Participatory Science

Recommended Participatory Science Programs

Water Quality Monitoring

Collect water quality data on a local lake, river or stream. Requires specialized training and coordination with South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Contact Anne Lewis (annelewis@sd-discovery.org) for more info.

iNaturalist - https://www.inaturalist.org/

Suggested Protocol

Make sure you that you are member of the SD Master Naturalist iNaturalist project. Check the list of Users under Project Requirements on the Overview page. If you are not, please email admin@sdvolunteernaturalists.org
Walk for an hour taking photos of wild and natural flora and fauna. Pets, landscaping, house plants, do not qualify.

Debris Tracker - https://debristracker.org/

Suggested Protocol

Take a trash bag to collect and document trash you found.
Make note of the number of items you found in the Notes section of your volunteer log.

GLOBE Observer Land Cover App - https://observer.globe.gov/do-globe-observer/land-cover

Suggested Protocol

Select a shoreline or riparian area to monitor seasonally. Please access only public property or private property with permission.
Visit this site four times a year to document seasonal hydrological changes
Make note that you were using the GLOBE Observer Land Cover app in the Notes section of your volunteer log.

Volunteer Scientists are liable for their own safety and well-being while doing activities. They are responsible for taking precautions regarding weather, exposure to plants (e.g., poison ivy) and wildlife (e.g.,stinging insects), falls, handling trash and debris, or other possible risks depending on the scenario and setting. Volunteer Naturalists should not exceed their comfort or capacity.

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