Citizen Science Projects
Get outside and get some data! Citizen science projects are a great way to learn more about the birds and other wildlife while helping scientists gather valuable information. The National Audubon Society has a long tradition of citizen science. Audubon's Christmas Bird Count, which has continued for over a century is the "great grandfather" of today's citizen science projects. Whether you are looking for a science activity to do with a child, are a die-hard bird counter, or just love recording your own observations, there are projects for every skill level and interest. All of the projects listed here can be done in Mesa County. If you know of a project that should be listed here and isn't yet, please email us a link to the project website (click email GVAS at the top right of this page or email [email protected].)
Get outside and get some data! Citizen science projects are a great way to learn more about the birds and other wildlife while helping scientists gather valuable information. The National Audubon Society has a long tradition of citizen science. Audubon's Christmas Bird Count, which has continued for over a century is the "great grandfather" of today's citizen science projects. Whether you are looking for a science activity to do with a child, are a die-hard bird counter, or just love recording your own observations, there are projects for every skill level and interest. All of the projects listed here can be done in Mesa County. If you know of a project that should be listed here and isn't yet, please email us a link to the project website (click email GVAS at the top right of this page or email [email protected].)
Bird CountsAudubon's Christmas Bird Count – perhaps the longest running citizen science project– is not the only bird count that contributes valuable data about bird distribution and populations. The Breeding Bird Survey, the Great Backyard Bird Count and the International Migratory Bird Day Spring Count are great ways to participate as well. Check them out!
Citizen Science 101:
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Pieris Project"The Pieris Project is a citizen science initiative designed to study how organisms respond to changes in their environment, using the cabbage white butterfly (Pieris rapae). Originally believed to have come from Europe, this butterfly has invaded many parts of the world and is now one of the most successful and abundant butterflies on the planet! Chances are you've seen them in your garden or fluttering by you while riding through town.
Because this butterfly has likely adapted to the many new and different environments in now inhabits, we can use it to study how organisms respond to changes in their environment. This information will help us predict how other species might respond to similar changes, something we still don't know for most species. That's why we need your help!" A citizen scientist is someone who is not a trained or professional scientist but helps to conduct and contribute to scientific research. Citizen scientists can offer hypotheses, design experiments independently or as part of a larger group, collect and report scientific data, analyze the results, and offer solutions to problems. Through citizen science projects, anyone can help to make scientific breakthroughs happen.
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Project Feeder Watch"Project Feeder Watch" is a winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders at backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales in North America. FeederWatchers periodically count the birds they see at their feeders from November through early April and send their counts to Project FeederWatch. FeederWatch data help scientists track broadscale movements of winter bird populations and long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance.
Anyone interested in birds can participate. FeederWatch is conducted by people of all skill levels and backgrounds, including children, families, individuals, classrooms, retired persons, youth groups, nature centers, and bird clubs. You can count birds as often as every week, or as infrequently as you like: the schedule is completely flexible. All you need is a bird feeder, bird bath, or plantings that attract birds." |
Lost Ladybug Project"Across North America ladybug species composition is changing. Over the past twenty years native ladybugs that were once very common have become extremely rare. During this same time ladybugs from other parts of the world have greatly increased both their numbers and range. This is happening very quickly and we don’t know how, or why, or what impact it will have on ladybug diversity or the role that ladybugs play in keeping plant-feeding insect populations low. We're asking you to join us in finding out where all the ladybugs have gone so we can try to prevent more native species from becoming so rare."
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Hummingbirds at Home"By joining Audubon Hummingbirds at Home you will join a movement to crowdsource rigorous science that is meaningful for hummingbirds. You will become an integral piece of a continent-wide network of citizen scientists helping uncover how hummingbirds are affected by climate change and providing the information necessary to devise actions to help them."
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Natural History AppsYour smartphone can be a powerful scientific tool. There are a number of fantastic apps that can help you collect useful data about birds and other organisms as well as help you identify the species you encounter. Check them out!
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