Here you will find contact information for organizations that provide opportunities for youngsters or adults to get involved in scientific research on a volunteer basis. The list is organized alphabetically by study subject.

Air Quality
AMC Visibility Volunteers - Maine to Virginia
http://www.outdoors.org/conservation/mountainwatch/vizvols-how.cfm
AMC's Visibility Volunteers, or Viz Vols, document the air quality conditions on their hikes using a camera to document visibility (or lack of it from haze pollution) and the ozone levels with an ozone detector card. Viz Vols have, since the summer of 2003, taken over 200 air quality readings on hikes from Maine to Virginia. Scientists compile submitted data and post it to the AMC web site. The reports are used for public education, advocacy for improved air quality laws and regulations, and to interest media in air quality issues. Also at this site, you will also find on-line curriculum and background information about ozone and haze pollution. Links include Weather & Climate, Air Quality, Ecosystems, and Results & Reports.

Amphibians
Amphibian Monitoring Program - Maine
http://www.maineaudubon.org/conserve/citsci.shtml
Maine Audubon sponsors many citizen science opportunities throughout the state. Check their website to get the most up-to-date list. They also host migratory song bird and owl programs where you can watch scientists at work mist netting and banding birds. For more information about the banding programs call the Maine Audubon Staff Naturalist at 781-2330.

Frogwatch USA - USA
http://www.nwf.org/frogwatchUSA/
Frogwatch USA is a long-term frog and toad monitoring program managed by the National Wildlife Federation in partnership with the United States Geological Survey. Anyone can volunteer! You do not have to be a frog or a toad expert to make a contribution; all you need is an interest in frogs and toads. You can learn all you need to know to volunteer and sign-up on their website.

Aquatic
Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program - Maine
http://www.mainevolunteerlakemonitors.org
The Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program (VLMP) is one of the largest and oldest citizen-based lake monitoring programs in the country. Their Mission is to provide protection for the nearly 6,000 lakes in Maine through the acquisition of scientific data, and to raise public awareness about the extraordinary ecological, aesthetic and economic value of Maine's lakes and ponds. Volunteers come from all walks of life and are of all ages. Many have been with the program for over twenty years. Every summer, hundreds of certified volunteer lake monitors throughout the state collect valuable scientific data. Volunteers are asked to spend a minimum of 24 hours per year on a lake (monitoring May through September at two-week intervals), and must have access to a boat.

Vernal Pool Study - Brunswick, Maine
Adults, teens, and younger children in the company of an adult can become involved in this project to verify the location of vernal pools on Brunswick parks, public lands and perhaps even your own back yard! Visit the town planning office at 28 Federal Street to view the aerial photographs. Help verify the map site that interests you and get involved in a potential monitoring project. For more information call Vanessa Levesque, Natural Resources Planner for the Town of Brunswick at 725-6639.

Birds
Breeding Bird Surveys - Maine
http://www.maineaudubon.org/conserve/citsci.shtml
Maine Audubon sponsors many citizen science opportunities throughout the state. Check their website to get the most up-to-date list. They also host migratory song bird and owl programs where you can watch scientists at work mist netting and banding birds. For more information about the banding programs call the Maine Audubon Staff Naturalist at 781-2330.

Project FeederWatch - North America
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/
Cornell university manages an annual winter survey of birds that visit feeders November through early April. Adults, children, school classes, scouts, and other groups are encouraged to participate. Their website will provides all the information you'll need to sign-up and get started.

Butterflies
Monarch Watch - North America
http://www.monarchwatch.org/
This site by the University of Kansas Entomology Program provides a wealth of information about monarch butterflies and opportunities to get involved with monarch research. Included are tips for creating a butterfly garden and a monarch waystation, about raising monarchs, and how to join in on the monarch migration / tagging research. You’ll also find a gallery of monarch photos, drawings and essays.

Climate Change
AMC Mountain Plant Monitors - New Hampshire
http://www.outdoors.org/conservation/mountainwatch/mtplant.cfm
AMC is looking for volunteers to help watch certain plants every year near their facilities in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Over time AMC will determine how plants in the mountains may be responding to trends in average annual air temperature and other weather related variables. Hikers will be able to submit observations and hence take an active role in the collection of scientific data. Observations made by these citizen scientists will create a baseline of information that will help detect and document ecological impacts of a changing climate.

