Citizen Science and Community Data
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Citizen Science Heat Mapping Shows Hot Spots Across Missoula County
| Missoula County | Missoula County | June 16, 2026
Community volunteers helped gather local temperature data across Missoula County, showing how heat varies by neighborhood and time of day. The project gives planners practical information for cooling strategies, shade investments, and public health protections.
Citizen Science Projects Expand NASA Earth Observation Participation
| NASA Earthdata | NASA | June 12, 2026
NASA’s citizen science program supports projects that connect public participation with Earth observation data. These efforts help communities contribute to biodiversity, water, ocean, atmosphere, and land-monitoring research.
Every Bird Counts for World Migratory Bird Day
| Convention on Migratory Species | CMS | May 8, 2026
World Migratory Bird Day 2026 emphasized citizen and community science as a way to protect birds across international flyways. Public observations, bird walks, and local events help build shared data for conservation.
Citizen Science and Public Health Surveys Fill Data Gaps
| Dilek Fraisl | Nature Cities | 2026
This article argues that citizen science can strengthen official statistics when traditional survey systems are missing or weakened. Community-generated data can help track health, environment, and social conditions where official data are incomplete.
Community-Based Participatory Statistics for Better Local Decisions
| C. M. Morton | The American Statistician | 2026
Community-based participatory statistics focuses on involving residents in defining questions, collecting data, and interpreting results. The approach helps make public data more useful for neighborhoods affected by policy decisions.
Water Security Through Citizen Groundwater Monitoring
| J. Adusei-Gyamfi | Water Resources Management | June 24, 2026
Citizen scientists can help monitor groundwater conditions in near real time, especially in places with limited official monitoring capacity. Local reporting and low-cost tools can improve water-security planning.
Low-Cost Sensors Help Communities Monitor Air Pollution
| U.S. EPA | EPA | March 11, 2026
EPA guidance explains how communities can use quality assurance plans for air sensor projects. Clear protocols help neighborhood sensor networks produce more reliable data for wildfire smoke, traffic pollution, and local air-quality concerns.
EPA Research in Arizona Uses Participatory Air Sensors
| U.S. EPA | EPA | May 4, 2026
EPA’s Arizona research includes low-cost participatory air sensor work in Phoenix. The project shows how community sensor networks can answer neighborhood-scale air-quality questions that standard regulatory monitors may miss.
Citizen Science Unlocks Urban Sustainability Monitoring
| Urban ReLeaf | Urban ReLeaf | January 26, 2026
Urban ReLeaf highlights how citizen science can contribute to urban sustainability indicators, including air quality, access to services, public space, safety, and community well-being. Resident data can make city monitoring more local and responsive.
Citizen Science and the Challenge of Measuring Urban Sustainability
| Phys.org | Phys.org | January 26, 2026
This article explains how citizen science can help cities track issues that official systems often overlook. Local observations can strengthen data on air quality, mobility, safety, public spaces, and neighborhood conditions.
Crowd Sensing for the Environment
| Phys.org | Phys.org | January 15, 2026
Smartphone apps and crowd-sourced observations are changing biodiversity recording. Plant identification apps, neighborhood mapping, and public observations can generate large environmental datasets, especially in cities.
Global Data Gaps Show Why Citizen Science Is Essential
| Phys.org | Phys.org | January 10, 2026
Citizen science is increasingly important for filling data gaps in environmental, health, and social research. The article shows how community participation can expand knowledge where official monitoring systems are limited.
OneAquaHealth App Supports Urban River Citizen Science
| OneAquaHealth | OneAquaHealth | January 19, 2026
OneAquaHealth invites residents to document urban stream and river conditions through photos, videos, and structured observations. The app helps create comparable datasets for river protection and public health research.
Great Backyard Bird Count Begins February 13
| Cornell Chronicle | Cornell University | February 2, 2026
The Great Backyard Bird Count asks people around the world to record bird observations and submit them to eBird. The project turns everyday birdwatching into useful conservation data.
Great Backyard Bird Count Makes Every Observation Matter
| Great Backyard Bird Count | BirdCount.org | 2026
The Great Backyard Bird Count shows how simple local observations can become part of global biodiversity science. Participants count birds from backyards, parks, schools, and community spaces.
