#citizen science

[inaturalist-unofficial]

[iamthelowercase]

Hello, tumblr! I saw something on here the other day that worried me, so I decided to Do Science about it. But I can't do it alone: I need your help to build the dataset!

Here's what I need you to do:

If you see a post with a "mature content" label, and it's 2026, DM me a link to the post.

Yes, that's really it.

I am hoping to collect several thousand such posts, so that I have a decent sized dataset. I do not care what the post is about; if it's labeled as "mature content", I want to add it to my dataset.

If I get 10,000 posts in my dataset before August 31st 2026, I will post my preliminary findings then. I won't feel comfortable calling my findings "settled" before 2027, unless I get over 50,000 posts.

[reasonsforhope]

If you're feeling anxious or depressed about the climate and want to do something to help right now, from your bed, for free...

Start helping with citizen science projects

Explainer: what is citizen science?

Public participation in science is increasing, and citizen science has a central part in this. It is a contribution by the public to researc

What's a citizen science project? Basically, it's crowdsourced science. In this case, crowdsourced climate science, that you can help with!

You don't need qualifications or any training besides the slideshow at the start of a project. There are a lot of things that humans can do way better than machines can, even with only minimal training, that are vital to science - especially digitizing records and building searchable databases

Like labeling trees in aerial photos so that scientists have better datasets to use for restoration.

Or counting cells in fossilized plants to track the impacts of climate change.

Or digitizing old atmospheric data to help scientists track the warming effects of El Niño.

Or counting penguins to help scientists better protect them.

Those are all on one of the most prominent citizen science platforms, called Zooniverse, but there are a ton of others, too.

Oh, and btw, you don't have to worry about messing up, because several people see each image. Studies show that if you pool the opinions of however many regular people (different by field), it matches the accuracy rate of a trained scientist in the field.

--

I spent a lot of time doing this when I was really badly injured and housebound, and it was so good for me to be able to HELP and DO SOMETHING, even when I was in too much pain to leave my bed. So if you are chronically ill/disabled/for whatever reason can't participate or volunteer for things in person, I highly highly recommend.

Next time you wish you could do something - anything - to help

Remember that actually, you can. And help with some science.

[hope-for-the-planet]

Five bird species missing for decades were found in 2025 thanks to citizen birders | The Optimist Daily

Five bird species not seen in the wild for between 11 and 20 years were documented in 2025, cutting the global lost birds list from 163 to 1

From the article:

In February 2026, two French birders in Chad photographed a rusty bush lark. The species had not been recorded in 94 years. It was the most dramatic entry in a year of rediscoveries that have brought the Lost Birds List from 163 species down to 120 since 2022. The list tracks birds not photographed, recorded, or genetically detected for at least a decade. It is maintained by the Search for Lost Birds project, a partnership between the American Bird Conservancy, Re:wild, and BirdLife International. John Mittermeier, the project’s director, describes it as an “early warning system” for species that might “potentially slip between the cracks” of slower, more formal conservation assessments. All five 2025 rediscoveries came from Southeast Asia and the Pacific, and all were made by individual birders and photographers, not formal research teams.

[dandelionsresilience]

Dandelion News - April 22-28

If you like these weekly compilations, please consider tipping me at $kaybarr1735 or check out my Dandelion Doodles!

1. Citizen science helps reconnect Singapore treetops for elusive leaf-eating langurs

“[… As] treetop specialists, langurs depend on continuous canopy cover to travel to find mates and forage for the variety of fruits, leaves and flowers that constitute their diet. [… V]olunteers have helped scientists map how langurs move through and use the urban landscape in and around the reserve, [… and] planted several safe natural corridors around the reserve with trees and shrubs eaten by the langurs[….]”

2. Dems pass "profound" law to protect trans kids who change their names

“Colorado’s Senate Bill 18, “Legal Protections for Dignity of Minors,” simply makes it so that starting July 1, when anyone who is under 18 years old petitions for a name change, […] the petition will not be part of the public record and cannot be collected through searches or data harvesting. […] “It gives children the safety and dignity they deserve, and it treats their private life with the same care we afford in other sensitive cases.””

3. Three Central Asian countries jointly building 2,000 MW hydropower plant

“Three Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan – are set to launch a joint hydropower plant with a capacity of nearly 2,000 MW[...,] enough to power up to 1.5 million homes. [...] Kyrgyzstan is also developing solar and wind power projects with a combined capacity of 6,050 MW. [...] In addition, Uzbekistan is developing waste-to-energy projects [... which will] generate more than 2.2 billion kWh of electricity.”

