Local Projects (USA)

Below is a list of some of the citizen science projects that are open to anyone in various US states and metropolitan areas. Click on the project name to learn more.

Don’t see a project listed in your area? Be sure to check out the list of projects offered worldwide and nationwide. Conduct a search on iNaturalist, SciStarter.com, CitSci.org, Nature’s Notebook, FrogWatch USA, North American Butterfly Association, and eBird for projects in your city or state. Do a little online research into local conservation groups or land trusts and contact your local park system, wildlife preserves, nature centers, or libraries to discover if they offer any citizen science projects. Or comment below to receive additional help in identifying a project in your local area.

ALABAMA

• Alabama Master Naturalist Program: Complete training to learn more about the state’s natural resources and how to manage them.

ALASKA

• Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST): Attend a training class to assist with surveys along the western US coast of marine debris and bird carcasses, which contribute data to long-term monitoring projects.
• Alaska Master Naturalist Program: Take courses to learn more about the natural world and take action to protect the state’s natural resources.

ARIZONA

• Southwest Monarch Study: Assist in a study of monarch breeding and migration in the Southwest by tagging monarchs, reporting monarch sightings, and monitoring milkweed.
• Arizona Water Watch: Download a special app to help the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality monitor the quality of waterbodies.
• Western Rivers Bird Count: Count birds in May and June at designated riparian areas to help establish baseline data of bird abundance.
• Aubrey Valley Black-footed Ferret Spotlighting: Assist the AZ Game & Fish Department in their black-footed ferret identification project that occurs every spring and fall.
• Cormorant Counts: Help the AZ Game & Fish Department in their ongoing study of cormorant populations and their impacts on fish.
• Black-tailed Prairie Dog Visual Counts: Visually monitor prairie dog colonies monthly for the AZ Game & Fish Department. Contact prairiedog@azgfd.gov to learn more.
• The Wildlife Society – Arizona Chapter: View their events list for various citizen science projects offered by Arizona Game & Fish Department and other organizations in the state.
• Sky Island Alliance: Travel to southeastern Arizona or southwestern New Mexico to participate in one of the volunteer field trips they offer.
• Grand Canyon Trust: Assist with various projects in northern Arizona to help land managers make informed decisions.
• Arizona Master Naturalist Association: Complete a training program to learn about the state’s natural resources and take action to help protect them.
• Lesser Long-Nosed Bat and Hummingbird Feeder Utilization Study: If you live in southern AZ, monitor your hummingbird feeder level several nights a week during June to help the AZ Game & Fish Department determine the presence of bats.

Phoenix:

• McDowell Sonoran Conservancy Field Institute: Assist in a variety of citizen science research projects that take place in the Sonoran Desert.
• Central Arizona Conservation Alliance: Participate in a plant inventory or invasive species mapping project taking place at local desert parks and preserves.
• White Tank Mountains Conservancy: Become a volunteer steward and participate in a wide range of citizen science projects.
• Friends of the Tonto National Forest: Volunteer alongside others to document the location of invasive plants or monitor changes in habitat quality.
• Superstition Area Land Trust: Participate in a community citizen science project which studies interrelationships in the natural world.
• Libraries as Community Hubs for Citizen Science: Visit one of six local libraries to borrow citizen science tools and supplies.
• Ecology Explorers: Teachers and their students can collaborate with Arizona State University scientists on urban ecology research.

Tucson:

• Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection: Assist with their Wildlife Camera Monitoring project to help researchers document the movements of local wildlife.
• Tucson Bird Count: Sign up for a route to participate in this annual bird count that takes place between April 15 and May 15.

ARKANSAS

• Arkansas Master Naturalists: Take courses to join a local chapter and participate in natural resource management.

CALIFORNIA

• Western Monarch Count: Participate in a yearly project to count monarch butterflies along the California coast from October to March.
• Southwest Monarch Study: Assist in a study of monarch breeding and migration in the Southwest by tagging monarchs, reporting monarch sightings, and monitoring milkweed in California deserts.
• Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST): Attend a training class to assist with surveys along the western US coast of marine debris and bird carcasses, which contribute data to long-term monitoring projects.
• Western Rivers Bird Count: Count birds in May and June at designated riparian areas to help establish baseline data of bird abundance.
• California Naturalist Program: Take courses to become a certified naturalist and participate in scientific research and environmental monitoring.

COLORADO

• Colorado Corridors Project: Attend a training session on May 8, 2017 in Avon to participate in a summer project monitoring animals in the area near a proposed wildlife overpass over I-70 on the east side of Vail Pass. Contact wildlife@rockymountainwild.org for more information.
• Front Range Pika Project: Attend training to become a FRPP volunteer and collect data on American pikas and their mountain habitat.
• Rocky Mountain Wild – BioBlitzes: Join other nature enthusiasts to record snapshots into iNaturalist of as many wildlife species as possible during a BioBlitz event.
• Southwest Monarch Study: Assist in a study of monarch breeding and migration in the Southwest by tagging monarchs, reporting monarch sightings, and monitoring milkweed in western Colorado.
• Western Rivers Bird Count: Count birds in May and June at designated riparian areas to help establish baseline data of bird abundance.