Cornell Lab Engages Students in Participatory Science
| Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Cornell University | 2026
Cornell’s education resources help students collect and submit real scientific observations. Participatory science gives classrooms a way to connect local nature study with larger research projects.
Citizen Scientists Discover Giant Great Barrier Reef Coral
| The Guardian | The Guardian | February 24, 2026
Citizen scientists working with the Great Reef Census helped document a massive coral colony on the Great Barrier Reef. The finding shows how trained public observers can support marine conservation and reef monitoring.
Bugs Matter Project Measures Insect Decline With License Plates
| Le Monde | Le Monde | April 15, 2026
The Bugs Matter project asks drivers to photograph insects on license plates before and after trips. These simple observations help scientists estimate changes in insect abundance over time.
Highly Active and Casual Citizen Scientists Both Add Value
| Phys.org | Phys.org | March 24, 2026
Research shows that frequent and occasional citizen scientists contribute different but useful biodiversity data. Active users often visit nature-rich areas, while casual users capture everyday urban observations.
New Nature App Expands Citizen Plant Data
| Phys.org | Phys.org | March 31, 2026
Plant identification apps can help people document weeds, pollen, and plant diversity. These tools make it easier for residents to contribute useful biodiversity observations from ordinary places.
Children and Adults Connect Curiosity to Conservation
| Phys.org | Phys.org | April 13, 2026
Citizen science can help people move from curiosity about nature to conservation action. Programs that welcome children and adults build both scientific data and public engagement.
Roadmap Outlines Biodiversity Variables for European Monitoring
| Phys.org | Phys.org | February 23, 2026
A new biodiversity monitoring roadmap identifies key variables for tracking ecosystem change. Citizen science can help gather local observations needed for broad biodiversity assessment.
Effective Data Collection Approaches for Biodiversity Citizen Science
This study examines global patterns in citizen science contributions to biodiversity monitoring. It helps explain how data collection methods, participation patterns, and local conditions affect biodiversity datasets.
Community Biodiversity Monitoring in Rural Kalimantan
| M. S. Omar | Diversity | 2025
A citizen science initiative in rural Kalimantan engages local communities in recording wildlife observations. The project connects biodiversity monitoring with village forest management and local ecological knowledge.
Citizen Science Applications in Biodiversity Monitoring
| Springer Nature | Springer | 2026
This research collection highlights new work on citizen science for biodiversity monitoring. It brings together studies on public observations, conservation data, and methods for tracking species change.
Nature Index Explains Citizen Science in Environmental Monitoring
| Nature Index | Nature | 2026
Citizen science in environmental monitoring uses volunteers, apps, sensors, and community networks to record environmental conditions. The approach can expand data collection across ecosystems and urban areas.
Environmental Citizen Science Insights 2025
| Frontiers | Frontiers | 2025
This research topic examines advances and challenges in environmental citizen science. It focuses on data quality, public engagement, monitoring methods, and ways to turn community observations into action.
Public Health Citizen Science Encourages Deeper Participation
| Frontiers | Frontiers | 2025
Citizen science can support public health by involving residents in setting priorities, collecting data, and shaping interventions. The approach is especially useful when communities have direct knowledge of local risks.
Citizen Science in Environmental Monitoring From NILU
NILU describes how citizen science can spread knowledge, build environmental awareness, and generate useful monitoring data. Projects can be adapted for schools, neighborhoods, and community groups.
OECD Report Embeds Citizen Science Into Research Policy
OECD’s report explains how citizen science can be supported through research policy. It highlights public participation, data governance, and ways citizen-generated evidence can inform decisions.
Researchers Seek to Expand UK River Citizen Testing
| The Guardian | The Guardian | January 3, 2025
Thousands of UK volunteers tested river water for pollutants through organized citizen science blitzes. Researchers hope this community data can become part of official river monitoring and accountability.
Citizen Scientists Test Copper in Drinking Water
| J. E. Kath | Frontiers in Environmental Science | 2026
This study compares citizen-collected drinking water data using colorimetric and spectrophotometric methods. It shows how community water testing can be strengthened with careful protocols and laboratory support.
