Citizen scientists are filling research gaps created by the pandemic
COVID-19 kept many scientists from doing field research in 2020, which means that important records will have data gaps. But volunteers are helping to plug some of those holes.
Feb. 3, 2021 • ~10 min
Cities can help migrating birds on their way by planting more trees and turning lights off at night
Cities are danger zones for migrating birds, but there are ways to help feathered visitors pass through more safely
Jan. 15, 2021 • ~9 min
How do archaeologists know where to dig?
Archaeologists used to dig primarily at sites that were easy to find thanks to obvious visual clues. But technology – and listening to local people – plays a much bigger role now.
Dec. 4, 2020 • ~10 min
Want to teach kids about nature? Insects can help
Insects are plentiful and inexpensive. Even when children aren't attending school in person, they can learn from the encounters they have with insects outside.
Oct. 29, 2020 • ~5 min
Four ways people stuck at home became armchair naturalists during lockdown
Citizen scientists have helped researchers track the changing environment during the pandemic.
June 17, 2020 • ~6 min
How Jeremy the lonely snail showed that two lefts make a right
Rare left-coiled shells in garden snails turn out to be a developmental accident not an inherited trait.
June 3, 2020 • ~5 min
Balloon releases have deadly consequences – we're helping citizen scientists map them
Releasing balloons at weddings and other celebrations is festive, until they break into pieces and become plastic pollution. A citizen science project is spotlighting the problem.
March 18, 2020 • ~8 min
Spring is arriving earlier across the US, and that's not always good news
Climate change has advanced the arrival of spring by as much as several weeks in some parts of the US. This can mean major crop losses and disconnects between species that need each other to thrive.
March 4, 2020 • ~7 min
It's OK to feed wild birds – here are some tips for doing it the right way
Millions of Americans feed wild birds, especially in winter and spring. Studies show that this can influence birds' health and behavior in surprising ways.
March 2, 2020 • ~8 min
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