Citizen Science
From backyards to remote mountain summits, anyone can contribute to VCE research when they become a citizen scientist. Data from the projects described below are used to monitor wildlife populations and forge conservation efforts. It's easy and fun...join us!
What is Citizen Science?
VCE scientists partner with volunteers to help answer research questions that require an army of observers. Volunteers, often people with little or no formal scientific training, are given the opportunity to learn about wildlife and pressing conservation issues, while scientists are able to answer questions over vast geographic and time scales.
Who are Citizen Scientists?
Over 1,300 volunteers from 13 states contributed time and information as VCE citizen scientists.
Please Join Us!
To become a VCE citizen scientist, choose a project below that best suits your schedule, interests, and experience. There's something for everyone - from the novice observer eager to learn, to the expert naturalist seeking new challenges.
Project |
Leader |
Season |
Ability |
Website |
|
Kent McFarland
kmcfarland@vtecostudies.org |
Year-round |
Beginner to expert |
ebird.org/content/vt/
ebird.org/content/hispaniola
|
Mountain Birdwatch
Adopt a mountain and survey Bicknell's Thrush and other mountain songbirds. |
Judith Scarl
jscarl@vtecostudies.org
|
June |
Beginner to expert. Hiking required. |
www.vtecostudies.org/MBW/ |
LoonWatch
Participate in the annual one day census of Vermont's breeding loons and help create a snapshopt of Vermont loon populations. |
Eric Hanson
ehanson@vtecostudies.org
|
mid-July |
Beginner to expert |
www.vtecostudies.org/loons/ |
Vermont Loon Recovery Project
Help monitor nests and lakes. |
Eric Hanson
ehanson@vtecostudies.org
|
spring - summer |
Beginner to expert |
www.vtecostudies.org/loons/ |
Forest Bird Monitoring Program
Help track long-term changes in populations of interior forest songbirds. |
Steve Faccio
sfaccio@vtecostudies.org
|
June |
Ability to identify forest birds by sight and sound. Hiking required. |
www.vtecostudies.org/FBMP/ |
Vermont Breeding Bird Survey
Help track long-term changes in populations of interior forest songbirds. |
Steve Faccio
sfaccio@vtecostudies.org
|
June |
Ability to identify all birds by sight and sound. |
www.vtecostudies.org/vtbbs/ |
Vermont Vernal Pool Mapping Project
Help map vernal pool locations statewide by conducting field visits to potential pools. |
Steve Faccio
sfaccio@vtecostudies.org
|
Primarily Spring, also Summer and Fall |
Beginner to expert |
www.vtecostudies.org/VPMP/ |
