16 Items Tagged

Citizen Science

Meet the Algae and Other Microbes in Your Neighborhood

All you need is a jar of local water and a microscope—you may even find new species. Welcome to Algae Obscura.

Julia Van Etten August 15, 2023

By 1994, the seaweed had died back on Mearns Rock and mussels were elbowing in.

Alaskans Have Photographed This Boulder for 33 Years

In 1990, a scientist began visually documenting Prince William Sound’s recovery from the Exxon Valdez oil spill. When funding ran out, volunteers took over.

J. Besl June 12, 2023

Pando, called simply The Tree by those who know it best—and love it most—is a single organism that covers an area larger than 100 football fields.

Pando As You've Never Seen It Before

The Utah aspen grove is one of the world's oldest and largest living things. It's finally getting its close-up.

Amiee Maxwell May 16, 2023

The author, right, and slime mold expert Pam Janszen add water to <em>Triquetrella californica</em> and watch the desiccated moss rehydrate and unfurl.

One Island's Effort to Count Every Species, and Make Every Species Count

Scientists, residents, and visitors have banded together for a massive biodiversity survey of British Columbia's Galiano Island.

Marina Wang August 1, 2022

A volunteer with the reforestation effort walks through a woodland near Amman. Today, only about one percent of Jordan is forested.

To Resurrect Jordan's Lost Forests, Plant a Seed in Hearts and Minds

Environmentalists see small reforestation pilot sites around the capital of Amman as a first step to a greener future.

Jason Ruffin April 7, 2022

How much snow has fallen in your neighborhood? It always seems like more when you're shoveling it.

The Surprising Science of Measuring Snowfall

When a winter storm wallops a region, an army of volunteers springs into action—but exact totals can be tricky.

Bill Syrett January 27, 2022

California newts (pictured) and rough-skinned newts face danger when they travel from their wooded habitat in the Santa Cruz Mountains to Lexington Reservoir, where they breed.

Can Citizen Scientists Prevent Another Pacific Newt Massacre?

Cars are annihilating the tiny amphibians.

Shoshi Parks January 11, 2022

A honeycomb moray eel, stranded by the receding tide at Mahalaxmi, was later released into a nearby intertidal pool. The rocky shoreline has since been developed into part of a coastal road.

Discovering the Unexpected Wonder of Mumbai's Coastal Wildlife

Photographer Sarang Naik is reintroducing his hometown to its rich biodiversity, from glowing corals to dazzling sea slugs.

Gemma Tarlach January 10, 2022

Welcome back, Brood X!

Scientists Want Your Help Stalking Billions of Cicadas

The Brood X bonanza is almost here, and ecologists will have a lot of work—and bugs—on their hands.

Jessica Leigh Hester April 22, 2021

Eupelmid wasp from the genus <em>Metapelma</em>.

L.A.'s Insects Are Hairy, Iridescent, and Crazy Photogenic

The creatures are ready for their close-ups—in the name of getting a better handle on biodiversity in the bustling city.

Jessica Leigh Hester June 30, 2020

Scientists Need Your Sourdough to Solve a Microbial Mystery

For North Carolina researchers, every starter is more data.

Hannah Thomasy June 1, 2020

The Francisco Morazan is an off-shore wreck visible from South Manitou Island.

Michigan Archaeologists Want Your Help Scouting for Shipwrecks

Look, document, but please don't touch.

Jessica Leigh Hester May 21, 2020

TOC identified the Mihalyfi apple among those sent by the Lost Apple Project.

'Extinct' Apple Varieties Are Actually Everywhere

10 were discovered over just the last few months.

Matthew Taub April 17, 2020

Home by yourself? You may as well make friends.

A Field Guide to the Miniature Menagerie Inside Your Own Home

And on your face.

Jessica Leigh Hester May 25, 2023

Welcome, neighbor!

This Is a Great Time to Busy Yourself With Bees

You can invite them over by planting some native plants on your deck or fire escape.

Jessica Leigh Hester April 2, 2020

There are billions and billions of galaxies out there, beyond our own.

How to Help Scientists Without Leaving Home

Gaze out the window or at your computer, in the name of data.

Jessica Leigh Hester March 25, 2020