Conservation Research
Earthwatch Institute - Worldwide
http://www.earthwatch.org
Earthwatch is a world leader in the field of experiential education providing opportunities in the field and on-line for volunteers to broaden their understanding of sustainability and support of conservation research. There is no experience necessary to be involved and hundreds of teams worldwide that need support.
Visit the Earthwatch website or call 800-776-0188 for more information.

Jocelyn Hubbell's log from the field from her Earthwatch fellowship (March 16-24, 2005) to help research Florida's endangered sea turtles.

Wiscasset High School math teacher Karen Abbey will travel to Isles of Shoals in May to research aggressive interactions between the Great Black-backed gull and the Herring gull, analyze the increasing gull population and the resulting impacts to islands and coastal areas.
Karen's log from the field from her Earthwatch fellowship (May 9-13, 2005).

DNA
The Genographic Project
https://www3.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/
Courtesy of National Geographic, IBM and the Waitt Family Foundation you can now explore your genetic lineage while helping to support the research of geneticist Dr. Spencer Wells. DNA analysis includes a depiction of your ancient ancestors and an interactive map tracing your genetic lineage around the world and through the ages. Cost is $100. Visit the Genographic Project website for complete details. The website includes a genetics overview, an atlas of the human journey, a section for educators, and project updates.

Frogs
Amphibian Monitoring Program - Maine
http://www.maineaudubon.org/conserve/citsci.shtml
Maine Audubon sponsors many citizen science opportunities throughout the state. Check their website to get the most up-to-date list. They also host migratory song bird and owl programs where you can watch scientists at work mist netting and banding birds. For more information about the banding programs call the Maine Audubon Staff Naturalist at 781-2330.

Frogwatch USA - USA
http://www.nwf.org/frogwatchUSA/
Frogwatch USA is a long-term frog and toad monitoring program managed by the National Wildlife Federation in partnership with the United States Geological Survey. Anyone can volunteer! You do not have to be a frog or a toad expert to make a contribution; all you need is an interest in frogs and toads. You can learn all you need to know to volunteer and sign-up on their website.

Lobsters
The Lobster Conservancy - Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts
http://www.lobsters.org
The Lobster Conservancy (TLC) trains volunteers in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts in a rigorous scientific methodology to census intertidal lobster nursery sites as part of the Juvenile Lobster Monitoring Program. Volunteers census once per month April through November.

Plants
Jeepers Peepers - Plant Watch - Maine
for primary school children
http://www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/doceducation/jeepers/
The Jeepers Peepers Spring Watch program was developed in 2000 by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to help students track the coming of spring. Geared towards primary school children, Jeepers Peepers has focused on observing Robins, Dandelions, Spring Peepers, and Maple Budburst. The success of the program has inspired this more extensive list of plants to observe each spring.

Plant Watch - Maine - for secondary school students & adults
http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/plantwatch/
Plant Watch is intended for a larger audience, including secondary school students and adults.
When you sign up as a volunteer you will receive a free plant guide.

NOTE: For those outside of Maine, check with your state’s Department of Environmental Protection or Cooperative Extension service to find out if they have a similar program.

Turtles
Earthwatch Institute - Worldwide
http://www.earthwatch.org
Earthwatch is a world leader in the field of experiential education providing opportunities in the field and on-line for volunteers to broaden their understanding of sustainability and support of conservation research. There is no experience necessary to be involved and hundreds of teams worldwide that need support.
Visit the Earthwatch website or call 800-776-0188 for more information.

Jocelyn Hubbell's log from the field from her Earthwatch fellowship to help research Florida's endangered sea turtles.

Vernal Pools
What are vernal pools? They are generally small bodies of water formed fromspringtime snow melt and rain. They are fish-free and provide safe havens for developing frogs and salamanders.

Vernal Pool Study - Brunswick, Maine
Adults, teens, and younger children in the company of an adult can become involved in this project to verify the location of vernal pools on Brunswick parks, public lands and perhaps even your own back yard! Visit the town planning office at 28 Federal Street to view the aerial photographs. Help verify the map site that interests you and get involved in a potential monitoring project. For more information call Vanessa Levesque, Natural Resources Planner for the Town of Brunswick at 725-6639.