If the leaf pack project at Needham Elementary School has you curious about taking on your own citizen science project, look no further. There are plenty of organizations that work with people throughout the U.S. to observe the natural world.
Citizen scientists are important contributors to the scientific community, because they give researchers more data and a wider range of it to work with. And this partnership is great for the citizen scientists who participate as well. Participants get a hands-on look at the scientific method, learn about their community, develops critical thinking skills, and makes learning a lot more fun and relevant.
If you are a teacher, be sure to contact Kathy Grant, City of Lodi Watershed Program Coordinator, for information about Lodi EEI projects.
Projects for Anyone
- Journey North: This program has several different citizen science projects that you can participate in. The best known is probably the tulip test garden. Participants each order identical red tulip bulbs and plant them. As the tulips begin growing, they’re regularly checked, measured, photographed and more. All the recorded data is submitted, which gives plant scientists a better idea of the growing seasons in different locations. Other projects involve monitoring the migration of Monarch butterflies, robins and other creatures.
- The Audubon Christmas Bird Count: Each year, groups of volunteers gather on specific dates in the late fall and early winter to take a census of their local birds. The data is used to estimate bird health and guide conservation action. Volunteers must work with their local counting circle, so be sure to check the site regularly in November for information about finding and joining your local circle. Another option is the Great Backyard Bird Count in February, organized by Cornell University and Audubon.
- The Hybrid Hazelnut Project: The Arbor Day Foundation has launched this project to breed new types of hazelnuts, with the goal of creating a sustainable crop that will provide wildlife habitat, and that people around the world can use for food and fuel. Participants will receive three free hazelnut bushes, in exchange for monitoring their crop and reporting it back to the Arbor Day Foundation.
- Frog Watch USA: The American Zoological Association uses their volunteer Frog Watch USA program to monitor the health of wetland ecosystems. The project was launched after a major decline was recorded in several frog and toad species around the U.S. Volunteers listen for frogs and toads from February to August and record their observations.
- Project Noah: This one is more about observation than tracking populations or conducting experiments. Users take photos of any wild plants and animals they spot, upload them to the website, describe them, and attempt to identify them. Others on the site can see the photos uploaded and help with identification. Participants earn badges as they find more wild flora and fauna, or if they participate in “missions” such as documenting all of the bugs in their schoolyard. Apps are available for iPhones and Android, making it easy to add organisms while out on a nature walk.
- Anecdata: Anecdata is a user-generated citizen science databank. What does that mean? It’s a website where people can share data from individual projects, or launch group projects, either for a classroom or open to the public. There are no projects in the Lodi area at this time, but anyone can start a new project and invite others to add their own observations.
Projects for Classrooms
- The Bonnie 3rd Grade Cabbage Program: Third grade teachers can register their classes for this program that teaches kids about agricultural and plant growth. Bonnie Plants donates free cabbage plants to each classroom that registers. With some restrictions, noted on the website, students are eligible to compete for a $1,000 scholarship.
These are just a few of the dozens of citizen science projects out there. Give one a try, or search the internet for a project about your own favorite plants or animals, weather projects, astronomy projects and more.