How to be a citizen scientist: 5 Michigan projects to join

Everyday Michiganders can help with research that impacts the state thanks to community, or citizen, science projects, which typically involve nonscientists in the processes, methods and standards of research, with the intended goal of advancing scientific knowledge or application.

Through MSU Extension and community science initiatives, Michiganders across the state are stepping up to contribute directly to scientific research that helps protect Michigan’s lakes, waterways, forests, wildlife and biodiversity.

Here’s how you can become a citizen scientist through MSU-led projects:

Bumble Bee Atlas

The Bumble Bee Atlas collects data on bumble bee communities and habitat assessments. Between March and October of 2024, 419 bumble bees were observed in 31 counties across Michigan, including 14 species.

Volunteers go through training to learn various methods, including bumble bee identification and biology, bumble bee conservation and introduction to the Michigan Bumble Bee Inventory Community Science Initiative.

Then, citizen scientists head out to the field to find and collect data on bumble bee communities.

Learn more about the atlas.

> Read more: How Spartans and citizen scientists team up to protect Michigan’s natural spaces

Osprey Adopt-A-Nest

Ospreys — birds of prey who depend on fish — are a valuable indicator species for monitoring the health of large rivers and other water bodies. The best time to monitor osprey nesting is spring through late summer.

For those interested in becoming observers, the program asks participants to visit a nest three times throughout the summer and then report observations online using the Osprey Nest Survey.

If you are interested in monitoring a nest, you can learn more at the Michigan Natural Features Inventory website.

Midwest Invasive Species Information Network

The Midwest Invasive Species Information Network is a regional effort to develop and provide early detection and response resources for invasive species. Its goal is to assist both experts and citizen scientists in the detection and identification of invasive species in support of successful management.

Volunteers can train on the identification training modules at the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network web page.

Learn more about the invasive species network.

MiCorps

There are over 11,000 lakes and 36,000 miles of streams in Michigan, and the team at Michigan Clean Water Corps, or MiCorps, is committed to helping Michiganders protect them. The data collected by volunteers helps the MiCorps team, too.

Volunteers participating in the Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program observe water quality, shoreline habitat and invasive and native aquatic plants to document changes in lake quality over time. MiCorps provides volunteers with detailed training in scientific monitoring protocols and ongoing expert support, as well as manages an online public database and generates annual summary reports for each lake enrolled.

Learn more about MiCorps volunteering.

Vernal Pool Patrol

Over 500 volunteers participate in the Vernal Pool Patrol program, identifying, mapping, monitoring and providing data on vernal pools across the state to assist MSU researchers.

Members of the Vernal Pool Patrol program learn how to follow a standard protocol to help identify and map locations of vernal pools within their local communities through classroom instruction and data collection in the field.

Learn more about training resources for the Vernal Pool Patrol.

Read more about community science at MSU.