CONNECTICUT

• The Goodwin Master Naturalist Program: Complete training to learn more about the state’s natural resources and participate in field research.

DELAWARE

• Delaware Nature Society: Participate in citizen science programs, such as Hawk Watch, Stream Watch, or a bird count.

FLORIDA

• Coastal Plains Institute: Volunteer to monitor amphibian populations in the southeastern Coastal Plain or assist in other research project tasks.
• North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group (NAFTRG): Participate in this long-term research project’s sampling sessions at freshwater springs to help monitor turtle populations in protected habitats.
• Florida Master Naturalist Program: Take one of their courses to learn more about the natural world and how you can take action to help monitor and protect it.

GEORGIA

• A.T. Seasons: Monitor seasonal changes in plants along the Appalachian Trail.

IDAHO

• Pacific Northwest Bumble Bee Atlas: Attend a training session and adopt a monitoring area to help scientists learn what is causing a decline in bumble bees.

ILLINOIS

• Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network: Attend a training session and become a butterfly monitor by observing the same site several times during the summer.
• Illinois Odonate Survey: Attend a monitor training session and assist in the surveying of dragonfly and damselfly populations across Illinois.
• BeeSpotter: Record your sightings of bees to contribute baseline data to this multi-state project based out of the University of Illinois.
• Illinois Master Naturalist Program: Complete training classes to learn more about the natural world and participate in citizen science activities.

Chicago:

• Bird Conservation Network: Help monitor bird populations in the Chicago region.
• Plants of Concern Rare Plant Monitoring Program: Attend a Plant ID workshop and participate in the monitoring of rare plants throughout the region.
• Calling Frog Survey: Attend an instructional meeting and become a frog and toad observer for this monitoring project in the Chicago wilderness.
• Forest Preserves of Cook County – Monitor Volunteers: Participate as a citizen scientist in one of several wildlife monitoring projects.
• Forest Preserves of Cook County – Citizen Scientists in Action! Program: This program introduces youth to citizen science through plant monitoring projects.

INDIANA

• BeeSpotter: Record your sightings of bees to contribute baseline data to this multi-state project based out of the University of Illinois.
• Indiana Master Naturalist Program: Take courses to learn more about the natural world and how you can take action to help monitor and protect it.

MAINE

• Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Mountain Watch and A.T. Seasons: Monitor seasonal changes in plants along the Appalachian Trail.
• Maine Master Naturalist Program: Complete training courses to learn more about the state’s natural resources and take action to help protect them.

MARYLAND

• Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Mountain Watch and A.T. Seasons: Monitor seasonal changes in plants along the Appalachian Trail.
• Maryland Master Naturalist Program: Participate in a volunteer training program to help protect the state’s natural resources through action, education, and research.

MASSACHUSETTS

• Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Mountain Watch and A.T. Seasons: Monitor seasonal changes in plants along the Appalachian Trail.

MICHIGAN

• Hiawatha National Forest Monarch Program: Assist in spring larvae monitoring and fall roost counts of monarch butterflies at the Peninsula Point Lighthouse in northern Michigan’s Hiawatha National Forest.

MINNESOTA

• Minnesota Master Naturalist: Become a Master Naturalist to participate in scientific monitoring and research.

MISSOURI

• BeeSpotter: Record your sightings of bees to contribute baseline data to this multi-state project based out of the University of Illinois.
• Missouri Master Naturalist Program: Join a local chapter to learn more about the natural world and how you can take action to help monitor and protect it.

NEBRASKA

• Nebraska Master Naturalist: Complete training to become a certified conservation volunteer and help protect the state’s natural resources.

NEVADA

• Southwest Monarch Study: Assist in a study of monarch breeding and migration in the Southwest by tagging monarchs, reporting monarch sightings, and monitoring milkweed.
• Western Rivers Bird Count: Count birds in May and June at designated riparian areas to help establish baseline data of bird abundance.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

• Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Mountain Watch and A.T. Seasons: Monitor seasonal changes in plants along the Appalachian Trail or monitor haze pollution with the AMC Mountain Watch View Guide program at the Madison Spring Hut, Lakes of the Cloud Hut, Galehead Hut, or Greenleaf Hut.

NEW JERSEY

• Monarch Monitoring Project: Join others in the collection of monarch sighting data during their fall migration in Sept and Oct at Cape May.

NEW MEXICO

• Sky Island Alliance: Travel to southeastern Arizona or southwestern New Mexico to participate in one of the volunteer field trips they offer.
• Southwest Monarch Study: Assist in a study of monarch breeding and migration in the Southwest by tagging monarchs, reporting monarch sightings, and monitoring milkweed.
• Western Rivers Bird Count: Count birds in May and June at designated riparian areas to help establish baseline data of bird abundance.

