We all learn more about the world through careful observations. And your observations can help scientists learn more about natural history in your region and how climate change is affecting plants, animals and ecological processes. Take part in a volunteer science program to help us all understand the world around us.
Explore some of the community science programs listed below; they are sometimes called ‘citizen science’ programs. There’s something for everyone– whatever your interest, ability or time frame.
Data that you collect can help build a better understanding of how the world is changing as the climate changes– and provide insights about climate adaptation and resilience.
get involved with a national or Chicago Wilderness region community science project
Many volunteer science monitoring programs are national or international; programs in green are specific to the Chicago Wilderness or midwest region.
weather / climate / meteorological monitoring
PING / Precipitation Identification Near the Ground
CoCoRaHS / Community Collaborative Rain Hail and Snow Network
Weather Underground PWS Network / Personal Weather System
more resources, from NASA, for community scientists interested in space and the night sky
plant monitoring and research
Michigan’s Sentinel Tree Network
Mi-Mast / Wildlife Food Tracker in Michgan
wildlife monitoring
frogs & toads
Calling Frog Survey (toads, too!)
North American Amphibian Monitoring Program
butterflies & moths
Butterflies and Moths of North America
Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Program
Monarch Larva Monitoring Project
more monarch monitoring programs, listed by the Monarch Joint Venture
North American Butterfly Association Butterfly Counts
dragonflies & damselflies
bees
other insects
Mosquito Habitat Mapper / GLOBE Observer
Never Home Alone / Indoor Insects
birds
Some of the best-known community science programs focus on birds. Additional programs take place periodically; get in touch with a local bird group to find out more.
Bird Conservation Network Survey
Illinois Beach State Park Hawk Watch
MOON / Monitoring of Owls and Nightjars in Illinois
river and lake monitoring
Chicago River Wildlife Monitors
Illinois Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program
Lake Observations by Citizen Scientists and Satellites
for naturalists interested in collecting a variety of data
Nature’s Notebook / National Phenology Network
The Great Sunflower Project — for monitoring pollinators
Land Cover Observations / GLOBE Observer
clearinghouses of community science projects
Scistarter — a searchable collection of community science projects
Catalog of Federal Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science projects
iNaturalist — a collection of many different community science projects that use apps
Zooniverse — a clearinghouse of many different community science projects, especially wildlife and history
SciStarter — a clearinghouse for a wide variety of community science projects
and report unusual things
Did You Feel It? — where earthquakes are felt around the world
Report Unusual Wildlife Sightings — of mammals in Illinois
This list is not exhaustive. Many conservation areas and organizations run place-based monitoring programs with volunteers. Check with local groups to find more opportunities.
last updated February 2020