By Any Other Name

Citizen scientists are vital in helping us learn more about our parks. People of all ages and backgrounds can contribute to the discovery and documentation of living creatures through efforts such as BioBlitzes, All Taxa Biotic Inventories, and other types of biodiversity discovery activities.

Swallowtail Butterfly

NPS Photo.

Citizen Science: People of all abilities and backgrounds can engage in the collection and monitoring of scientific data in the national parks.

Citizen Science

Enjoy science? Love the national parks? Get involved in citizen science and discover biodiversity!

Become a Citizen Scientist

BioBlitz participants at the 2015 BioBlitz at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

NPS Photo.

Bioblitzes: short-term (usually 24 to 48 hour) events that bring together professional species experts and members of the public to inventory biodiversity in specific area.

Citizen scientists at the 2010 Bioblitz at Biscayne National Park

NPS Photo.

All-Taxa Biotic Inventory (ATBI): a long-term effort to identify all species within a certain area. The best known ATBI has been ongoing at Great Smoky Mountains National Park since 1998. More than 18,500 species have been found, including 8,095 species new to the park and 951 species new to science.