NEW YORK

• Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Mountain Watch and A.T. Seasons: Monitor seasonal changes in plants along the Appalachian Trail.

NORTH CAROLINA

• A.T. Seasons: Monitor seasonal changes in plants along the Appalachian Trail.
• Central Carolinas Master Naturalist Program: Complete training courses to learn more about the natural world and participate in citizen science, stewardship, and environmental education activities.

OHIO

• Ohio Bee Atlas: Record your observations of bees to help scientists document the distribution of bumblebees and other bees throughout the state.
  
• BeeSpotter: Record your sightings of bees to contribute baseline data to this multi-state project based out of the University of Illinois.
• Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Program: Complete training courses to learn more about the natural world and volunteer to help protect it through citizen science and educational outreach.

Cleveland:

• Cleveland Metroparks: Inquire about volunteer opportunities to conduct wildlife surveys and monitoring at various park locations throughout the Cleveland metro area.

Cincinnati:

• Cincinnati Nature Center: Help the center collect local data for national citizen science projects or inquire about joining a volunteer monitoring team on-site to study breeding amphibians, bluebird nesting boxes, and butterflies.

OKLAHOMA

• OK Department of Wildlife Conservation – Wildlife Diversity Citizen Science Programs: Report your sightings of Texas horned lizards, whooping cranes, and other rare wildlife to the OK Department of Wildlife Conservation’s Wildlife Diversity Program to help scientists understand the range of vulnerable species within the state.
• Nest Box Trails Project: Place a nest box in your property, monitor its usage, and report your observations to help in this long-term project on native cavity-nesting birds.

OREGON

• Cascades Pika Watch: Attend training to become a volunteer and help scientists locate and map populations of Columbia River Gorge pikas.
• Pacific Northwest Bumble Bee Atlas: Attend a training session and adopt a monitoring area to help scientists learn what is causing a decline in bumble bees.
• Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST): Attend a training class to assist with surveys along the western US coast of marine debris and bird carcasses, which contribute data to long-term monitoring projects.
• Oregon Master Naturalist Program: Complete training courses to learn more about the state’s natural resources and volunteer to help protect them through citizen science and educational outreach.

PENNSYLVANIA

• North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group (NAFTRG): Participate in this long-term research project’s sampling sessions at freshwater springs to help monitor turtle populations in protected habitats.
• A.T. Seasons: Monitor seasonal changes in plants along the Appalachian Trail.
• Pennsylvania Master Naturalist: Complete training to learn more about the natural world and how you can take action to help monitor and protect it.

SOUTH CAROLINA

• South Carolina Master Naturalist Program: Complete training courses to learn more about the natural world and volunteer to help protect it through citizen science and educational outreach.

TENNESSEE

• Tennessee Naturalist Program: Complete training courses to learn more about the natural world and volunteer to help protect it through citizen science and educational outreach.

TEXAS

• Texas Master Naturalist: Join one of the chapters throughout the state to become involved in citizen science in your community.
• North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group (NAFTRG): Participate in this long-term research project’s sampling sessions at freshwater springs to help monitor turtle populations in protected habitats.

UTAH

• Southwest Monarch Study: Assist in a study of monarch breeding and migration in the Southwest by tagging monarchs, reporting monarch sightings, and monitoring milkweed.
• Western Rivers Bird Count: Count birds in May and June at designated riparian areas to help establish baseline data of bird abundance.
• Utah Master Naturalist: Complete training courses to learn more about the natural world and volunteer to help protect it through citizen science and educational outreach.

VERMONT

• Vermont Master Naturalist Program: Complete training courses to learn more about the natural world and volunteer to help protect it through stewardship and educational outreach.

VIRGINIA

• Virginia Master Naturalist: Join one of the chapters throughout the state to become involved in citizen science in your community.
• A.T. Seasons: Monitor seasonal changes in plants along the Appalachian Trail.

WASHINGTON

• Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST): Attend a training class to assist with surveys along the western US coast of marine debris and bird carcasses, which contribute data to long-term monitoring projects.
• Pacific Northwest Bumble Bee Atlas: Attend a training session and adopt a monitoring area to help scientists learn what is causing a decline in bumble bees.
• Bellevue Master Naturalist: Complete training courses to learn more about the state’s natural resources and volunteer to help protect them through research, monitoring, and educational outreach.

WEST VIRGINIA

• Master Naturalists of West Virginia: Complete training courses to learn more about the natural world and volunteer to help protect it through citizen science and educational outreach.

WISCONSIN

• Hiawatha National Forest Monarch Program: Assist in spring larvae monitoring and fall roost counts of monarch butterflies at the Peninsula Point Lighthouse in northern Michigan’s Hiawatha National Forest.
• Wisconsin Master Naturalist: Complete training courses to learn more about the natural world and volunteer to help protect it through citizen science and educational outreach.

WYOMING

• Western Rivers Bird Count: Count birds in May and June at designated riparian areas to help establish baseline data of bird abundance.

This list is updated periodically. Do you know of an additional citizen science project that should be added to this list? If so, please comment below.

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