Get Involved With Community Science!

 

What is community science?

Community science is a rapidly growing field that engages the entire community for scientific research. Anyone can engage in community science. There is no academic prerequisites, just training for individual programs.

Community science volunteers collect or analyze data that can be used by researchers, policy makers, and more. Some programs are seasonal. Most have flexible scheduling, which allows full-time students or others with limited volunteer availability to participate.

The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History is partnered with several community science projects that align with our mission of discovery, wonder, and stewardship of the natural world. For questions, reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator.

Get Started!

You can learn more about our community science partnership programs with the links below.

Black Oystercatcher Monitoring

The Black Oystercatcher (BLOY) Monitoring Project studies a charismatic local shorebird to understand the health of the rocky shore environment.

We are recruiting for BLOY Volunteers! 2024 training dates have been set. This training will happen via Zoom. To register, email our Volunteer Coordinator, who will send you the Zoom link. Pick either date: you do not need to attend both.

  1. Friday April 19 2024, 10 am - 12 pm

  2. Saturday April 20 2024, 1 - 3 pm

LiMPETS

The Long-term Monitoring Program and Experiential Training for Students was developed to teach students how to conduct science by monitoring the coastal ecosystems of our marine sanctuaries. Volunteers help our LiMPETS program manager deliver rocky intertidal and sandy beach monitoring programs for students, grades 6-12.

Watershed Guardians

This is a student-led community science program, for middle school and above. Watershed Guardians lets students study the health of our local Carmel and Salinas Watersheds. Students (with volunteer assistance) collect and record real-time data on the alkalinity, salinity, pH, temperature, turbidity, and more.

Marine Protected Area Watch

MPA (Marine Protected Area) Watch monitors how people use our protected coastlines and oceans, both recreationally and commercially. There are survey sites all around the Monterey Peninsula, from Asilomar to the Del Monte Beach. Walking the beach for science — what could be better?

Western Monarch Count

The Western Monarch Count tracks the population of the beautiful and endangered Western monarch butterfly as it overwinters along the California coast.