Citizen Science Guide

Now that you're here in East Texas, you may have a few questions like:

• Why is the soil red and not brown or black?
• What's making that sound? or that? or that?
• What is the green fluffy stuff on the tree branch?
• Is that a slime mold?
• Is this snake venomous? What about that one?
• What kind of insect is tapping on my window? 
• Did I just see a bird with two tails?
• It's pretty dark here in the Piney Woods, can I help find new stars?
• What other areas or subjects use and need citizen science volunteers?
• Are there any walking trails or parks nearby?

Put your powers of observation to work for the community and make a difference. You can make and report observations from almost anywhere!

Looking for a Texas-specific project?

National Geographic has links to many projects.

If you are an educator or education student you might want to try facilitating a BioBlitz.

Notes From Nature lets you help transcribe historical items

Do you love birds? Join and report an annual count!

Want to try your had at forecasting the future? Sign up to be a superforecaster!

Help Dr. Chris Schalk (Forestry) to track roadkill using iNaturalist at Roadkills of Texas

Here are more projects that need your assistance.

Some are at the Smithsonian. 

Youth-focused citizen science: Examining the role of environmental science learning and agency for conservation by Heidi L. Ballard,Colin G.H. Dixon,Emily M. Harris 

Do you like history? Transcribe Suffragist papers for the Smithsonian

Have you ever used an open source textbook? This class created one by crowdsourcing.

Help track microplastics

What can be done about invasive species?

Where do I report pollution?

Email us with other suggested projects!