Community Science
Community Science projects involve the collection and analysis of data relating to the natural world by members of the general public, typically as part of a collaborative project with professional scientists who utilize these data in scientific research to increase scientific knowledge. The following partial list of established community science projects are aligned with the mission of the Bucks County Audubon Society*. Many of these websites provide training necessary to participate in the community science projects.
* PLEASE NOTE: This list is provided as an information resource and does not imply sponsorship or approval by the Bucks County Audubon Society.
National Audubon Society Sponsored
Audubon Christmas Bird Count (Mid-December – early January annually)
This community science project provides scientists with information about worldwide bird populations, involving single-day counts between December 14 and January 5 conducted by organized groups of birders.
https://www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count
Great Backyard Bird Count (President’s weekend annually)
This community science project provides scientists with a sample of worldwide bird populations and distribution.
https://www.audubon.org/conservation/about-great-backyard-bird-count
Climate Watch (Twice annually, mid-January to mid-February and mid-May to mid-June). A program to track the near-real-time response of 12 species to a changing climate.
https://www.audubon.org/conservation/climate-watch
Cornell Lab for Ornithology Sponsored
NestWatch Monitor bird nests and record data on species, eggs, and young. Your data are used by scientists to explore factors that affect breeding birds.
eBird
The eBird app can be used to keep records of bird encounters and observations that can be shared with other interested parties, including scientific researchers.
Project FeederWatch (Nov-April), participant fee (includes kit). Participants count birds at their feeders from November through April. Scientists use these data to monitor the abundance and distribution of birds, including changes from environmental factors.
Other
iNaturalist
Using your cellphone camera and the free iNaturalist app you can contribute biodiversity data for use in numerous scientific research programs.