Working Side by Side

Did you know that members of the public help do science in national parks every day? Called citizen scientists, participatory scientists, community scientists, or even volunteer scientists, members of the public – that means you! – are welcome to participate in science projects. The National Park Service and its partners use the research findings to understand and protect the nation’s most beloved public places.

Explore this website to learn about projects in parks, ways to join, and the real impact volunteer scientists make on the places we care about.  

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Duration:
2 minutes, 4 seconds

Watch this short video highlighting what citizen science looks like and why it is important.

A woman looks through a measuring device in a desert landscape
About Citizen Science

Find out about what citizen science is, and what citizen scientists do.

a boy looks at a bug with a magnifying glass
Get Involved

Learn how you can join citizen science projects with NPS and across the country.

Last updated: May 23, 2024