get involved in citizen science!
citizen science project databases |
You can take part in collaborative, ongoing scientific research projects as a citizen scientist! Through citizen science projects, volunteers team up with networks of professional scientists to study many different aspects of the natural world. Using interactive web-based tools, smart phone apps and cameras, and water testing kits you can help scientists to identify research questions, make new discoveries, collect and analyze data, interpret results, develop technologies and applications, and solve complex problems.
Citizen science projects may emerge in any field of science. Some projects take place on a specific day, such as the North American Butterfly Association Butterfly Count, which will be held nearby in northern Westchester County on July 2, 2016. Other projects occur seasonally or during migration periods. Many other citizen science projects involve the work of volunteers all year round. Projects like Firefly Watch, sponsored by the Museum of Science, Boston, rely upon participants to contribution of firsthand observation or findings. Other projects, such as NOAA's Old Weather project, invite volunteers to transcribe weather data from 19th century ship logs. So far, 21,000 people have transcribed more than 7.5 million weather observations! |
AMPHIBIAN projectSYou can assist with several different citizen science projects that help to conserve our local amphibian populations and safeguard their migration.
Amphibian Tracker 2016 FrogWatch USA NYSDEC Amphibian Migrations and Road Crossings Project Singing Frogs Project with Journey North hudson river estuary projectsThe Hudson River Estuary provides a rich environment for citizen science projects. Here's a collection of projects available to you:
American Eel Research Great Hudson River Estuary Fish Count Hudson River Cooperative Angler Program Native Plant Observation Submersed Aquatic Vegetation Project Trees for Tribs Winter Wild Turkey Flock Survey |
APPS for citizen scienceYou can acquire several different free smartphone apps for Android and iPhone that will allow you to record your observations and submit data to ongoing citizen science projects. Some of the apps available are:
Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) iMapInvasives iNaturalist Journey North mPING Crowdsourcing Weather Reports Project Noah 
insect projectsThis is a sample of the many citizen science projects that involve counting and documenting various types of insects:
Bumblebee Watch Firefly Project Lost Ladybug Project North American Butterfly Association Butterfly Count Northeast Pollinator Partnership Pollinator Watch |
bird projectsThe Cornell Ornithology Lab has sponsored citizen science projects about birds since 1966. Now, more than 200,000 people contribute each year to the Cornell Lab's citizen science projects on birds. The Cornell Lab invites you to participate in these projects regarding birds and their habitats:
eBird Great Backyard Bird Count NestWatch Project Feeder Watch YardMap 
phenology projectsThe study of how the biological world times natural events such as flowers blooming, leaves falling, and migration is called phenology. The three main non-biological factors that affect phenology are: sunlight, temperature, and precipitation. The following citizen science projects give you the opportunity to engage in phenology:
Journey North Nature's Notebook The New York Phenology Project North American Bird Phenology Program Project BudBurst |