Citizen Science Projects
Citizen science is the collection and analysis of scientific data in relation to the natural world, performed predominantly by citizens, usually in collaboration with scientists and field experts. Citizen scientists work with scientists or the scientific framework to achieve scientific goals.
There are many citizen science projects in Australia - see below for some of them.
Platy-project
Sunday 1 October
The Stanthorpe Field Naturalists are heading to Boonoo Boonoo National Park to try spot a platypus!
Platypus Hole on the Boonoo Boonoo River has regular platypus sightings. Come and join in the Australian Conservation Foundation's annual "Platy-Project" Survey, and help provide data for this declining species. Hosted by the Stanthorpe Field Naturalists.
Aussie Bird Count
Even severe floods and constant deluges weren’t enough to deter a growing flock of Australians from participating in the 2022 Aussie Bird Count, held last October.
Despite record rains and floods over much of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, over 77,000 people across Australia braved the conditions to be part of the nation’s largest citizen science project.
“Between us, we recorded more than 3.9 million birds of 620 different species,” said Sean Dooley, BirdLife Australia’s National Public Affairs Manager.
“It’s an incredible testament to the diversity of birdlife we have in our own backyard here in Australia.”
16-22 October, 2023
Just spend 20 minutes in your favourite outdoor space and tell us about the birds you see during that period.
You can submit your results using the app or the web form.
There’s a built-in “bird finder” tool to help you identify birds you’re unsure of.
You can count as many times as you want. Every count helps.
FrogID
Australia’s frogs need your help
Take part in Australia’s biggest frog count!
Our frogs are under threat from habitat loss, disease and climate change. Record frog calls with the FrogID app for our scientists to listen and identify and help provide valuable data for the protection and conservation of frogs.
Download the free app and register now.
FrogID Week
FrogID Week is Australia’s Biggest Frog Count, held annually for Australians to help record frog calls through the free FrogID app, as a measurement of frog health and distribution around the nation. It aims to monitor frog distributions over time, helping us to understand how frogs and their ecosystems are responding to a changing planet. From croaks and barks, to whistles and bleats, every frog species makes a unique sound. Using the free FrogID app, you can record the frogs calling around you and help us count Australia’s frogs. Join our growing team of citizen scientists during FrogID Week Friday 3 to Sunday 12 November 2023.
EchidnaCSI
Help the monotreme detectives at EchidnaCSI.
Echidnas are found across Australia and although they are just one of the two monotremes found in Australia (other being the platypus) there is still relatively littel known abot them. Help the team at EchidnaCSI find out more about these amazing and spoky creatures. Download Echidna CSI
Atlas of Living Australia
Open access to Australia’s biodiversity data.
The Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) is a collaborative, digital, open infrastructure that pulls together Australian biodiversity data from multiple sources, making it accessible and reusable.
The ALA helps to create a more detailed picture of Australia’s biodiversity for scientists, policy makers, environmental planners and land managers, industry and the general public, and enables them to work more efficiently.