Trees are a cornerstone to healthy native habitats and that’s why Great Rivers Greenway likes to plant native trees wherever we can along the greenways. They not only add beauty, but they also provide a valuable resource for native wildlife. You too can help wildlife by planting native trees in your own yard. In this episode of Conservation at Home, we check in with Cory Knoblach, Community Forester for Forest ReLeaf of Missouri to learn more about the value that trees provide to our native ecology and how to choose and plant native trees of your own.

There are many things you can do at home to help native habitats, and one of the most impactful things you can do is remove any invasive plants that might be lurking in your yard. With their prolific seeding, plants like Bush Honeysuckle can spread to your neighbor’s yards, nearby parks and open spaces, and even our region’s stream banks. But not if you stop them before they have the chance!

Invasive plants are one of the greatest threats to our region’s biodiversity. These plants tend to be prolific seeders, and can quickly overtake woodlands, grasslands and streambanks. They are harmful to the environment, human health and can have devastating economic impacts as well.

Even when sheltering-in-place, we can all pitch in and do our part for conservation, and one fun way to get involved – in your yard, at a nearby park, along a greenway or even out your back window, is through citizen science.

There are lots of ways that you and your family can get involved in citizen science. And to help you get started we have put together a list of citizen science initiatives tracking a wide array of things of interest to conservationists and scientists. You can pitch in and help them out by counting birds, tracking seasonal changes in plants and animals, taking pictures of bees, or even mapping squirrels. No matter which project you choose to participate in, you will be helping conservationists expand their data and understanding of the current state of the natural world.

Birds

• Celebrate Urban Birds– Observe birds at the same time and place for ten minutes, repeat three times, report what you saw! https://celebrateurbanbirds.org/
• St. Louis Audubon Third Annual Birdathon (May 2020)-During the month of May 2020, observe the birds you see in your yard, outside your window or in a park or green space (make sure the park is open and you maintain a safe distance!) Report your findings here:  https://stlouisaudubon.org/stlbirdathon/

Environment

• GLOBE Observer-Your observations help scientists track changes in clouds, water, plants, and other life in support of climate research;take your pick of what you want to observe: https://observer.globe.gov/do-globe-observer
• ISeeChange- Pick an investigation that scientists are actively researching and add sightings from your own backyard, neighborhood or city: https://www.iseechange.org/

Insects/Pollinators

• BeeWise-Take a picture of the bees you find and share using iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/beewise-honey-bee-pollen-nectar-map
• Bugs In Our Backyard-Survey and report bugs and information about their “host” plants: https://www.bugsinourbackyard.org/
• Bumble Bee Watch-Take a photo of a bumblebee, upload, identify your species, sighting will be verified by an expert: https://www.bumblebeewatch.org/
• Butterflies & Moths of North America-Take photos of butterflies, moths, and caterpillars and submit to: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/
• Butterflies I’ve Seen-Track all the butterflies you see and help scientists understand where they are, how many and if conservation efforts are having an impact: https://www.nababis.org/
• Dragonfly Migration- Scientists in the U.S., Canada and Mexico are tracking dragonflies and need your help! Report your observations: http://www.migratorydragonflypartnership.org/index/welcome
• eButterfly-Track and report butterflies you see: http://www.e-butterfly.org/
• Monarch SOS-Track and report all aspects of the Monarch lifecyle: https://monarchjointventure.org/get-involved/study-monarchs-citizen–science-opportunities
• Native Buzz-Help scientists learn more about solitary bees and wasps: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/ellis/nativebuzz/Home.aspx
• The Great Sunflower Project-Identify where pollinators need help and do something about it (like plant native plants!): https://www.greatsunflower.org/
• The Lost Ladybug Project-Help find ladybugs! Track and report your findings: http://www.lostladybug.org/
• ZomBee Watch-Help find out where in North America the Zombie Fly is infecting honey bees: https://www.zombeewatch.org/

Invasive Species

• Midwest Invasive Species Information Network- Be a part of the early detection reporting network for invasive species: https://www.misin.msu.edu/

Plant and Animal Lifecycles

• Budburst-Observe plants in your yard or neighborhood by season and report the results: http://www.budburst.org/
• City Nature Challenge-Global event in April: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/city-nature-challenge/
• iNaturalist-an app that allows you to not only help identify plants and organisms through crowdsourcing but also contribute to science around the world : https://www.inaturalist.org/
• Nature’s Notebook-Track seasonal changes in plants and animals: https://www.usanpn.org/natures_notebook
• Project NOAH-A global citizen science platformto discover, share and identify wildlife: https://www.projectnoah.org/
• St. Louis Wildlife Project-Tag photos of Missouri wildlife captured by cameras around the region: https://stlwildlifeproject.org/community-science
• Wildlife Watch-Get to know the wildlife in your backyard, outside your door or in your neighborhood: https://www.nwf.org/educational-resources/wildlife-guide/

Other

• Loss of the Night-document light sources: http://lossofthenight.blogspot.com/
• Meteor Observing-report a “fireball” you see in the sky: https://fireball.amsmeteors.org/members/imo/report_intro/
• Mosquito Byte-report your mosquito bites!: http://vectorecology.org/outreach/mosquito-bite-app/
• Project Squirrel-observe and report squirrels you see: https://scistarter.org/form/project-squirrel
• Sound Around Town-reporting noise and sound pollution: https://soundaroundtown.org/
• SquirrelMapper-measure evolution in your backyard…through squirrels! : http://squirrelmapper.org/

Create Your Own

• Create Your Own Citizen Science Project: www.citsci.org