Big Seaweed Search
Monitor the effects of environmental change on Britain's sea life by exploring the seashore and recording the seaweeds that you find there.
Community science
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 make a difference.
What is community science?
Community science, also known as citizen science or participatory science, is a collaborative approach where the public actively contributes to scientific research. These projects can vary widely: some involve residents in a specific location who have a personal stake in the results, whilst others enlist volunteers to gather observations across large areas or over long periods to track environmental trends.
Our projects
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 and gather vital data for our scientists and unlock the potential of our collections, allowing 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.
Current projects
Thousands of people across the country take part in our science projects. Why not join in?
Underwater Forests survey
Investigate kelp along your stretch of coastline and protect this important ecosystem.
National Education Nature Park
Schools only
Transforming the way we teach climate education and supporting young people to act and increase biodiversity across England.
Past projects
You can read about some of the previous community science projects that we've worked on.
Report your sightings
UK whale and dolphin strandings
Report stranded whales, dolphins and porpoises to support UK marine mammal research.
Mitten Crab Watch
Record any sightings of the Chinese mitten crab, an invasive species, that you see in UK waterways.
Ringed birds
Found a ringed bird with an NHM label on the ring?
Please report to the British Trust for Ornithology's National Ringing Scheme.
Find out more about our programme
If you'd like to find out more about our community science programme, we have resources for practitioners and links to our academic research.
What else can I do?
Year round survey calendar
Use our calendar to find wildlife surveys that suit your schedule and skill level.
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.
Meet the community scientists
It was brilliant getting to see and learn the different varities of seaweed on the beach we were visiting.
It's nice to know I'm doing my bit to protect my local coastline.
Sally
Big Seaweed Search
I really enjoyed being outside and discovering the mix of insects in our area which are generally overlooked. It was fun seeing friends spotting insects which they had never seen before, photographing and then researching what they discovered.
Matthew
Nature Overheard: Tune into your streets
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.
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.
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