Nature Central Supports Citizen Science
Public participation in scientific research
Public participation in scientific research
Nature Central will continue to promote Citizen Science and provide easy access to information about a wide variety of programs so that you and your family members can get actively involved. Supplying scientists with the essential data needed for population monitoring and making evidence-based conservation decisions is a key goal of any Citizen Science project.
Please feel free to browse the list of available projects provided below. There is something for every interest, so take your participation to the next level and become a citizen scientist! |
TOOLS AND DATABASES
iNaturalist
Available as as App and Website, iNaturalist uses artificial intelligence to help identify pictures of plants, fungi, insects, and animals. This invaluable tool increases your natural history knowledge, improves your identification skills, and contributes to a database documenting biodiversity and species distributions on a global scale. For example, Birds of Alberta is an ongoing iNaturalist project documenting birds observations across the province with nearly 100,000 observations collected to date.
https://www.inaturalist.org/
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/birds-of-alberta/
Merlin
Is designed to be a birding coach for bird watchers at every level. This amazing little App can help you identify just about any bird by answering a series of simple questions. You can also search any species by name and, possibly the most exciting component of this App, has the ability to identify birds by sound!
https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/
eBird
A global repository of bird observations. Citizens are encouraged to submit checklists of birds while out walking; pictures and sound clips are an added bonus. This program helps to better understand bird abundance, distribution, habitat usage, and long-term population trends.
http://ebird.ca/
Available as as App and Website, iNaturalist uses artificial intelligence to help identify pictures of plants, fungi, insects, and animals. This invaluable tool increases your natural history knowledge, improves your identification skills, and contributes to a database documenting biodiversity and species distributions on a global scale. For example, Birds of Alberta is an ongoing iNaturalist project documenting birds observations across the province with nearly 100,000 observations collected to date.
https://www.inaturalist.org/
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/birds-of-alberta/
Merlin
Is designed to be a birding coach for bird watchers at every level. This amazing little App can help you identify just about any bird by answering a series of simple questions. You can also search any species by name and, possibly the most exciting component of this App, has the ability to identify birds by sound!
https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/
eBird
A global repository of bird observations. Citizens are encouraged to submit checklists of birds while out walking; pictures and sound clips are an added bonus. This program helps to better understand bird abundance, distribution, habitat usage, and long-term population trends.
http://ebird.ca/
CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECTS
CATEGORIES: BIRDS - AMPHIBIANS - MAMMALS - INSECTS - PLANTS - OTHER
CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECTS
CATEGORIES: BIRDS - AMPHIBIANS - MAMMALS - INSECTS - PLANTS - OTHER
BIRD FOCUSSED
Breeding Bird Survey
The Breeding Bird Survey is a citizen science program that produces the best information available on long-term trends in bird abundance across North America. This dataset is relied on heavily by researchers, wildlife managers, and others to support bird conservation efforts.
https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/bird-surveys/
May Bird Count
A component of the larger annual May Species Count, this project was initiated in 1976 to track bird populations across Alberta at a fixed time of year, providing insight into population trends over time. Contact information for for the May Species Count and May Bird Count is available through the Red Deer River Naturalists.
https://rdrn.ca/programs/species-counts/2012-may-species-count/
Christmas Bird Count
Started in 1900, The Christmas Bird Count is the longest running citizen science project in North America. Christmas Bird Counts are conducted within defined areas (count circles) on a single day between December 14th and January 5th. Contact information for The Christmas Bird Count is available through the Red Deer River Naturalists.
https://rdrn.ca/programs/species-counts/2020-christmas-bird-count/
Project Feeder Watch
A November-April survey of birds that visit backyards, nature centres, community areas, and other locales in North America. You don’t even need a feeder to participate! All you need is an area with plantings, habitat, water or food that attracts birds. The schedule is completely flexible. Count your birds for as long as you like on days of your choosing, then enter your counts online. Your counts contribute to a continental dataset of bird distribution and abundance.
