citizen science

Arctic residents are using mobile apps to record local observations such as ice conditions, weather and wildlife, which researchers convert into usable climate data. The approach combines Indigenous and local knowledge with digital tools, helping scientists fill gaps in a vast, sparsely monitored region where instrumental coverage is thin and change is happening fast.

The James Webb Space Telescope, operated by NASA, ESA and CSA, has released one of its largest panoramic images to date: the IC 348 star-forming region, filled with hundreds of young stars and brown dwarfs. Astronomy enthusiasts say the observation offers a valuable window into the earliest stages of star and planet formation.

RNZ is featuring a front-page article on the growing popularity of birding among young people in New Zealand. Young birders are becoming significant contributors to citizen science platforms eBird and iNaturalist, with one enthusiast quoted saying he does not mind getting wet, rained on or muddy in pursuit of birds. Readers online are praising the coverage and celebrating the trend.

A new study from University of Connecticut researchers points to strong demand for volunteer help in botanical research, calling on plant enthusiasts to contribute observations and data through citizen science projects. Researchers say amateur naturalists can fill gaps that professional scientists cannot cover alone, particularly in tracking plant species and biodiversity change.

NASA currently lists 49 citizen science projects that anyone can join, with no citizenship required. The projects, also called participatory science, let volunteers and amateurs contribute to real research, and participants have already helped make thousands of important scientific discoveries. The list is being shared widely as an invitation for the general public to get involved in space and earth science.

The Northwest Winter Raptor Survey Project is preparing to highlight 22 years of community science, in which volunteers have helped track wintering birds of prey across the Pacific Northwest. The milestone celebrates the long-running effort's contributions to understanding raptor populations and the role of citizen volunteers in regional conservation research.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle examines hawk watching, exploring how observers identify and track raptors, particularly during seasonal migration. The piece looks at the methods and expertise involved in counting and studying hawks as they pass through watch sites, offering readers insight into a pastime grounded in careful observation and bird science.