Community-Guided Monitoring of Water Contaminants
| A. K. Richardson | Nature Water | 2025
Community-guided contaminant monitoring helps align water research with local concerns. Citizen science can expand testing for physical, chemical, and biological indicators while keeping community priorities central.
Citizens and Pollution Board Test Dighalipukhuri Water
| Times of India | Times of India | 2025
A citizen group and pollution officials worked together to test water quality in Guwahati’s historic Dighalipukhuri tank. The effort combined scientific sampling with public participation in local environmental restoration.
Manistee Conservation District Seeks Stream Monitoring Volunteers
| Manistee News Advocate | Manistee News Advocate | 2025
Volunteers in Manistee County collect aquatic macroinvertebrates to assess stream health. These organisms help indicate whether local waterways are affected by pollution or habitat stress.
Citizen Science Helps Map Climate Change Impacts Through Local Heat Data
| Ferran Larroya et al. | arXiv | October 29, 2025
Residents in climate-vulnerable Barcelona neighborhoods collected temperature, humidity, location, and comfort data during thermal walks. The dataset combines sensor measurements with lived experience of urban heat.
Boston Heat Mapping Turns Data Into Neighborhood Action
| Data-Smart City Solutions | Harvard Kennedy School | August 14, 2025
Boston’s heat mapping work shows how resident-collected temperature data can guide urban cooling strategies. Community science helps identify where heat interventions are most needed.
Reno-Sparks Heat Mapping Shows Power of Local Data
| Vanesa de la Cruz Pavas | Sierra Nevada Ally | February 7, 2025
The Reno-Sparks heat mapping project used community participation to collect detailed temperature data. The results show how citizen science can expand research capacity and guide local climate adaptation.
Urban Heat Mapping Campaigns Move From Data to Action
| C. Fuhrmann et al. | Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society | 2024
This study connects urban heat mapping campaigns with demographic and vulnerability data. It shows how local temperature measurements can support targeted interventions for communities most exposed to extreme heat.
New Heat Maps Help Cities Prepare for Extreme Heat
| NOAA Climate Program Office | NOAA | 2024
NOAA-supported heat maps identify which neighborhoods experience the most intense heat. These tools help cities plan cooling centers, shade, outreach, and public health protections.
Heat.gov Provides Community Heat Safety Information
| NOAA and Partners | Heat.gov | 2026
Heat.gov centralizes federal heat-health information, forecasts, and safety guidance. Local governments and community groups can use it alongside neighborhood heat data to protect vulnerable residents.
Air Quality Mapping Uses Novel Sensors and Modeling
| D. Bousiotis et al. | EGUsphere | 2026
The RI-URBANS project uses novel measurements and mapping methods to identify urban air pollution hotspots. These tools can complement neighborhood sensor networks and official monitoring.
Visualizing Real-Time Environmental Sensor Data
| S. Renault | SN Computer Science | 2026
Affordable citizen science sensors are creating large networks of environmental data. Visualization tools help residents and researchers understand real-time air quality and other neighborhood conditions.
Open Air Quality Data Platforms Support Environmental Health
| C. M. F. Rosales et al. | Current Environmental Health Reports | 2025
Open air quality platforms help communities share and analyze sensor data. The article discusses low-cost sensors, mobile monitoring, and data repositories that support environmental health research.
Citizen Scientists Improve Air Quality in Indian Cities
| BMZ Digital Global | BMZ | December 11, 2025
Volunteers in India use apps, sensors, and artificial intelligence to monitor air pollution. Community data helps identify pollution patterns and supports action in cities affected by smog.
Empowering Citizens to Map Air Quality in Overlooked City Corners
| CORDIS | European Commission | June 18, 2024
Citizen science air monitoring can reveal pollution differences that official networks miss. Neighborhood-scale data helps communities document conditions in streets, schools, and local hotspots.
EPA Air Sensor Toolbox Supports Community Monitoring
EPA’s Air Sensor Toolbox provides guidance for people using low-cost air sensors. The resource helps communities understand sensor selection, data quality, wildfire smoke monitoring, and interpretation.
PurpleAir Shows Neighborhood-Level Air Sensor Networks
| PurpleAir | PurpleAir | 2026
PurpleAir sensor networks give residents access to local air quality readings. Community sensor data can help people understand wildfire smoke, wood smoke, traffic pollution, and short-term neighborhood differences.
