There are a number of different opportunities for gardeners to make a further contribution to data collection efforts that include observations relating to time in the garden but also reach beyond their personal space for the greater good.
Mushroom Observer
More than 95% of the world's fungi species remain unknown to science. Join fellow citizen mycologists on their mission to fill in mushroom research gaps.
This website allows observers to record observations about mushrooms, help people identify mushrooms, and expand the community around the scientific exploration of mushrooms (mycology). The site has over 40,000 members who have contributed more than one million images and more than 400,000 observations.
Users may want to start on the 'How to Use' page, which provides tips for navigating and adding content, as well as a 'Concepts Gallery' that defines terms. The site is searchable using the query bar at the top left, or by clicking on the 'Advanced Search.'
This website allows observers to record observations about mushrooms, help people identify mushrooms, and expand the community around the scientific exploration of mushrooms (mycology). The site has over 40,000 members who have contributed more than one million images and more than 400,000 observations.
Users may want to start on the 'How to Use' page, which provides tips for navigating and adding content, as well as a 'Concepts Gallery' that defines terms. The site is searchable using the query bar at the top left, or by clicking on the 'Advanced Search.'
Christmas Bird Count
The Christmas Bird Count is community volunteer program run by the National Audubon Society. Every year, from December 14 through January 5, thousands of volunteers from many countries in the Western Hemisphere go out to count birds.
Since the start of the CBC over a century ago, the program has relied on volunteers to help count the birds. If interested, click on the link above to learn more!
Since the start of the CBC over a century ago, the program has relied on volunteers to help count the birds. If interested, click on the link above to learn more!
Monarch Larva Monitoring Project
Due to habitat loss, milkweed, the monarch's main habitation and food source, is becoming fewer and farther between. Consequently, the number of monarch caterpillars, or larvae, are dwindling.
The Monarch Larva Monitoring Project was started in the 1990s by researchers at the University of Minnesota and has grown to involve volunteers across the United States and Canada.
Volunteers participate in online training and can monitor a particular site, often even their own backyards. As of 2015, there were over 1,100 sites working to record data to assist scientists in tracking the health of monarch populations and the habitats they depend on.
The Monarch Larva Monitoring Project was started in the 1990s by researchers at the University of Minnesota and has grown to involve volunteers across the United States and Canada.
Volunteers participate in online training and can monitor a particular site, often even their own backyards. As of 2015, there were over 1,100 sites working to record data to assist scientists in tracking the health of monarch populations and the habitats they depend on.
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
"Pollinators are responsible for 1 out of 3 bites of food we take each day, and yet pollinators are at critical point in their own survival." These pollinators include bees, butterflies, bats, birds, and more.
The Million Pollinator Garden Challenge aims to increase nectar and pollen providing landscapes in the million plus forage locations across the United States.
The Million Pollinator Garden Challenge aims to increase nectar and pollen providing landscapes in the million plus forage locations across the United States.
Virginia Bluebird Society Nest Box Monitoring
Nest boxes are man-made enclosures most frequently utilized for birds to nest in. The Virginia Bluebird Society has a lot of information on monitoring these nest boxes, which can be found at the link above.
Great Backyard Bird Count
The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual bird count event run by The Cornell Lab, Audubon, and Birds Canada. Each year, people come together from around the world to watch, learn about, count, and appreciate birds.
The event runs every year, and this year is taking place from February 12-15, 2021. Participation is easy; you simply watch birds for 15 minutes or more, at least once over the four days and record what you see either online or in an app.
This is a great activity to do this year, even with COVID-19, as you can easily social distance and wear a mask while watching birds!
The event runs every year, and this year is taking place from February 12-15, 2021. Participation is easy; you simply watch birds for 15 minutes or more, at least once over the four days and record what you see either online or in an app.
This is a great activity to do this year, even with COVID-19, as you can easily social distance and wear a mask while watching birds!
Nature's Notebook
Nature's Notebook is an online app and database to record your observations in your backyard or community park. Nature's Notebook is a project of the USA National Phenology Network and let's you track seasonal changes in plants and animals right at home.
Your data is used by scientists in various different ways!
Your data is used by scientists in various different ways!
High Five from Nature
High Five from Nature is a webinar series with presenters from Virginia Master Naturalist volunteers. Each webinar is about five species and is between 20 minutes to an hour in length. Click on the link above to find out more and to register for future webinars!
Redbud Phenology Project
The Redbud Phenology Project takes your information and observations of your own redbud trees. They compare these observations to historical records of these trees to answer questions about the advancement of flowering and fruiting.
Global Butterfly Census
The Global Butterfly Census is seeking citizen scientists to help with photographing butterflies for their census. To participate in this census, simply take a photo of the butterfly you see and send it to a phone number (in article linked), along with your coordinates!