Participate in science with NOAA

More than 500,000 people volunteer to help us learn more about Earth, and you can too!

Would you like to collaborate with NOAA to learn more about the world around us? People who volunteer to participate in the scientific process, through what is known as citizen science or participatory science, have a long history of valuable contributions to research and monitoring.  

Volunteers Eva Lagdamen and Benjamin Sankar are standing in the waters of an estuary, wearing waders, and show the camera a small eel, approximately the length of a finger, that they found in the river.

Benjamin Sankar and Eva Lagdamen proudly show off one of the juvenile glass eels they found during a session with Hudson River Eel. (Image credit: Courtesy of Benjamin Sankar)

April is Citizen Science Month offsite link, the perfect time to celebrate the more than 564,000 dedicated volunteers who contribute about 1.3 million volunteer hours annually to help power our projects. From investigating heat impacts in urban areas to surveying marine debris and so much more, these volunteers dedicate their time and knowledge to support NOAA science and help us accomplish our mission.

Consider joining these volunteers and becoming a NOAA citizen scientist! See our volunteer opportunities to learn about opportunities to do so. With virtual and in-person projects to choose from, there’s something for everyone.

We are excited to host a Citizen Science Webinar series with the NOAA Central Library.  You can register for the webinar on “Getting Started in Citizen Science offsite link“ presented by NOAA Citizen Science Program Support Specialist Rebecca Funk on April 18 and view recordings of past webinars in this YouTube playlist.

Throughout the month, we will look back at stories volunteers told us about their participation and the impacts it has to science and their communities. Celebrate Citizen Science Month with us by following along on social media at @NOAAEducation.