AirNow Fire and Smoke Map Combines Sensors and Official Data
| U.S. EPA and Partners | AirNow | 2026
The Fire and Smoke Map combines regulatory monitors, temporary monitors, and sensor information to help communities understand smoke conditions. It supports public health decisions during wildfire events.
CanAirIO Supports Citizen Air Quality Monitoring
CanAirIO is a citizen science project that uses mobile and static sensors to monitor air quality. The project helps residents document pollution and share open environmental data.
Sensor.Community Builds Open Environmental Data Networks
| Sensor.Community | Sensor.Community | 2026
Sensor.Community supports distributed environmental sensing with low-cost devices. Residents can contribute air quality and environmental measurements to an open global data network.
VolcanoTech Uses Low-Cost Sensors for Community Risk Warnings
| The Guardian | The Guardian | June 25, 2026
Low-cost sensor technology can help communities near volcanoes detect gases linked to eruption risk. Affordable monitoring tools make dense local networks possible in places where traditional instruments are too expensive.
NASA GLOBE Connects Students to Environmental Data
| NASA and Partners | GLOBE Program | 2026
The GLOBE Program helps students and communities collect environmental observations about atmosphere, water, land, and life. The data supports science education and global environmental monitoring.
GLOBE Mosquito Habitat Mapper Supports Public Health
| NASA GLOBE Observer | NASA | 2026
The Mosquito Habitat Mapper lets people report mosquito breeding sites and larvae observations. Community data can support mosquito surveillance, education, and disease-prevention planning.
GLOBE Clouds Connects Ground Observations With Satellites
| NASA GLOBE Observer | NASA | 2026
GLOBE Clouds invites people to photograph and classify clouds when satellites pass overhead. Ground observations help scientists compare satellite readings with what people see from below.
Community Rain, Hail, and Snow Network Expands Weather Data
CoCoRaHS volunteers measure precipitation from homes, farms, schools, and community sites. Their reports improve local understanding of rainfall, drought, storms, and flood risk.
mPING Turns Weather Observations Into Public Data
| University of Oklahoma | mPING | 2026
mPING lets people report weather conditions such as rain, hail, snow, and ice. These observations help improve radar interpretation and local storm awareness.
NOAA Citizen Science Connects Volunteers With Environmental Research
NOAA citizen science projects invite the public to contribute observations on weather, oceans, coasts, and ecosystems. These programs expand environmental monitoring while building public participation in science.
CitSci.org Provides Tools for Community Science Projects
| CitSci.org | Colorado State University | 2026
CitSci.org helps groups create citizen science projects, collect observations, and manage data. The platform supports community-led monitoring across environmental, conservation, and public health topics.
CitizenScience.gov Catalog Helps People Find Projects
| U.S. Government | CitizenScience.gov | 2026
The federal citizen science catalog lists projects where volunteers can contribute data, observations, or analysis. It helps residents connect with public science efforts across many agencies.
SciStarter Connects Communities With Citizen Science Opportunities
| SciStarter | SciStarter | 2026
SciStarter helps people find citizen science projects by topic, location, and activity type. The platform makes it easier for schools, libraries, families, and community groups to join data-gathering efforts.
Zooniverse Shows How Volunteers Analyze Large Data Sets
| Zooniverse | Zooniverse | 2026
Zooniverse lets volunteers classify images, transcribe records, and analyze scientific data. The model shows how distributed public participation can help researchers process large datasets.
iNaturalist Turns Local Observations Into Biodiversity Records
| iNaturalist | iNaturalist | 2026
iNaturalist allows people to record plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms using photos and location data. Verified observations support biodiversity research, conservation, and local nature education.
eBird Converts Birdwatching Into Conservation Data
| Cornell Lab of Ornithology | eBird | 2026
eBird gathers bird observations from people around the world. The database helps researchers study migration, abundance, habitat use, and long-term population change.
Cornell Lab Reaches Billions of Bird Sightings
| Cornell Chronicle | Cornell University | August 19, 2025
Cornell Lab’s public bird databases reached major milestones in sightings and recordings. The scale of public participation shows how citizen science can power large ecological research systems.
eBird Data Helps Track Fire Effects on Birds
| Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Cornell University | 2025
Researchers used eBird participatory science data to study how wildfires affect bird populations in different regions. The findings can help refine fire management for conservation.
