Meet Jim Christianson. When Jim first purchased a home on Round Lake, he visited the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to learn more about the lake. During this visit 25 years ago, Jim heard about the MPCA's water monitoring program and signed up to help. At 87 years old, he’s still at it today!

Jim is part of a growing group of volunteers who observe and record information about the natural world, in collaboration with professional scientists.

Citizen science, also known as crowdsourced science, volunteer monitoring, or networked science,  is the public involvement in inquiry and discovery of new scientific knowledge. Typically, public involvement is in data collection, analysis, or reporting.

Citizen science programs are designed for people of all ages and backgrounds and can be a great way to teach kids and adults about giving back, taking care of the Earth, and paying attention to the world. Did you know that people who volunteer are generally happier and healthier, too?

We are inviting you to join a citizen science program. Yes, you can do this! Most programs have easy methods and good training. A variety of programs are described below. When choosing a program, consider the location—some can even be done in your yard—and frequency of data collection.

Not surprisingly, the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” provides many water-related citizen science programs.

The MPCA’s own Citizen Lake & Stream Monitoring Program involves 1,300 volunteers in water clarity measurements. Tracking water clarity is like monitoring your blood pressure—it can serve as a basic indicator of health. Identifying changes in water clarity requires years of data, and wouldn’t be possible for many Minnesota lakes and streams if it wasn’t for the monitoring efforts of citizen scientists.

If you love water and weather, check out these programs:

• Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network
• International Water Institute’s Red River Watch
• Minnesota DNR Lake Level Monitoring
• Minnesota Phenology Network
• MPCA Citizen Lake Monitoring Program
• MPCA Citizen Stream Monitoring Program
• Stream Health Evaluation Program (SHEP)
• Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP)

Tracking animals tells us about their migration patterns and worldwide distribution. For example, in 1975, citizen scientists in Chaska tagged a monarch butterfly that was eventually found overwintering in central Mexico. This was the first conclusive proof that monarchs migrate thousands of miles each year, and eventually led to habitat protection across their migration route. Yeah, citizen science!

Tracking animal populations is also critical to their protection. Through the MN DNR’s annual Frog and Toad Survey, citizen observations have identified the endangered Blanchard’s cricket frog in Winona County, and documented the devastating spread of bull frogs to new habitats in the state.

If wildlife is your thing, here are some Minnesota programs to consider:

• DNR Bluebird Trail Monitors
• DNR LoonWatcher Survey
• DNR Sharp-tailed Grouse Research
• DNR Trout Lily Research
• DNR Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program
• Great Lakes Worm Watch & The Northwoods Vernal Pool Initiative
• Hawk Ridge Western Great Lakes Owl Monitoring
• iFish Minnesota Smartphone App
• Minnesota BioBlitz
• Minnesota Bumble Bee Survey
• Minnesota Dragonfly Society
• Minnesota Wildlife Tracking Project
• Monarch Lab
• Monarch Larva Monitoring Project
• Wasp Watcher