Cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
According to Cornell Lab’s Skills to Last a Lifetime, citizen science involves volunteers partnering with professional scientists to collect or analyze data. Citizen scientists are individuals from all backgrounds, including students, professionals, and the general public, who conduct research and submit their results.
Take a closer look at these citizen science opportunities around Rochester, choose an area of interest, and see how you can get involved! Our nature centers and the Seneca Park Zoo often spearhead citizen science projects.
Bird Counts
Great Backyard Bird Count
Bird watchers of all ages count birds to create a real-time snapshot of where birds are.
NestWatch
Get certified as a NestWatch monitor by utilizing our comprehensive online resources and completing the test.
FeederWatch
Choose a section of your yard that is easy to observe. Typically, this is an area with feeders visible from a single vantage point.
Celebrate Urban Birds
Celebrate Urban Birds is a citizen science project focused on better understanding the value of urban green spaces for birds.
Birdsleuth
Our mission is to create innovative K-12 resources that build science skills, inspire young people to connect with local habitats, explore biodiversity, and engage in citizen science projects.
eBird
Our mission started with a straightforward concept: every birdwatcher possesses valuable knowledge and expertise. We aim to collect bird checklists, store them, and make them readily available to support innovative data-driven approaches to science, conservation, and education.
Audubon Christmas Bird Count
The nation’s longest-running community science bird project supports Audubon’s work throughout the year.
Water & Air
EarthEcho Water Challenge
The EarthEcho Water Challenge is an international program running from March 22 through December that engages citizens in monitoring their local water bodies and protecting water resources worldwide.
Air Quality Egg (Ithaca)
A community-led air quality sensing network includes pollution sensors, a phone app, and a web dashboard. The app allows users to monitor pollution levels and compare them with others.
Our Observable Universe
NASA Citizen Science
Join NASA researchers and discover the secrets of the universe, search for life elsewhere, and protect and improve life on Earth and in space.
Globe at Night
Globe at Night is an international citizen science campaign that raises public awareness of the impact of light pollution by inviting citizen scientists to measure and submit their observations of the night sky’s brightness.
Weather & Climate
EPA Citizen Science
Citizen science covers a suite of innovative tools for engaging the public in applying their curiosity and contributing their talents to science and technology. Citizen scientists can provide information that would not otherwise be available due to time, geographic, or resource constraints.
National Weather Service Cooperative Observer
The extensive network of over 8,700 volunteers diligently collects observations spanning farms, urban and suburban areas, National Parks, seashores, and mountaintops. Consequently, the data obtained is genuinely reflective of people’s living, working, and recreational environments.
USGS Earthquakes
Did You Feel It? (DYFI) collects information from people who felt an earthquake and creates maps that show what people experienced and the extent of damage.
ISeeChange
ISeeChange empowers communities to tackle climate change impacts by integrating public input into infrastructure design and response management. Headquartered on America’s Gulf Coast, we prioritize community, connection, integrity, equity, and insight.
Animals
NYS DEC Wildlife Observation
Many people enjoy observing wildlife in various ways. Occasionally, there are opportunities to help the Bureau of Wildlife collect valuable data. In some cases, this may require special effort, but in many cases, all that is required is recording what you see while bird watching, hunting, hiking, scouting, etc.
Butterflies, Bugs, & Bumblebees
eButterfly
A real-time, online checklist and photo storage program, e-Butterfly provides a new way for the butterfly community to report, organize, and access information about butterflies in North America.
Monarch Watch
Monarch Watch is seeking the immediate assistance of hundreds of monarch enthusiasts (citizen scientists) in collecting observations of monarchs in their area during the spring and fall.
Big Bug Hunt
The Big Bug Hunt is an international research project using reports from real gardeners like you to track how bugs and pests spread.
Bumblebee Watch
Because these animals are widely distributed, the best way to keep track of them is with an army of volunteers across the country armed with cameras. With any luck, you might help us to find remnant populations of rare species before they go extinct.
Snakes & Amphibians
Herpetology
Your observations can make valuable contributions on behalf of amphibians and reptiles. Using HerpMapper, you can create records of your herp observations and keep them all in one place. Your data is made available to HerpMapper Partners—groups who use your recorded observations for research, conservation, and preservation purposes.
Seneca Park Zoo FrogWatch
FrogWatch USA™ is the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) citizen science program. It provides individuals, groups, and families with opportunities to learn about wetlands in their communities by reporting on the calls of local frogs and toads.
Trees, Plants, and Litter
GeoWiki Environmental Monitoring Projects
Participate in multiple ongoing projects and join the citizen science movement to help us address global land cover issues.
National Phenology Network
Learn about plant species in your area and record observations about observable phases in the annual life cycle of plants.
BudBurst
Observe the life cycles of trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses to see when they have their first leafing, flower, and fruit ripening.
Litterati
Join the community in identifying, mapping, and collecting the world’s litter.
Additional Rochester Citizen Science Resources
iNaturalist
Every observation, from the rarest butterfly to the most common backyard weed, can contribute to biodiversity science. We share your findings with scientific data repositories like the Global Biodiversity Information Facility to help scientists find and use your data. All you have to do is observe.
SciStarter
SciStarter provides a database of over 1500 vetted, searchable projects and events.
National Geographic Citizen Science Projects
Get ideas for how you can participate in citizen science—projects in which volunteers and scientists work together to answer real-world questions and gather data.
Nature’s Notebook
When you participate in the program, you’ll go outside to observe nature in your backyard or nearby area weekly and enter this information online.
Explore More
Summer Break: Ideas for Fun, Educational Rochester Day Trips
School’s out for summer break! Find the perfect balance between fun and education with ideas that extend learning outside the classroom.
Nature Centers and Preserves Around Rochester
The various nature centers, preserves, and management areas all work to protect and maintain natural spaces for the benefit of all.
What are your favorite Rochester citizen science projects?
Your insights and experiences are valuable. Please share them in the comments.
People often ask me if I get free access to places while exploring. The answer is no unless I’m invited to previews or granted behind-the-scenes access as part of my media role. Generally, I don’t mention my project, Day Trips Around Rochester, NY, because I want the same experience you would have. I create and share content simply because it brings me joy. I would appreciate your support—a cup of coffee or two to help fuel future field trips—if you have found valuable information here that has helped you explore the Rochester area.
