Get Involved With Community Science!
What is community science?
Community science is a rapidly growing field that engages the entire community for scientific research. Anyone can engage in community science. There is no academic prerequisites, just training for individual programs.
Community science volunteers collect or analyze data that can be used by researchers, policy makers, and more. Some programs are seasonal. Most have flexible scheduling, which allows full-time students or others with limited volunteer availability to participate.
The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History is partnered with several community science projects that align with our mission of discovery, wonder, and stewardship of the natural world. For questions, reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator.
Get Started!
You can learn more about our community science partnership programs with the links below.
Black Oystercatcher Monitoring
The Black Oystercatcher (BLOY) Monitoring Project studies a charismatic local shorebird to understand the health of the rocky shore environment.
This seasonal community science program runs from May - September, which nicely complements our monarch programs (October - March). It is conducted in partnership with the California Coastal National Monument and Monterey Audubon.
We will begin recruiting for BLOY volunteers in March 2025. If you are interested in joining this project, you can either fill out a volunteer application (above) or email our Volunteer Coordinator.
LiMPETS
The Long-term Monitoring Program and Experiential Training for Students was developed to teach students how to conduct science by monitoring the coastal ecosystems of our marine sanctuaries. Volunteers help our LiMPETS program manager deliver rocky intertidal and sandy beach monitoring programs for students, grades 6-12.
Watershed Guardians
This is a student-led community science program, for middle school and above. Watershed Guardians lets students study the health of our local Carmel and Salinas Watersheds. Students (with volunteer assistance) collect and record real-time data on the alkalinity, salinity, pH, temperature, turbidity, and more.
Marine Protected Area Watch
MPA (Marine Protected Area) Watch monitors how people use our protected coastlines and oceans, both recreationally and commercially. There are survey sites all around the Monterey Peninsula, from Asilomar to the Del Monte Beach.
This is a year-round program in partnership with WILDCOAST. Walking the beach for science — what could be better?
We have 2 primary onboarding periods for MPA Watch: September and February, but volunteers are welcome any time of year. If you are interested in joining this program, you can either fill out a volunteer application (above) or email our Volunteer Coordinator.
Western Monarch Count
The Western Monarch Count tracks the population of the beautiful and endangered Western monarch butterfly as it overwinters along the California coast. Volunteers choose sites across Monterey County (from Moss Landing to Big Sur) to scout for butterflies.
This seasonal program goes from October - March, with volunteer recruitment in September and October. It is conducted in partnership with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. If you want to help protect the iconic and gorgeous monarch butterfly, join our team!