https://feederwatch.org/
Global Big Day
Be a part of birding’s biggest team on Global Big Day, an annual celebration of the birds around you. No matter where you are, you can join a global effort each year on May 14th. Help celebrate World Migratory Bird Day, and share the birds you find with eBird. Check the eBird news section in May to explore this project.
https://ebird.org/news/
AMPHIBIAN (AND REPTILE) FOCUSSED
Alberta Volunteer Amphibian Monitoring Program
Overseen by the Alberta Conservation Association, this project encourages participants to learn about frogs, toads, and salamanders and help conserve their populations by reporting observations. Data is forwarded to the Government of Alberta for entry into its Fisheries and Wildlife Management Information System database. This database supports appropriate conservation and management of Alberta’s wild species and their habitats.
https://www.ab-conservation.com/avamp/overview/
Amphibians and Reptiles of Alberta
The Alberta Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy has initiated an iNaturalist project to track all amphibian and reptile sightings in Alberta. In doing so, they hope to connect the public to these endearing, but often misunderstood animals. The information collected will be useful for the creation of a field guide, research, and conservation management.
https://inaturalist.ca/projects/amphibians-and-reptiles-of-alberta-hosted-by-aarc
MAMMAL FOCUSSED
Alberta Community Bat Program
Overseen by the Wildlife Conservation Society of Canada as part of a national bat conservation effort, this project is intended to raise awareness of bat conservation issues, provide information to help residents responsibly manage bats in buildings, and to collect data needed to monitor and better understand bats in the province. The goal is to build a database that will help describe the distribution, habitat use, and seasonal timing of bat activity in Alberta.
https://www.albertabats.ca/citizenscience/
GrizzTracker
This program formalized existing efforts by Industrial personnel to report grizzly bear sightings to Peace Region Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) staff. Past reporting efforts have assisted AEP in better understanding grizzly bear presence and helped to inform the locations of hair snag monitoring sites, used to identify individual grizzly bears through genetic analysis of individual hair samples.
https://www.grizztracker.ca/
INSECT FOCUSSED
Beetles (Coleoptera) of Alberta
This is an iNaturalist project that aims to document species of Coleoptera (beetles) found in Alberta. This information will help build a photo database of species from across the province and help participants with species identification.
https://inaturalist.ca/projects/lepidoptera-of-alberta/
Bumble Bee Box Monitoring Program
In 2017, the Alberta Native Bee Council launched a citizen science bumble bee box monitoring program. In Alberta, they have found that approximately 25% of bee boxes are colonized with higher rates in urban areas than in rural areas. If you would like to participate in this bumble bee box program, you can build your own bumble bee box by following their instructions and report nesting activity to the Alberta Native Bee Council.
https://www.albertanativebeecouncil.ca/bumble-bee-box-monitoring/
Bumble Bee Watch
Bumble Bee Watch is a collaborative effort to track and conserve North America’s bumble bees. This project helps researchers determine the status and conservation needs of bumble bees and helps them locate rare or endangered populations.
https://www.bumblebeewatch.org/
Dragonflies (Odonata) of Alberta
This iNaturalist project aims to document species of Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) in Alberta. This information will help build a database of species found in Alberta.
https://inaturalist.ca/projects/odonata-of-alberta/
Moths and Butterflies (Lepidoptera) of Alberta
This iNaturalist project aims to document all species of Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) in Alberta. The information provided by citizen scientists is used to help build a database of provincial distributions of moths and butterflies. So far, 1,350 species have been documented across the province!
https://inaturalist.ca/projects/lepidoptera-of-alberta/
PLANT FOCUSSED
Alberta PlantWatch
By reporting when plants bloom in the spring, Albertans can contribute vital information to climate change studies. The speed of spring plant development is controlled mainly by temperature, and there is evidence that warming winter and spring temperatures are already resulting in earlier appearances of flowers.
https://naturealberta.ca/plantwatch/
Alberta May Plant Count
The May Plant Count is open to anyone with an interest in plants and flowers. The survey takes place between May 25 – 31 and focuses on documenting the flowering status of native plant species across Alberta.
