Want to learn more about Aussie wildlife, and contribute to science at the same time?
What is citizen science?
Citizen science is public participation in scientific research to increase knowledge.
Many environmental scientists have limited resources. and contributions from the public can make the difference between whether a project succeeds or fails.
Whatever your interests, if you have the spare time, there’s a citizen science program right for you! Here are our top three picks.
Enter the toad-ally awesome world of frogs and start discovering Australia’s unique frog species.
FrogID is a national citizen’s project which aims to document Australia’s frogs. Their new app allows anyone to record frog calls and submit them to Australia’s first national frog count.
Your contribution will help scientists better understand how frogs and their ecosystems are changing over time. You can join the FrogID team today by downloading their app or visiting their website.
Native ‘Southern corroboree frog’
Practicing social (butterfly) distancing and join a network of keen individuals passionate about Australia’s butterflies.
Butterflies Australia has recently launched their citizen science project and have made it easy for all members of the public to get involved.
They run workshops across the country, and they have a free app and website to send your sightings to. Check out their website for fact sheets to help you get started on identifying butterflies.
Native ‘green-spotted triangle’ butterfly
Help our scientific knowledge on Australia’s birds take off by reporting your sightings to the Wingtags Project.
The project has seen over 100 individual birds, including cockatoos, ibises and turkeys, being tagged. If you see a bird with a wingtag, you can report the tag number and colour using the Wingtags app or via email.
To help them reach their goal of better understanding the lives of birds, visit their website or download their app to start contributing today!
Participants in the ‘Wingtags Project’
Your findings are an important source of information for scientists.
If you want to discover more citizen scientist projects like these, use the Australian Citizen Science Association’s Project Finder, or visit the Australian Museum’s DigiVol website.
The data you collect on Australian wildlife and endangered species will be used to improve conservation practices. There is a wide range of projects to choose from, and anything you contribute, whether big or small, is appreciated. So get started today to learn about Australia’s unique wildlife and contribute to its preservation.
Simon Pham
Volunteer contributor
DoSomethingNearYou
14 July, 2020