Xerces Society
ORMN Project Contact: Carolyn Smith - catheal(at)mac.com
Project Background
The Xerxes Society is a global environmental organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat. In addition to extensive education activities, it coordinates citizen science projects to track pollinators and other invertebrates to establish baseline data and identify areas for conservation concern.
The Xerxes Society is a global environmental organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat. In addition to extensive education activities, it coordinates citizen science projects to track pollinators and other invertebrates to establish baseline data and identify areas for conservation concern.
CS (Citizen Science) Activities with Xerces Society
Bumble Bee Watch
Bumble Bee Watch gathers data on the distribution and abundance of North America’s bumble bees. In addition to using this information to identify and target at-risk species, information from this project will help to answer questions about how environmental changes are affecting these bumble bee populations. Data collection and identification are performed using digital photographs by cell phones or cameras. Photos of bumble bee nests and other information may also be submitted. Since bumble bees are difficult to identify, all data submissions are verified by experts.
Bumble Bee Watch gathers data on the distribution and abundance of North America’s bumble bees. In addition to using this information to identify and target at-risk species, information from this project will help to answer questions about how environmental changes are affecting these bumble bee populations. Data collection and identification are performed using digital photographs by cell phones or cameras. Photos of bumble bee nests and other information may also be submitted. Since bumble bees are difficult to identify, all data submissions are verified by experts.
- Locations: ORMN volunteers can collect data and take photographs at any location where nectar plants and bumble bees are found. As long as you report the data you collect to Bumble Bee Watch according to its protocols then your volunteer hours can be counted even if the location is your own property.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Involvement in Bumble Bee Watch may include exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes and insect bites/stings. Volunteers should follow Bumble Bee Watch guidance to minimize rick of stings.
- Special Requirements: Have a digital camera or cellphone. Volunteers must have access to a computer for data reporting. Enroll in Bumble Bee Watch online.
- Time Commitment: Volunteers determine their level of participation.
Migratory Dragonfly Partnership Pond Watch
MDP Pond Watch is a citizen-science activity that investigates the annual movements of the five major migratory dragonfly species in North America (Common Green Darner, Spot-Winged Glider, Black Saddlebags, Wandering Glider and Variegated Meadowhawk.) By visiting the same wetland or pond site on a regular basis, participants will be placed to note the arrival of migratory dragonflies moving south in the fall or north in the spring, as well as to record when the first resident adults of these species emerge in the spring. Collecting seasonal information at local ponds and wetlands will increase data base knowledge of the local life history of resident and migratory populations of the same species, as well as their relationships.
MDP Pond Watch is a citizen-science activity that investigates the annual movements of the five major migratory dragonfly species in North America (Common Green Darner, Spot-Winged Glider, Black Saddlebags, Wandering Glider and Variegated Meadowhawk.) By visiting the same wetland or pond site on a regular basis, participants will be placed to note the arrival of migratory dragonflies moving south in the fall or north in the spring, as well as to record when the first resident adults of these species emerge in the spring. Collecting seasonal information at local ponds and wetlands will increase data base knowledge of the local life history of resident and migratory populations of the same species, as well as their relationships.
- Locations: ORMN volunteers can collect data at any convenient pond or wetland. As long as you report the data you collect to the MDP Pond Watch according to its protocols your volunteer hours can be counted even if the location is your own property.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Involvement in MDP Pond Watch may include exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes and insect bites/stings.
- Special Requirement: Volunteers must have access to a computer for data reporting. Enroll in MDP Pond Watch online.
- Time Commitment: Volunteers determine their level of participation.
Migratory Dragonfly Partnership Spring & Fall Dragonfly Migration Monitoring
MDP Spring & