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
Vermont eBird Report and explore bird sightings with this online checklist	Kent McFarland	Year-round	Beginner to expert
Hispaniola eBird Help track birds in the Dominican Republic and Haiti with this online checklist.	Kent McFarland	Year-round	Beginner to expert
Mountain Birdwatch Adopt a mountain for long-term monitoring of Bicknell's Thrush and other mountain songbirds.	Julie Hart Dan Lambert	June	Beginner to expert. Hiking required.
LoonWatch Help create a snapshopt of Vermont loon populations each year.	Eric Hanson	mid-July	Beginner to expert
Vermont Loon Recovery Project Help monitor nests and lakes.	Eric Hanson	spring - summer	Beginner to expert
Forest Bird Monitoring Program Help track long-term changes in populations of interior forest songbirds.	Steve Faccio	June	Ability to identify forest birds by sight and sound. Hiking required.
Vermont Breeding Bird Survey Help track long-term changes in populations of birds.	Steve Faccio	June	Ability to identify all birds by sight and sound.
Vermont Nest Record Program Find and monitor bird nests in your area.	Roz Renfrew	spring-summer	Beginner to expert