Below is a list of some of the citizen science projects open to participants in the UK and Ireland. Click on the project name to learn more.
- iSpot: Submit photo observations of plants as animals as out of individual curiosity or in participation of a specific regional project.
- Evolution MegaLab: A survey of snail species throughout the region.
- National Plant Monitoring Scheme (NPMS): Sign up to monitor plant ‘indicator species’ in a 1km square of land located near you.
- New Year Plant Hunt: Participate in this yearly winter event to record blooming plants.
- Ringed Bird Spotting: Report sightings of ringed birds to help researchers monitor bird species.
- European Breeding Bird Atlas 2: Record sightings of bird breeding evidence via BirdTrack for this multi-year European survey.
UNITED KINGDOM
- National Biodiversity Network (NBN): Submit your wildlife sightings to national recording schemes and surveys on various species.
- Open Air Laboratories Network (OPAL): Add your observations to one of their national and regional citizen science projects on various subjects, such as pollen, trees, bugs, water, soil, and air.
- Nature’s Calendar: Record seasonal change data on plants and animals to help researchers monitor the effects of climate change on wildlife.
- National Bat Monitoring Programme: Assist in monitoring bat populations.
- Anglers’ Riverfly Monitoring Initiative (ARMI): Receive training from the Riverfly Partnership to participate in river water quality monitoring at a location near you.
- UK Ladybird Survey: Record data on any ladybirds that you see to contribute to a national research database.
- British Trust for Ornithology: Submit bird observations to one of their various projects which focus on different species and locations.
- Breeding Bird Survey: Observe a local area twice in the spring breeding season to contribute data to this national survey of common birds. Then continue your observations in this area during summer as part of the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey.
- UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS): Regularly observe butterflies in a particular area close to you to collect long-term data.
- Big Butterfly Count: Participate in this yearly summer project by noting the different butterflies and moths that you see for 15 minutes.
- Hedgehog Sightings: Report your sightings of hedgehogs to various projects around the country, include those by the Wildlife Trusts of Suffolk, Warwickshire, Yorkshire, and Cumbria.
IRELAND
- Biology.ie: Submit sightings of various wildlife and participate in species surveys, such as small mammals, ladybirds, lizards, birds, and wildflowers.
- National Biodiversity Data Centre: Download the free Biodiversity Data Capture app to submit your observations of any species in Ireland.
- Spring Flowering Plants Project: Contribute to the Atlas 2020 project by recording data on the blooming of 14 common spring flowers.
- Bat Conservation Ireland: Join one of several projects focused on bat monitoring.
- Sea Turtle Sightings: Submit data on any sea turtles that you see on Irish shores.
- Bumblebee Monitoring Scheme: Observe bumblebees at a location close to you once a month from April to October to help scientists monitor different species.
- Irish Wildlife Trust Reptile Survey: Submit your sightings of slow worms and native common lizards to this national multi-year project.
- Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme: Regularly observe butterflies in a particular area close to you to collect long-term data.
- Butterfly Atlas 2021: Submit a record of any butterfly that you see at any time of year.
- Bird Watch Ireland: Submit bird observations to one of their many projects focusing on different bird species and locations.
- Breeding Woodcock Survey: Select a woodland location to observe three times in May and June 2017 to record if woodcocks are present.
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.
Citizen Science for Everyone 