Bird Surveys Reach Similar Conclusions on Population Trends
| Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Cornell University | December 15, 2025
Two major bird monitoring programs found strong agreement on North American bird population trends. The result supports the value of both structured surveys and participatory science data.
Citizen Data Reveals North American Bird Declines
| The Guardian | The Guardian | May 1, 2025
Researchers used citizen science data from eBird to map declines across hundreds of North American bird species. Fine-scale public observations can help identify where conservation action is most urgent.
Great Backyard Bird Count Aids Research
| Cornell Chronicle | Cornell University | February 12, 2025
The Great Backyard Bird Count gives people a simple way to contribute to bird research. Observations entered into eBird support studies of migration, climate change, and population trends.
Christmas Bird Count Keeps a Century-Old Data Tradition Alive
| National Audubon Society | Audubon | 2026
Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count is one of the oldest community science programs. Volunteers collect bird data every winter, helping scientists track long-term changes in bird populations.
Climate Watch Tracks Birds Responding to Climate Change
| National Audubon Society | Audubon | 2026
Audubon’s Climate Watch asks volunteers to follow a protocol for observing target bird species. The project helps scientists study how birds are shifting their ranges as the climate changes.
About the Great Backyard Bird Count
| National Audubon Society | Audubon | 2026
The Great Backyard Bird Count invites birdwatchers to count birds for at least 15 minutes and report sightings. The event creates a real-time snapshot of bird populations.
Connecticut Summer Bird Counts Track Breeding Birds
| CT Insider | CT Insider | June 2026
Connecticut’s Summer Bird Counts rely on volunteers to document breeding-season birds. These community counts help reveal local trends in common and declining species.
Great Backyard Bird Count in Madurai Trains Student Observers
| Times of India | Times of India | February 2026
Students and community members in Madurai recorded local bird species during the Great Backyard Bird Count. The event introduced many participants to bird identification and ecological observation.
Maryland Biodiversity Project Catalogs Statewide Life
| Washington Post | Washington Post | January 22, 2026
The Maryland Biodiversity Project uses public observations to document species across the state. Volunteer records support conservation agencies, researchers, and local naturalists.
Community Science and DNA Expand Species Monitoring
| C. Corrales | Naturalis Repository | 2025
Community science can strengthen DNA-based biodiversity work by expanding sampling and local participation. The approach is useful for tracking species distributions and ecological change.
Environmental DNA Transforms Species Monitoring
| U.S. Geological Survey | USGS | September 9, 2025
USGS explains how environmental DNA can detect species from traces left in water, soil, or air. Community sampling can help make species monitoring more widespread and less invasive.
SmartWilds Builds Open Wildlife Monitoring Data
| Jenna Kline et al. | arXiv | September 23, 2025
SmartWilds combines drone imagery, camera traps, videos, and bioacoustic recordings for wildlife monitoring. Future releases are expected to include citizen science data and expanded monitoring.
Edge AI Could Improve Biodiversity Monitoring
| Aude Vuilliomenet et al. | arXiv | February 13, 2026
Edge AI can process biodiversity sensor data closer to where it is collected. This could help community monitoring systems produce faster alerts from cameras, microphones, and other field sensors.
SatBird Combines Satellite Images With eBird Data
| Mélisande Teng et al. | arXiv | November 2, 2023
SatBird combines remote sensing with citizen science bird observations to model species distributions. The approach shows how public biodiversity data can be paired with satellite imagery.
Bird Distribution Modeling Uses Remote Sensing and Citizen Data
| Mélisande Teng et al. | arXiv | May 1, 2023
This research uses citizen bird observations and satellite data to predict where species occur. The method could help fill biodiversity knowledge gaps in regions with fewer traditional surveys.
Spatial Clustering Improves Citizen Science Species Models
| Nahian Ahmed et al. | arXiv | December 20, 2024
Citizen science biodiversity data can be difficult to model because observations are uneven. This study tests spatial clustering methods to improve species distribution models using eBird data.
