With warm weather approaching, many scientific and conservation organizations in Northern Colorado are appealing to volunteers to help with data collection. While aiding in important research is the goal, summer fun is also a bonus.

The city of Fort Collins is training citizen scientists to survey birds, butterflies and bees, tracking the data as part of its Nature in the City Biodiversity Project. It’s aimed at ensuring that every Fort Collins resident lives within a ten minute walk to a natural area. Perhaps more importantly, it tracks wildlife to make sure that development isn’t interfering with their habitats.

The city is also working with a group of Colorado State University researchers who are looking at bees in the area. There are more than 400 different kinds of bees in Larimer County alone, and citizen scientists will help collect data on them.

While the city is full up for volunteers this summer, you can still learn the ropes of bird and butterfly surveying with their handbook.

Fort Collins isn’t the only place where regular folks are contributing to scientific research.

The Butterfly Pavilion

Each summer, the pavilion dispatches more than 60 volunteers to monitor patterns in butterfly populations. In its third year, the program was modeled after a similar effort in Illinois. Every year the program grows, collecting valuable data for conservationists.

Jim Kravitz / Flickr - Creative Commons

The Front Range Pika Project

Members of the “Pika Patrol” collect data on the American pika, a relative of rabbits and hares that’s native to Colorado. It’s a threatened species and volunteers play a vital role in helping researchers determine the effects of climate change on the pika. The program is a collaboration between the Rocky Mountain Wild and the Denver Zoo.

Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network

Started at Colorado State University in 1998, CoCoRaHS has gone national. Citizen scientists report weather data from their own backyards, lending data to educational efforts, research projects and just for plain curiosity. Anyone can join at any time. Bonus fun fact: CoCoRaHS is now collecting data in the Bahamas.

National Institute Of Invasive Species Science

Although housed in Fort Collins, NIIS collects data across the United States. Anyone can participate in collecting data at any time, and NIIS even has an app to make it easier.

National Phenology Network

Data collected by Nature’s Notebook observers helps predict wildfires, droughts and floods. It also helps inform everything from scientific research and conservation to harvesting and irrigation.

Bird Conservancy Of The Rockies

Attention bird watchers: time to use your powers for good. The conservancy uses citizen scientists to collect data on bald eagles, hawks, owls and more in order to measure the health of bird populations in Colorado. Several different programs are offered throughout the year.

More Ways To Be A Citizen Scientist

Websites like CitScience and SciStarter allow you to search citizen science opportunities year round. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology also keeps track of projects across the country. Project Noah has a handy app to help you identify plants and wildlife, and also stores that data for scientific researchers. The U.S. Forest Service also has several ways for nature lovers to contribute to conservation efforts and scientific study, even by doing something as simple as drawing a map of your back yard.

There are no shortage of ways to contribute to scientific research while also enjoying the great outdoors this summer. No need to wear a lab coat with your hiking boots.