Celebrate National Parks with Citizen Science

Photo: NPS Celebrate the National Parks with Citizen Science On August 25, the United States National Park Service turns 100! The park system provides many excellent citizen science opportunities to visitors. Below, you’ll find five great national park projects. Find even more projects with the SciStarter Global Project Finder. Cheers! The SciStarter Team

Categories: Apps, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors, Newsletter

Citizen Science takes a bite out of Natural Disasters

Photo:USFWS Collectively, your small acts lead to big results. Natural disasters, like earthquakes, tornados, and landslides, are frightening and deadly. There are small, but important, steps citizen scientists can take to help predict and respond to these occurrences.Our editors have selected five exemplary projects, below. Be sure to read the safety warnings when applicable. Find … Read more “Citizen Science takes a bite out of Natural Disasters”

Categories: Apps, Citizen Science, Climate & Weather, Nature & Outdoors, Newsletter

Urban Citizen Science

A recent article in the New York Times highlights the way urban environments are affecting evolution in a variety of species. From European blackbirds with high-pitched calls to beat the sound of traffic to spiders adapted to build their webs closer to light poles, the dynamic and harsh urban environment is changing our biodiversity. Citizen scientists are … Read more “Urban Citizen Science”

Categories: Animals, Biology, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors, Newsletter

Citizen Science in SPAAAAAACE!

Photo: NASA Heavenly Citizen Science “80% of North Americans cannot see the Milky Way because of the effects of artificial lighting,” according to The Guardian. Measure light pollution near you this week and contribute to this important research. Or, if you’re lucky enough to see the heavens, there’s a citizen science project in need of your observations. Our … Read more “Citizen Science in SPAAAAAACE!”

Categories: Citizen Science, Newsletter

Celebrate Pollinator Week with Citizen Science!

Photo: Wendy Caldwell This week we celebrate National Pollinator Week, in honor of the bees, butterflies, beetles, and other animals that provide essential services to ecosystems and agricultural lands everywhere. Citizen science is at the forefront of pollinator research, and below we highlight six projects that you can join to help study and protect pollinators. … Read more “Celebrate Pollinator Week with Citizen Science!”

Categories: Biology, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors, Newsletter

Citizen Science for Bat Fans!

Photo: USFWS Those Elusive Flying Mammals! Bats can be tricky to spot and observe but let’s try because they need our help.  As disease, habitat loss, and climate change decimate some bat populations, we can help scientists monitor and protect them. Below, our editors highlight five bat-related citizen projects from around the globe. Find more … Read more “Citizen Science for Bat Fans!”

Categories: Animals, Bats, Biology, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors, Newsletter

Methods Matter: Citizen Science Techniques For Exploring Our World

Citizen Science Techniques Each of the thousands of citizen science projects are unique, yet many rely on similar techniques and methods. Below, we highlight five that use some of the most popular methods including: the use of low cost, portable sensors; bioblitzes; bird banding; standardized surveys; and photography. Find more than 1,600 projects and events … Read more “Methods Matter: Citizen Science Techniques For Exploring Our World”

Categories: Biology, Citizen Science, Newsletter