https://naturealberta.ca/may-plant-count/
Alberta Mushrooms, Mosses and Lichens
This is an iNaturalist project that aims to document the species of mushrooms, mosses, and lichens found in Alberta. Participating is easy, just take a photo of any mushroom, moss, or lichen you encounter using the iNaturalist app, add the species name if you know it, and send in your observation.
https://inaturalist.ca/projects/alberta-mushrooms-mosses-and-lichens/
OTHER
Alberta Species at Risk
Alberta is home to a rich diversity of species; however, many of these species have declined because of habitat loss and other factors. Almost 200 species now are listed as endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Citizen science monitoring is of particular value for these species because their low population levels makes them challenging to monitor using conventional approaches. To contribute to this project, simply take a photo or sound recording of any species at risk you encounter and submit it to iNaturalist.
Main page for iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/
Information about Species at Risk in Alberta: https://www.alberta.ca/species-at-risk.aspx
LakeWatch
This is a volunteer-based water quality monitoring program offered to Albertans who are interested in collecting information about their local lake or reservoir. For more than 25 years, Alberta Lake Management Society technicians have assisted volunteers to test their lakes four times during the summer, collecting important data such as water temperature, clarity, a suite of water chemistry parameters, and information on invasive species.
https://alms.ca/about-lakewatch/
More to come! If you know of a Citizen Science project you would like added, please get in touch here.
Breeding Bird Survey
The Breeding Bird Survey is a citizen science program that produces the best information available on long-term trends in bird abundance across North America. This dataset is relied on heavily by researchers, wildlife managers, and others to support bird conservation efforts.
https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/bird-surveys/
May Bird Count
A component of the larger annual May Species Count, this project was initiated in 1976 to track bird populations across Alberta at a fixed time of year, providing insight into population trends over time. Contact information for for the May Species Count and May Bird Count is available through the Red Deer River Naturalists.
https://rdrn.ca/programs/species-counts/2012-may-species-count/
Christmas Bird Count
Started in 1900, The Christmas Bird Count is the longest running citizen science project in North America. Christmas Bird Counts are conducted within defined areas (count circles) on a single day between December 14th and January 5th. Contact information for The Christmas Bird Count is available through the Red Deer River Naturalists.
https://rdrn.ca/programs/species-counts/2020-christmas-bird-count/
Project Feeder Watch
A November-April survey of birds that visit backyards, nature centres, community areas, and other locales in North America. You don’t even need a feeder to participate! All you need is an area with plantings, habitat, water or food that attracts birds. The schedule is completely flexible. Count your birds for as long as you like on days of your choosing, then enter your counts online. Your counts contribute to a continental dataset of bird distribution and abundance.
https://feederwatch.org/
Global Big Day
Be a part of birding’s biggest team on Global Big Day, an annual celebration of the birds around you. No matter where you are, you can join a global effort each year on May 14th. Help celebrate World Migratory Bird Day, and share the birds you find with eBird. Check the eBird news section in May to explore this project.
https://ebird.org/news/
AMPHIBIAN (AND REPTILE) FOCUSSED
Alberta Volunteer Amphibian Monitoring Program
Overseen by the Alberta Conservation Association, this project encourages participants to learn about frogs, toads, and salamanders and help conserve their populations by reporting observations. Data is forwarded to the Government of Alberta for entry into its Fisheries and Wildlife Management Information System database. This database supports appropriate conservation and management of Alberta’s wild species and their habitats.
https://www.ab-conservation.com/avamp/overview/
Amphibians and Reptiles of Alberta
The Alberta Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy has initiated an iNaturalist project to track all amphibian and reptile sightings in Alberta. In doing so, they hope to connect the public to these endearing, but often misunderstood animals. The information collected will be useful for the creation of a field guide, research, and conservation management.
https://inaturalist.ca/projects/amphibians-and-reptiles-of-alberta-hosted-by-aarc
MAMMAL FOCUSSED
Alberta Community Bat Program
Overseen by the Wildlife Conservation Society of Canada as part of a national bat conservation effort, this project is intended to raise awareness of bat conservation issues, provide information to help residents responsibly manage bats in buildings, and to collect data needed to monitor and better understand bats in the province. The goal is to build a database that will help describe the distribution, habitat use, and seasonal timing of bat activity in Alberta.
