with NestWatch! Learn how to safely find and monitor bird nests while collecting valuable data on species, eggs, and young birds. By sharing your observations, you contribute to real scientific research that helps experts understand how climate change, habitat loss, and urban development affect nesting success and bird populations. It’s a meaningful way to support conservation while getting a closer look at the hidden world of breeding birds.

Project FeederWatch

Count birds at your feeders from November through April. Your observations help scientists monitor changes in the abundance and distribution of birds, including the influence of changes in habitat, disease, and climate. 

Great Backyard Bird Count

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a free, fun, and global community science event where birdwatchers of all ages count birds in their yards, parks, and favorite outdoor spots over a four-day period. By submitting your sightings online, you help scientists track bird populations and movements while celebrating birds with a worldwide network of bird lovers. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, it’s a great way to connect with nature and contribute to real conservation research.

SciStarter

SciStarter helps bring together the millions of citizen scientists in the world; the thousands of potential projects offered by researchers, organizations, and companies; and the resources, products, and services that enable citizens to pursue and enjoy these activities. They aim to:
• Enable and encourage people to learn about, participate in, and contribute to science through both informal recreational activities and formal research efforts.
• Inspire greater appreciation and promote a better understanding of science and technology among the general public.
• Create a shared space where scientists can talk with citizens interested in working on or learning about their research projects.
• Satisfy the popular urge to tinker, build, and explore by making it simple and fun for people—singles, parents, grandparents, kids—to jump in and get their hands dirty with science.

IDENTIFICATION APPS

Merlin

The Merlin Bird ID app, developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, is a free user-friendly bird identification tool for birders of all experience levels. It helps users identify birds using simple methods like answering a few questions, uploading a photo, or recording bird sounds. The app provides detailed bird profiles, range maps, and bird calls, along with a customizable life list. With regularly updated regional bird packs and offline functionality, it’s a versatile companion for identifying and learning about birds worldwide.

iNaturalist

iNaturalist is a free app and online platform that helps you identify plants, animals, and bugs by sharing your observations with a global community of naturalists, scientists, and fellow nature lovers. Just snap a photo, upload it, and get instant suggestions - plus help from experts. It’s a fun and easy way to learn about the world around you and contribute to real scientific research!