Citizen Science: Science for Everyone!
HOW EVERY DAY PEOPLE POWER DISCOVERY
What if the next big scientific breakthrough didn’t come from a lab—but from your backyard?
That’s the promise of citizen science: a growing movement where people like you—students, hikers, photographers, teachers, families—contribute real data to answer big scientific questions. From tracking stars to spotting salamanders, citizen science connects communities to research in powerful, hands-on ways.
What Is Citizen Science?
At its core, citizen science is public participation in scientific research. Volunteers collect, classify, and sometimes even analyze data that scientists use to study the natural world. These projects are designed so that anyone, regardless of scientific background, can make a meaningful contribution.
Snapshot NY is one of many citizen science projects helping to turn local curiosity into state-wide impact. By setting up trail cameras across New York State, volunteers are helping researchers monitor mammal populations and understand how wildlife is responding to things like climate change, urbanization, hunting pressures, and habitat fragmentation.
Why It Works
You might wonder: can non-scientists really produce reliable data? The answer is a resounding yes—when done thoughtfully. Many projects use simple, standardized methods and easy-to-use tools to ensure quality and consistency. In some cases, expert scientists review the data after it’s submitted; in others, machine learning models help identify patterns and flag anomalies.
What makes citizen science so powerful isn’t just the number of volunteers—it’s where they are. Scientists can’t be everywhere at once, but with the help of citizen scientists, data can be gathered across vast regions, diverse ecosystems, and time scales that would otherwise be impossible.
Real Science, Real Impact
The contributions of citizen scientists aren’t just appreciated—they’re essential.
Here are just a few examples of how citizen science is shaping our understanding of the world:
eBird, run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, has revolutionized bird population tracking with over 1 billion observations submitted by volunteers.
Zooniverse volunteers have helped identify galaxies, transcribe historical documents, and even classify wildlife images from around the world.
FrogWatch USA uses volunteers’ frog call recordings to monitor amphibian populations—key indicators of environmental health.
Closer to home, Snapshot NY is building a unique picture of mammal life across the state—from the forests of the Adirondacks to the backyards of Long Island. Your trail camera photos could help document elusive species, detect range shifts, or highlight areas where wildlife and humans cross paths.
More Than Just Data
Citizen science isn’t just about the numbers—it’s about connection. It connects people to the places they live, to the species they share space with, and to a larger purpose. It sparks curiosity, builds scientific literacy, and empowers people to protect what they care about.
Get Involved
Want to be part of something bigger than yourself? Join Snapshot NY or explore other citizen science projects happening near you. Whether you have a smartphone, a backyard, or just an interest in nature, there’s a way to contribute.
Together, we’re not just collecting data—we’re building a movement. One observation, one photo, one curious moment at a time.
Ready to get involved?
Apply for a trail camera grid cell with Snapshot NY and help us document New York’s wild side. Your observations could help shape the future of wildlife conservation.