https://www.albertabats.ca/citizenscience/
GrizzTracker
This program formalized existing efforts by Industrial personnel to report grizzly bear sightings to Peace Region Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) staff. Past reporting efforts have assisted AEP in better understanding grizzly bear presence and helped to inform the locations of hair snag monitoring sites, used to identify individual grizzly bears through genetic analysis of individual hair samples.
https://www.grizztracker.ca/
INSECT FOCUSSED
Beetles (Coleoptera) of Alberta
This is an iNaturalist project that aims to document species of Coleoptera (beetles) found in Alberta. This information will help build a photo database of species from across the province and help participants with species identification.
https://inaturalist.ca/projects/lepidoptera-of-alberta/
Bumble Bee Box Monitoring Program
In 2017, the Alberta Native Bee Council launched a citizen science bumble bee box monitoring program. In Alberta, they have found that approximately 25% of bee boxes are colonized with higher rates in urban areas than in rural areas. If you would like to participate in this bumble bee box program, you can build your own bumble bee box by following their instructions and report nesting activity to the Alberta Native Bee Council.
https://www.albertanativebeecouncil.ca/bumble-bee-box-monitoring/
Bumble Bee Watch
Bumble Bee Watch is a collaborative effort to track and conserve North America’s bumble bees. This project helps researchers determine the status and conservation needs of bumble bees and helps them locate rare or endangered populations.
https://www.bumblebeewatch.org/
Dragonflies (Odonata) of Alberta
This iNaturalist project aims to document species of Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) in Alberta. This information will help build a database of species found in Alberta.
https://inaturalist.ca/projects/odonata-of-alberta/
Moths and Butterflies (Lepidoptera) of Alberta
This iNaturalist project aims to document all species of Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) in Alberta. The information provided by citizen scientists is used to help build a database of provincial distributions of moths and butterflies. So far, 1,350 species have been documented across the province!
https://inaturalist.ca/projects/lepidoptera-of-alberta/
PLANT FOCUSSED
Alberta PlantWatch
By reporting when plants bloom in the spring, Albertans can contribute vital information to climate change studies. The speed of spring plant development is controlled mainly by temperature, and there is evidence that warming winter and spring temperatures are already resulting in earlier appearances of flowers.
https://naturealberta.ca/plantwatch/
Alberta May Plant Count
The May Plant Count is open to anyone with an interest in plants and flowers. The survey takes place between May 25 – 31 and focuses on documenting the flowering status of native plant species across Alberta.
https://naturealberta.ca/may-plant-count/
Alberta Mushrooms, Mosses and Lichens
This is an iNaturalist project that aims to document the species of mushrooms, mosses, and lichens found in Alberta. Participating is easy, just take a photo of any mushroom, moss, or lichen you encounter using the iNaturalist app, add the species name if you know it, and send in your observation.
https://inaturalist.ca/projects/alberta-mushrooms-mosses-and-lichens/
OTHER
Alberta Species at Risk
Alberta is home to a rich diversity of species; however, many of these species have declined because of habitat loss and other factors. Almost 200 species now are listed as endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Citizen science monitoring is of particular value for these species because their low population levels makes them challenging to monitor using conventional approaches. To contribute to this project, simply take a photo or sound recording of any species at risk you encounter and submit it to iNaturalist.
Main page for iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/
Information about Species at Risk in Alberta: https://www.alberta.ca/species-at-risk.aspx
LakeWatch
This is a volunteer-based water quality monitoring program offered to Albertans who are interested in collecting information about their local lake or reservoir. For more than 25 years, Alberta Lake Management Society technicians have assisted volunteers to test their lakes four times during the summer, collecting important data such as water temperature, clarity, a suite of water chemistry parameters, and information on invasive species.
https://alms.ca/about-lakewatch/
More to come! If you know of a Citizen Science project you would like added, please get in touch here.