Members of the public help scientists collect data across the National Park System -- and beyond! Projects range from long-term studies over years to short-term opportunities over a few hours. Depending on the project, you may participate in a team at a scheduled time, on your own, or even virtually. Coordinated projects may take place at your home or local, state and federal lands across the nation. These are usually carried out with non-profit or educational partners.
Keep in mind that the data you collect in one place can be important at many places. Scientific observations about birds, for example, improve knowledge about avian health, migration, and even climate change. Participating in a backyard bird count at home can yield scientific data with implications for wildlife management in national parks.
Want to find a citizen science project? Check out these helpful links and hints. The table below provides more ideas.
- Find a Park: Use this tool to locate NPS parks near you, or at your destination. Look for “Contact Us” at the bottom of each park’s website. Send an email or give the park a call.
- NPS Research Learning Centers: Search these websites for projects at NPS research learning centers. Volunteer opportunities may be called “citizen science,” “participatory science,” “community science,” or simply “volunteer opportunities.”
- Volunteer Opportunities: Find ways to volunteer at NPS volunteer events and Volunteer.gov.
- Project Catalogs: Search catalogs on the Federal Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Catalog and SciStarter.
- Join a Network: National networks engage volunteers to enter geographically-coded data into an app or website. Many volunteers record observations in parks on their own. The park may or may not organize a specific event or program. iNaturalist and Nature's Notebook are two examples.
- Internet Search: Use your favorite internet search engine to find projects at NPS parks and beyond. Try keyword phrases like “volunteer archeology maryland,” “volunteer science national park,” “citizen science phenology.”
How to Use the Table
Use the table below to research opportunities near you (or near where you are going) to get involved with science. Before making too many plans, contact the project organizers for more information, such as when signup starts and what the expectations are. In addition, many projects are seasonal and not all take place every year. Be sure, too, to ask about in-person as opposed to virtual projects.
Reorder and sort the table by clicking on the column headers. Search the table by entering terms into the search box.
Reorder and sort the table by clicking on the column headers. Search the table by entering terms into the search box.
| Project | Organizer | Website | Subjects | States | Projects in NPS Parks | Data Applies NPS Parks |
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Last updated: May 6, 2024