Community science

A cub scout and an adult taking part in a wildlife survey

Answering the big science questions around climate change and the diversity of life requires lots of data, and our researchers can't gather this alone. You can help.

Our community science projects invite you to actively contribute to the Museum's science research. By recording observations of wildlife, collecting samples, or transcribing handwritten records, you can unlock the potential of our collections and gather vital data for our scientists, helping them to better understand the natural world.

Anyone can take part - you don’t need special skills or training as we tell you everything you need to know to get involved. It’s a fun, free way to enjoy nature while doing a little bit of good in the world.

Thousands of people across the country take part in our crowdsourced science projects. Why not join in?

Nature Overheard

Join our mass community science project investigating the impact of noise pollution on insects near roads.

Tune in to your streets

GenePools

Investigate the hidden and invisible life within your local urban pond.

Join the project

Big Seaweed Search

Monitor the effects of environmental change on Britain's sealife by exploring the seashore and recording the seaweeds that you find there.

Join the search

Underwater Forests survey

Investigate kelp along your stretch of coastline and protect this important ecosystem.

Sign up for the survey

UK whale and dolphin strandings

Report stranded whales, dolphins and porpoises to support UK marine mammal research.

Report sightings

Mitten Crab Watch

Record any sightings of the Chinese mitten crab, an invasive species, that you see in UK waterways.

Identify mitten crabs

Nature Recording Hub

Discover how to record the wildlife in your urban environment, improving our understanding of UK habitats and how to protect and enhance them. Including collections of biological recording schemes run by other UK organisations and a month-by-month calendar of suggested activities.

Find surveys and learn how to share your records

Keep updated on our projects

If you want to know how our projects are progressing, or get alerts on new activities you can join, then please sign up to our Community Science team's newsletter.

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Receive email updates from the Museum’s Community Science team - including project findings, training opportunities, evaluation surveys and new community science projects we’d love you to join - as well as other Museum news, exhibitions, events, services and fundraising activities. We may include third-party content from our corporate partners and other museums in these emails. We will not share your personal details with these third parties. You must be over the age of 13. Privacy notice.