Below is a list of some of the citizen science projects that are open to anyone, anywhere in the world. Click on the project name to learn more.
Observe the natural world around you by using your smartphone, computer, or camera:
- iNaturalist: Record your sightings of plants and animals as an individual or post them to projects all over the world.
- Encyclopedia of Life: Contribute photos, videos, or audio files to this international endeavor to document and provide information about all of the different species on Earth.
- Project Noah: Document wildlife in your local area and join missions.
- Flickr groups: Upload your wildlife photos to citizen science groups.
- Globe at Night: Monthly projects for stargazers to submit data to help monitor light pollution.
- Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC): Over a weekend in February, submit data on birds you observe. As little as 15 minutes is enough time to participate.
- Global Big Day: Join people around the world on one day in May for this annual count of birds.
- eBird: Take your birdwatching to a new level by sharing data on what you see and hear via the eBird checklist.
- Celebrate Urban Birds (CUBs): Submit your observations of birds in an urban environment.
Participate from home using your computer:
- Smithsonian Digital Volunteers: Transcription Center: Transcribe historic journals and field notes written by naturalists.
- DigiVol: Access digitized data online to help transcribe and decipher field notebooks, photographs, museum labels, and data sheets from around the world.
- Les Herbonautes: If you speak French and know your plants, help in identifying the species seen in herbarium photos.
- Bat Detective: Listen to recorded bat calls to help monitor bat populations.
- Chimp & See: Scan videos and photos from throughout Africa to report on chimpanzee activity and identify other animal species that are seen.
- Snapshot Serengeti and WildCam Gorongosa: View photos of African wildlife and help researchers identify species and track movements.
- Condor Watch: View photos of condors to help researchers track the movements of the birds.
- More web-based programs available at Zooniverse.org.
Monitor water quality in your community:
- EarthEcho Water Challenge: Obtain a test kit to collect data on your local waterbodies and participate in this annual project. (Geared toward youth participants or teachers).
- FreshWater Watch: Be part of a global network of people using test kits to collect data on local waterways in order to assess the health of freshwater ecosystems and protect them.
Projects especially suited for ocean lovers and divers:
- Marine Debris Tracker: When you see litter on a beach, dispose of it properly and also post your sighting to this app to help track locations where litter occurs.
- CoralWatch: Collect data to monitor the health of corals and reefs.
- Wildbook for Whale Sharks: Submit photos of whale sharks to help researchers identify individuals from the patterns on their backs.
- Dive Against Debris: Reduce ocean pollution by removing trash and recording data on what you find.
- Reef Environmental Education Foundation: Collect data on marine species.
- Reef Life Survey (RLS): Divers participate as citizen scientists to gather data on marine biodiversity in Australia and throughout the world.
Combine recreation or travel with Citizen Science:
- Adventure Scientists: Give your recreational activities a deeper purpose by collecting data for one of their citizen science projects while you’re out hiking, kayaking, climbing, running, or cycling.
- EarthWatch Expeditions: Travel to experience a new part of the world and join scientists out in the field to assist on a research project.
- Biosphere Expeditions: Take a conservation holiday to participate in scientific research of animal species around the world.
- Vermilion Sea Institute: Spend a week snorkeling in Baja California, Mexico, by participating in a summer program to collect photographic data on whale sharks.
- Borneo Nature Foundation Volunteer Groups: Geared toward students studying biology and geography, participants travel to Borneo to assist with habitat and biodiversity monitoring, particularly of orangutans and gibbons.
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 