Citizen Science Helps Environmental Review
| ESA Journals | Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment | October 10, 2024
Citizen science can improve environmental review by expanding biodiversity monitoring and local evidence. Public observations may help identify ecological impacts that formal surveys miss.
Citizens Can Help Track Global Biodiversity Goals
| UNEP-WCMC | UNEP-WCMC | 2025
Citizen-generated data can contribute to tracking many global biodiversity goals. Public participation helps expand monitoring capacity and connect conservation targets to local observations.
Community Science Supports Global Biodiversity Reporting
| Citizen Science Global Partnership | Citizen Science Global Partnership | 2025
Citizen science can provide large-scale biodiversity data for conservation programs and national reporting. Trained community observers can produce valuable records when projects use clear protocols.
Extreme Citizen Science Helps Monitor Marine Biodiversity
| Phys.org | Phys.org | October 28, 2024
High school students and other community participants can contribute to marine biodiversity monitoring. Extreme citizen science gives local people a stronger role in data collection and conservation.
Researchers Combine Citizen Help With New Biodiversity Technology
| Phys.org | Phys.org | January 17, 2025
Biodiversity researchers are combining public participation with drones, cameras, sensors, and online tools. The approach can help track species in landscapes where traditional monitoring is limited.
Monitoring Biodiversity Requires More Than Numbers
| Phys.org | Phys.org | March 19, 2024
Biodiversity monitoring depends on methods, interpretation, and public engagement, not just raw counts. Citizen scientists can help gather observations while also broadening conservation participation.
Participatory Research and Climate-Health Engagement
| Y. Palmeiro-Silva et al. | PMC | 2026
Participatory research on climate and health raises ethical questions about community power, data use, and local benefit. The article shows why community engagement must go beyond simple data extraction.
From Citizens to Citizens in Evidence-Based Planning
| R. Roncella | International Journal of Digital Earth | 2026
Citizen science can improve information sharing between residents, researchers, and decision-makers. The article focuses on how public data can support evidence-based local planning.
Legal Frameworks for Citizen Science Data
| A. B. Suman | Citizen Science: Theory and Practice | 2023
Citizen science raises legal and governance questions about data collection, ownership, consent, and use. Better frameworks can protect communities while making citizen-generated evidence more useful.
Citizen Science Theory and Practice Advances the Field
| Citizen Science Association | Citizen Science: Theory and Practice | 2026
This open-access journal publishes research on citizen science, participatory science, and community-based monitoring. It is a key source for methods, evaluation, ethics, and case studies.
Participatory Sciences Conference Builds Community Science Capacity
| Association for Advancing Participatory Sciences | CAPS | 2026
The CAPS 2026 program includes sessions on community science, civic engagement, and public participation. The conference helps practitioners design projects around community priorities.
Citizen Science in 2026 Helps Residents Track Spring
| Hammersmith & Fulham Council | London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham | March 4, 2026
Local residents are encouraged to join citizen science projects such as bird counts, butterfly counts, bioblitzes, and river monitoring. These activities help track biodiversity and inform conservation.
NASA Training Connects Citizen Science With Remote Sensing
| NASA Earthdata | NASA | January 24, 2023
NASA’s ARSET training explains how citizen science can be paired with Earth observation data. The training includes case studies and guidance for engaging communities in remote sensing projects.
NASA eClips Brings GLOBE Science to Chesapeake Students
Students in Chesapeake used microscopes and field lessons to learn about macroinvertebrates, plankton, and mosquitoes. The program connects youth education with environmental observation.
USGS Uses Volunteers With Quality Control
| U.S. Geological Survey | USGS | 2026
USGS explains that volunteers can assist with data collection when they are trained and supervised. Quality control helps ensure community-collected data is useful for science.
USGS Water Use Data Supports Local Planning
| U.S. Geological Survey | USGS | June 17, 2026
USGS water-use estimates provide county and state-level information on groundwater and surface water. Communities can use this data alongside local monitoring to plan for water security.
USGS Reviews Hydrologic Science in Upper Klamath Basin
| A. J. Stonewall et al. | USGS | June 30, 2026
The Upper Klamath Basin review examines water tools, data, and models available for management. Community monitoring can complement official hydrologic science in complex water-stressed regions.
