Community Science
When community members and scientists work together, scientists are able to share the importance of their work, while the community has the opportunity to make an impact and contribute to projects they feel passionate about.
What is Community Science?
The growing field of community science, including volunteer monitoring, and other forms of organized research, engages members of the public in the process of scientific Investigations: asking questions, collecting data, and/or interpreting results. Community science can enable research that would not be possible, or practical, otherwise.
Community science enables volunteer participants to make a direct contribution to research, increase their personal scientific understanding, and immerse themselves deeply in learning about the living world around them. These opportunities can provide personally transformative experiences, as well as an invaluable contribution to research.
Community science is an accessible and fun way for anyone to participate in the scientific process, and all participants in a project use the same protocol to ensure the collection of a large sample of high quality, open access data that can help scientists reach meaningful conclusions. In the past, collecting large samples of data for research was the most challenging task of any research initiative. Now, with public involvement and new technologies like mobile computing devices that allow participants to log data from anywhere, the sky’s the limit!
Who is a Community Scientist?
You may already be a community scientist! A community scientist is an individual who voluntarily contributes his or her time, effort, and resources toward scientific research. All you need to be a community scientist is an eagerness to learn and contribute to new scientific information, no formal science background is necessary!
Today, community scientists have many advocates in the scientific community and come from all walks of life, including thousands of non-traditional participants, kids, outdoor enthusiasts, educators, birders, and students who want a more hands-on experience outside the classroom. If you’re not yet a community scientist, check out our programs.
How can I get Involved?
The University of Wyoming Biodiversity Institute and its partners run a selection of community science projects. Each year the Institute adds new projects to its repertoire; some are short single or multiple day events, like the Annual Wyoming Bioblitz, while others are ongoing projects like the Rocky Mountain Amphibian Project, Monarchs and Milkweeds, or our ever-popular Bi-Annual Moose Day. You can contribute species observations, and look at community and professional data any time on our biodiversity data portal- WyoBio.
The Institute organizes citizen science programs with a wide range of levels of engagement and training, so we encourage you to check out our offerings and browse through other programs around the region on our Rocky Mountain Community Science website to see if there are projects that are right for you!
Biodiversity Institute Community-Scientist Participants
Individuals
Groups
Professionals
Youth
Biodiversity Institute Community Science Programs:
The Atlas is a community science project aimed at gathering the data needed to track and conserve bumble bees.
The mission of the Global Vegetation Project is to inspire and empower people of all ages to learn about the diversity of vegetation on our planet and to provide educators with a resource for teaching online.
Our iNaturalist programs are designed to work with you - community scientists across Wyoming - to gather observations of where, when and how many organisms exist of a particular species.
Many adult salamanders are killed when they cross the roads in the spring. Many drivers do not know the salamanders exist, and they are small and difficult to see on rainy nights if you don’t know to look for them! You can help Laramie’s tiger salamanders by assisting with their migration and reporting your salamander sightings.
Our Winter and Summer Moose Days are an opportunity for community members to participate in the management and conservation of area moose populations, while enjoying our national forests at the same time!
Are you interested in exploring a post-fire ecosystem in the Medicine Bow Mountains, contributing to scientific knowledge, and learning more about fire ecology and biological recovery? Join us on October 23rd for a free field trip to the Mullen Fire burn area and learn about upcoming, exciting opportunities to contribute to our understanding of post-fire recovery.
Frogs, toads and salamanders are disappearing around the world - but you can help by tracking their whereabouts in the Rocky Mountain region! Adopt a catchment, visit the site to find which frogs, toads and salamanders you can find, and be part of the Rocky Mountain Amphibian Project!
Community science is a collaborative research effort that connects scientists and science enthusiasts in the broader community. Anyone can become part of the scientific process by participating in community science projects and collecting data to answer important research questions.
Did you know turkey vultures serve a vital role in Wyoming as recyclers and “cleaners?” Yet, even as one of the most widely distributed North American vultures, little is understood about them in Wyoming. Join us in a new community science project to help researchers learn more about these fascinating birds in our state
The Biodiversity Institute and Audubon Rockies host an annual 24-hour Bioblitz event in which teams of scientists, teachers, volunteers, environmental educators, and community members join forces to find, identify, and learn about as many local plant, insect and animal species as possible.
Wyoming Tick Surveillance is a new community science surveillance program that entails collecting ticks, identifying the species, and testing the ticks for pathogens that cause disease.