Citizen science allows everyday people to contribute directly to real scientific research by collecting observations, recording wildlife sightings, monitoring habitats, or sharing environmental data. Hunters, anglers, birdwatchers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts often become some of the most valuable contributors because they spend so much time in the field.

In Alberta, citizen science plays an important role in tracking wildlife populations, invasive species, fish health, migration patterns, and habitat changes. Programs involving trail cameras, waterfowl counts, chronic wasting disease monitoring, and bird surveys all rely heavily on public participation.

What makes citizen science so valuable is the number of people involved. Scientists and conservation agencies cannot be everywhere at once, but thousands of Albertans spread across the landscape can help identify changes in wildlife populations, habitat conditions, migration timing, and invasive species threats long before problems become widespread. That data helps biologists make better management decisions, identify emerging problems early, and improve conservation efforts.

Citizen science also helps people feel connected to the land and wildlife they care about. It gives hunters, anglers, and outdoor users a direct role in conservation, builds a greater understanding of how ecosystems change over time, and helps ensure Alberta’s natural resources remain healthy for future generations.

By participating in these programs, everyday Albertans can directly contribute to meaningful conservation and wildlife research. Hunters, anglers, hikers, birdwatchers, and anyone spending time outdoors can all help collect valuable information by simply sharing field observations. In many cases, these programs provide researchers and biologists with far more data than they could ever gather on their own.

Get Involved

Across Alberta, there are many opportunities for people to get involved. Here are just a few to get you started.

ABHuntLog: This feature on the iHunter app is one of Alberta’s more unique citizen science programs because it is built specifically for hunters and outdoor users. Developed through a partnership between Alberta Conservation Association, Métis Nation of Alberta, and the iHunter app, the program allows participants to record wildlife sightings, harvest observations, and time spent in the field. These contributions help support biodiversity monitoring and improve our understanding of wildlife across Alberta.

Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI): They offer several programs involving trail cameras, acoustic monitoring, and wildlife tracking projects that help researchers better understand species distribution and habitat use across the province.

Alberta Lake Management Society: This organization hosts programs like LakeWatch and LakeKeepers to help monitor lake health, water quality, aquatic invasive species, and environmental conditions.

Alberta Volunteer Amphibian Monitoring Program (AVAMP): Volunteers report frog and toad sightings and breeding calls during spring and summer, helping biologists monitor population trends and ecosystem health. Because amphibians are highly sensitive to environmental change, their populations can provide early warning signs of habitat problems.

Bumble Bee Watch and PlantWatch: These pollinator monitoring programs are growing in popularity. They allow people to contribute observations using simple smartphone apps and online reporting systems.

CitSci Alberta: This hub is one of the best starting points for citizen science as it connects people with projects focused on wildlife monitoring, invasive species, wetlands, fish populations, pollinators, amphibians, and habitat health.

eBird: For hunters and bird enthusiasts, this useful tool helps record sightings of waterfowl, upland birds, raptors, and migration activity, helping biologists monitor long-term population trends and seasonal movements.

EDDMapS: Anglers and boaters can play an important role by reporting invasive species sightings through this tool, helping the Alberta Invasive Species Council (AISC) protect Alberta’s lakes and rivers. The app is commonly used to report invasive plants, zebra and quagga mussels, invasive fish species, and other environmental concerns. Because outdoor users are often the first to detect these threats in the field, public participation provides valuable early-warning information.

iNaturalist: This popular app and website allow users to photograph and identify wildlife, plants, insects, fungi, and aquatic species while contributing to biodiversity databases.

May Bird Count and Christmas Bird Count: These programs provide important information on bird populations and environmental changes throughout the province.

Nature Alberta - Citizen Science: This is an excellent resource that lists dozens of Alberta citizen science projects involving birds, mammals, amphibians, plants, insects, lakes, and biodiversity monitoring.

WildCAM: This website lists wildlife camera citizen science projects involving mammals, birds, habitat monitoring, and ecosystem research.