Have you ever participated in a Citizen Science Project?

With the rapid advancements in technology, many amateur nature lovers are being recruited to report their sightings and observations into interactive online databases. Their role is now data collectors. Because of the internet’s capabilities, several conservation groups are administering Citizen Science Projects using the data collected by amateurs.

One example is the Audubon Christmas Bird Count which takes place December 14 through January 5 each season. This is the oldest citizen science project in existence. Another is the Great Backyard Bird Count (February 15-18, 2008). And yet another is through Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Be sure to check out the Bird Source for more information and for an interactive view of the results of these annual counts. Another group developing these online databases are the butter-fly watchers. Their project, Butterflies I’ve Seen, just went online and is expected to attract a lot of interest. Events such as these have motivated many people to get outdoors and experience nature like never before.

With the use of indoor technology (the internet) people can share their observations with others immediately and see their information become part of a whole science project. Learning. Involvement. Excitement. All these things stimulate interest and intensify the connection we feel to our natural surroundings.

Bring nature into your backyard with the use of birdfeeders, birdhouses, birdbaths, a variety of bird foods and many other unique backyard treasures. It’s great fun for kids too!

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