4. Brazil’s Blue-and-Yellow Macaws Return to Rio After 200 Years: ‘A dream come true’

“The organization handling the release is called Refauna, and having released the birds for a period of 15 days earlier this year, they’ve rounded them back into the aviary with plans for a possible permanent departure in September when food is plentiful. [... Once wild, the birds will] break open nuts and fruits to help trees better disperse their seed, something virtually all trees in the park rely on to reproduce.”

5. Bunnings extends zero up-front home solar and battery deal to three new states

“Hardware giant Bunnings is [… expanding availability of its] range of battery and/or solar options that are installed for free and then paid for in monthly installations over a 10-year subscription period. […] Bunnings says a sample of NSW Zelora households with an average battery size of 18 kWh cut their energy costs by an average of 25 per cent over a three-month summer period, with the monthly subscription costs included.”

April 15-21 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[stickyfrogs]

Pobblebonks Pobblebonking in Cheltenham tonight for FrogID Week 2025!

[great-and-small]

Apparently if you find a tagged Horseshoe crab and report it to Fish and Wildlife they’ll send you a certificate with info about your crab AND a pewter horseshoe crab pin! Keep your eyes peeled 👀

(Photo from the Nantucket Conservation Foundation)

[wachinyeya]

High School Students Drive California Salmon Conservation Through Innovative Program | Happy Eco News

California salmon conservation efforts are getting a boost from high school students who track, tag, and protect endangered species in local

by Grant Brown, Wed 16 Jul 2025

A unique high school program empowers students to play a vital role in California salmon conservation efforts. 

In an era when most teenagers are glued to their phones, Casa Grande High School students wade through cold creeks to save endangered fish. Their unusual after-school program strengthens California salmon conservation efforts while making waves in the scientific community.

The United Anglers program at Casa Grande High School in Sonoma County represents a new model for California salmon conservation. In 2023, these teenage conservationists tracked 33 salmon in local waterways, providing vital data to federal wildlife officials. Each fish represents a small victory in the ongoing battle to protect Northern California’s aquatic ecosystems.

These are not just casual observations. The students hold an official state permit to catch, tag, and release salmon. They record the location, size, and health condition of each fish—information that strengthens California salmon conservation by filling crucial gaps in scientific knowledge about the Petaluma watershed. This data helps shape conservation policies and wildlife management strategies.

Climate change and urban development pose growing threats to local fish populations. As rivers warm and change course, salmon struggle to find their way back to their breeding grounds. The students’ work helps scientists understand how these changes affect fish migration patterns. Their findings could influence future urban planning and environmental protection measures.

What started as a club for habitat cleanup and tree planting 42 years ago has evolved into a sophisticated conservation program. Today’s students handle complex responsibilities and contribute meaningful data to federal research efforts. Their work exemplifies the potential of youth-led environmental initiatives.

The students’ newest challenge focuses on steelhead trout, a threatened species that is becoming increasingly rare in local waters. After years of preparation, the program received federal permission to rescue and shelter juvenile steelhead from drying rivers—a significant achievement for a high school program. This new permit allows students to remove fish from threatened areas and care for them until conditions improve.

Daily responsibilities keep these young conservationists busy. They feed fish, clean massive tanks, monitor water temperatures, and transport heavy equipment for fieldwork. Many students find an unexpected passion in this hands-on conservation work, and the program often sparks lifelong interest in environmental protection.

The program’s success stems partly from the students’ fearless approach to fieldwork. They scramble up muddy riverbanks and wade through icy waters with enthusiasm. This practical experience prepares them for future environmental science and conservation biology careers.

Dan Hubacker, the science teacher overseeing the program, emphasizes its importance for steelhead trout conservation. He said adult steelhead have not been seen near the school in years. The students’ work could help prevent this species from disappearing from local waterways.

The program also creates strong bonds among participants. Students report finding their place in school through this shared mission. As they care for juvenile fish struggling to survive, these teenagers gain perspective on their journey to adulthood. Many form lasting friendships through their shared commitment to conservation.

Darren Howe, San Francisco Bay branch supervisor of NOAA Fisheries, praises the students’ contributions. Their ongoing data collection helps fill gaps in understanding fish populations, providing vital information for conservation decisions. This collaboration between students and federal agencies sets a promising example for future conservation efforts.

The success of United Anglers demonstrates the untapped potential of engaging young people in scientific research and environmental protection. These students collect valuable data while developing real-world skills in field research, data analysis, and wildlife management.

The program’s impact reaches beyond immediate conservation goals. It shows how environmental education can transform students into active champions of California salmon conservation. As climate change threatens more species, programs like United Anglers become increasingly crucial for protecting vulnerable wildlife.

The United Anglers program shows how young people can contribute to wildlife conservation. From its humble beginnings as a creek cleanup project, it has evolved into a model for hands-on environmental education. Their success has inspired similar initiatives across California, advancing salmon conservation through youth engagement and citizen science.