Citizen Science

Recording your bird observation on sites like eBird can help scientists around the world understand bird populations and migrations.

NPS Photo

Citizen science is the practice of engaging everyday people in scientific research and data collection to help advance knowledge and solve real-world problems. In parks around the world people can contribute by observing wildlife, monitoring water quality, recording weather patterns, or even analyzing images online—all without needing formal scientific training. Participation can be as simple as using a smartphone app to log observations in your local park or joining a community project that supports conservation efforts.

How to contribute during your next park visit

Here at Padre Island National Seashore there are several easy ways you can participate in citizen science during your next visit to the park.

iNaturalist

iNaturalist focus on recording biodiversity observations, such as plants and wildlife. Users upload photos of plants and animals, and the community helps identify them.

eBird

eBird focus on bird monitoring and migration tracking. Birdwatchers log bird sightings to help scientists around the world study bird populations and species diversity. eBird is also a tool birdwatchers use to track their birding life list.

North American Bird Banding Program

If you spot a bird that has been banded, you can report the band information to the North American Bird Banding Program.

Chronolog

Chronolog is a citizen science platform that enables long-term environmental monitoring through community-contributed timelapse photography. Photos taken using these stations can help us monitor changes to the dune structure, vegetation in the coastal prairie, shoreline erosion, changing water levels in tidal mudflats, and so much more!

 

 

Working Side by Side

Explore more about citizen science thorough the National Park System.

NPS Citizen Science