Citizen Science

Park ranger explains survey form while surrounded by citizen scientists.
Citizen scientists learn how to conduct a mountain goat survey during a High Country Citizen Science training.

NPS/Renata Harrison

The Glacier National Park Citizen Science Program engages park visitors, students, and staff in collection of scientific information that would otherwise be unavailable to resource managers and researchers. Since 2005, the Citizen Science Program has invited members of the public to assist in biological research while recreating in the park. The program is coordinated by the Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center (CCRLC), based in Glacier, and made possible by the generous support of the Glacier National Park Conservancy.

For citizen scientists, the rewards are a sense of stewardship, a greater awareness of the park's resource issues, and an expanded insight in ecological research methods. For the park, citizen science provides a wealth of baseline data that increases our understanding of priority wildlife and plant species. It also enables us to begin addressing the growing list of research and monitoring needs in spite of personnel and funding constraints.

Current Citizen Science Projects

Common Loon Citizen Science Project
Field surveys are conducted by citizen scientists at 45 priority lakes in Glacier National Park to document population size and reproductive success of common loons.

High Country Citizen Science Project
Citizen scientists participate in backcountry surveys to collect data on the number and distribution of mountain goats and pikas, two species of concern found in Glacier's high country.

Hawk Watch Citizen Science Project
Participants learn how to identify, count, and record data on migrating raptors (eagles, hawks, and falcons) that make their way through Glacier National Park each fall on their way south to warmer climates.

Learn more about each of our citizen science projects by visiting the links below or visit our education highlights and research highlights pages for in-depth articles on citizen science projects. If you are interested in becoming a citizen scientist at Glacier National Park, please e-mail us.

Last updated: January 28, 2020

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