Citizen Science (monitoring and reporting observations to the scientific community) can provide an opportunity to learn about serious issues in a positive and constructive way. We see that simply hearing about serio
us issues such as climate change and wildlife losses can lead to ignoring them or feeling helpless to address them. In Citizen Science, the acts of learning and then contributing to solutions are elegantly combined in the process of observing and reporting those observations to the scientific community. These activities can also elevate the field of science in the public’s eye, which is sorely needed especially in regard to climate change.
There are many fascinating Citizen Science projects already online and ready to use—for all ages (click on an Observing Target in the sidebar on the Observing page to see specific Citizen Science projects). Data can usually be submitted by smart phones as well as computers. For schools, they are designed to meet curricular standards including many fields of study. Prestigious science organizations such as Cornell University, Chicago Botanic Garden, National Phenology Network, and the Xerces Society run these programs. Ideally, schools, farmers, ranchers, community science experts, nature centers, and others would be involved, sharing findings locally, regionally, as well as nationally.
