Citizen Science

Photo by Lucy Beebe Tobias

Keep looking up!

Audubon’s members are not only our heart, but also our eyes and ears! Audubon offers lots of opportunities for you to contribute to the scientific observations and conservation policy development that are at the core of our organization. The longest running citizen science project in the nation is The Christmas Bird Count, begun in 1900 by the National Audubon Society!

Click here to learn more about Citizen Science from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of Science. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Citizen scientists are volunteers who contribute their knowledge and skills to ongoing research efforts. Audubon members apply their unique and sought-after skillset—bird identification and natural history expertise—to some of today’s most pressing environmental questions. Citizen science is more than just going birdwatching, and is not always glamorous; in fact, it often means making observations at times and locations that might not be as appealing as your usual birding activities. However, citizen scientists find great satisfaction in knowing their efforts allow scientists to collect data on larger geographic and time scales than would otherwise be possible. This leads to policies that help birds and the environment.

Mentors work with citizen scientists to design and implement research projects that are rigorous enough to provide results that can be applied to conservation. Citizen science mentors need both knowledge about the birds of Florida as well as the ability to understand and execute scientific protocols. Many mentors are working or retired scientists or individuals who have worked with natural resource management agencies.

Click here to learn more about Citizen Science from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Mentors Needed! If you have a background in scientific design and/or statistics, we need you! Please contact Jacqui Sulek.

Report Invasive Species: Ivegot1.org is and invasive species reporting tool which links to an Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System which documents invasive species distribution.