USGS Colorado River Drought Planning Highlights Monitoring Needs
| P. J. Anderson et al. | USGS | 2025
Collaborative drought planning for the Colorado River Basin identified a need for better water quality and real-time monitoring. Sensor data and local observations can support drought response.
PFAS Monitoring Shows Importance of Public Water Data
| M. L. Schreiner et al. | USGS | June 30, 2026
USGS research on PFAS in New Jersey surface waters connects monitoring data with public water concerns. Transparent water testing helps communities understand contamination risks.
FreshWater Watch Mobilizes Global Water Testing
| Earthwatch | FreshWater Watch | 2026
FreshWater Watch trains people to collect data on freshwater health. Community water testing can reveal pollution, nutrient levels, and local changes in rivers, lakes, and ponds.
Great UK WaterBlitz Organizes Citizen River Testing
| Earthwatch Europe | Earthwatch | 2026
The Great UK WaterBlitz invites people to test local waterways over short sampling windows. Coordinated citizen testing can reveal widespread pollution patterns and increase public pressure for cleanup.
Water Reporter Helps Communities Document Watersheds
| Water Reporter | Water Reporter | 2026
Water Reporter provides tools for groups to collect and share watershed observations. The platform supports local monitoring, restoration projects, and community environmental reporting.
Marine Debris Tracker Turns Cleanup Data Into Research
| Marine Debris Tracker | University of Georgia | 2026
Marine Debris Tracker lets people record litter and debris during cleanups. The resulting data helps researchers and communities understand sources, locations, and types of pollution.
NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project Uses Volunteers
| NOAA Marine Debris Program | NOAA | 2026
NOAA’s monitoring project uses standardized shoreline surveys to track marine debris over time. Volunteers collect data that can guide prevention, cleanup, and policy decisions.
CoastSnap Uses Community Photos to Monitor Beaches
| CoastSnap | CoastSnap | 2026
CoastSnap uses fixed photo stations where visitors take repeat images of beaches. Public photos help scientists monitor shoreline change, erosion, and coastal recovery.
MyCoast Helps Residents Report Coastal Hazards
MyCoast lets residents document flooding, king tides, storm damage, and coastal conditions. Local reports help agencies understand hazards and plan resilience projects.
King Tides Project Documents Coastal Flooding
| King Tides Project | King Tides Project | 2026
King Tides projects ask residents to photograph unusually high tides. These images help communities visualize future sea-level rise and identify vulnerable coastal infrastructure.
iSeeChange Connects Local Stories With Climate Data
| iSeeChange | iSeeChange | 2026
iSeeChange collects resident observations about flooding, heat, storms, and environmental change. Community stories and data help reveal how climate impacts are experienced at neighborhood scale.
Community Collaborative Rain Data Helps Flood Awareness
CoCoRaHS volunteers submit daily precipitation reports from standardized gauges. Local rain data improves understanding of storms, drought, flood risk, and water supplies.
Neighborhood Air Sensors Need Careful Interpretation
EPA’s air sensor guidebook explains how low-cost sensors work and what their limitations are. Community groups can use the guidance to design better monitoring projects and avoid misleading conclusions.
EPA Community Air Monitoring Grants Expand Local Data
EPA’s air trends report describes major investments in community air monitoring. Expanded local monitoring can help communities document pollution exposure and pursue healthier neighborhoods.
Community Air Data Can Support Environmental Justice
Environmental justice work depends on understanding local exposure, health risks, and community priorities. Citizen science can help document environmental burdens that are unevenly distributed.
OpenStreetMap Shows the Power of Community Mapping
| OpenStreetMap | OpenStreetMap | 2026
OpenStreetMap is a global community mapping project where volunteers create and improve geographic data. Local mapping can support disaster response, accessibility, transportation planning, and environmental work.
Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team Uses Community Data for Response
| Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team | HOT | 2026
HOT mobilizes volunteers to map places affected by disasters, conflict, and climate risk. Community-generated geographic data helps responders and local organizations plan services.
Mapillary Supports Street-Level Community Data
| Mapillary | Mapillary | 2026
Mapillary collects street-level imagery contributed by users and organizations. These images can help communities document infrastructure, sidewalks, signs, road conditions, and environmental features.
