Citizen Science

Citizen Science logo

You don’t need to be a scientist to participate in science. Throughout history, important discoveries about the natural world have been made by citizen scientists—like you—with a keen eye for observation and a passion for nature.

Join one of the NHMU’s exciting citizen science projects dedicated to exploring and recording Utah’s biodiversity. Scroll down to see active projects at NHMU. 

Do you have a keen sense of observation and a curiosity about the world around you? Become a citizen scientist! Join a Museum Citizen Science Coordinator to learn more about citizen science projects and how you can contribute to NHMU’s ongoing and active research projects:

NHMU Citizen Science Projects

Neighborhood Naturalists

Neighborhood Naturalist engages citizen science volunteers—people like you—in discovering nature living all around us. Data collected helps guide the research and restoration efforts of local scientists and land managers.

Utah Fox Squirrels

Fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) are new to Utah. Their arrival offers a unique opportunity to study the ecology of an introduced species. Help NHMU learn more about the fox squirrel as it spreads across Utah!

Western Firefly Project: A Community Science Initiative

Did you know there are fireflies in the Western U.S.? Learn how scientists at the Natural History Museum of Utah and BYU are tracking firefly populations in Utah and beyond, using the help of citizen scientists around the state. 

Help The Museum Go Digital!

Volunteers are needed to transcribe scientific information, including hand-written field notes, paper catalogs, specimen labels, and more.

Foothill Nature Walks

We’re offering a series of free, one-hour guided walks along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail to explore the flora and fauna of the season with experts!

Firebugs of Utah

European firebugs (Pyrrhocoris apterus) first appeared in Salt Lake City in approximately 2008. Help NHMU track the dispersal of this new arrival.

NOAA Heat Mapping Campaign

This summer, communities across Salt Lake City will hit the streets to collect data about the distribution of heat in urban environments, as part of a regional effort to map where people are most at risk during extreme heat waves. See how you can get involved!