TreePlotter Helps Communities Map Urban Forests
| PlanIT Geo | TreePlotter | 2026
Tree inventory tools help cities and residents map urban trees, canopy, and maintenance needs. Community tree data supports shade planning, heat reduction, and neighborhood greening.
Nature’s Notebook Tracks Seasonal Change
| USA National Phenology Network | USA-NPN | 2026
Nature’s Notebook invites volunteers to record seasonal changes in plants and animals. These observations help scientists understand climate impacts on flowering, migration, leaf-out, and ecological timing.
Budburst Records Plant Phenology Through Public Observations
Budburst asks people to observe plant life-cycle events such as leafing, flowering, and fruiting. Public records help researchers track how plants respond to climate and local conditions.
Project FeederWatch Tracks Winter Birds at Feeders
| Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Project FeederWatch | 2026
Project FeederWatch uses counts from backyard feeders to monitor winter bird populations. The project helps reveal changes in abundance, distribution, and disease patterns.
NestWatch Uses Public Data on Bird Reproduction
| Cornell Lab of Ornithology | NestWatch | 2026
NestWatch invites people to monitor bird nests using a careful protocol. The data helps scientists study nesting success, breeding timing, and how birds respond to environmental change.
Project BudBurst and Nature Observations Support Climate Education
Budburst education tools help teachers and students collect plant observations. School-based citizen science connects local nature study with larger climate and ecology datasets.
Monarch Watch Tracks Migration and Habitat
| Monarch Watch | University of Kansas | 2026
Monarch Watch engages volunteers in tagging monarch butterflies and supporting habitat restoration. Community data helps researchers understand migration, population change, and conservation needs.
Journey North Tracks Wildlife Migration Through Public Reports
| Journey North | Journey North | 2026
Journey North collects public reports of migratory species and seasonal events. Observations of monarchs, hummingbirds, robins, and other species help map ecological change across regions.
Bumble Bee Watch Documents Pollinator Observations
| Bumble Bee Watch | Bumble Bee Watch | 2026
Bumble Bee Watch lets people submit photos of bumble bees for expert identification. The data helps track pollinator distributions, rare species, and conservation priorities.
The Great Sunflower Project Tracks Pollinator Visits
| Great Sunflower Project | Great Sunflower Project | 2026
The Great Sunflower Project asks people to count pollinator visits to flowers. Simple backyard observations help researchers understand bee activity and pollinator service patterns.
Community Science Helps Track Invasive Species
| EDDMapS | University of Georgia | 2026
EDDMapS allows volunteers and professionals to report invasive species sightings. Public reports support early detection, rapid response, and mapping of species spread.
Report Invasives Supports Local Detection Networks
| Report Invasives | Report Invasives | 2026
Report Invasives helps residents submit observations of invasive plants and animals. Community reporting can alert managers to new infestations before they become harder to control.
FrogWatch USA Uses Calls to Monitor Amphibians
| Association of Zoos and Aquariums | FrogWatch USA | 2026
FrogWatch USA trains volunteers to identify frogs and toads by their calls. Amphibian observations help track wetland health, climate effects, and species declines.
Community Bat Monitoring Supports Conservation
| Bat Conservation International | Bat Conservation International | 2026
Bat monitoring programs invite public participation in observing roosts, counts, and activity. Community data helps protect bats affected by habitat loss, disease, and climate stress.
Neighborhood Noise Mapping Can Reveal Environmental Stress
| NoiseCapture | Noise-Planet | 2026
NoiseCapture lets people measure and map noise with smartphones. Community noise data can help document environmental stress near roads, airports, nightlife districts, and industrial areas.
Safecast Shows Community Radiation and Air Monitoring
Safecast began as a volunteer radiation monitoring project and expanded into open environmental data. The project shows how community networks can collect independent measurements after disasters.
Public Lab Builds Community Environmental Monitoring Tools
| Public Lab | Public Lab | 2026
Public Lab supports community science with open-source tools for air, water, land, and environmental justice monitoring. The organization helps residents investigate local environmental concerns.
Community Science Can Strengthen Democracy and Accountability
| Public Lab | Public Lab | 2026
Community environmental monitoring gives residents evidence they can use in public meetings, permitting processes, and advocacy. Citizen science can make environmental decision-making more transparent and accountable.
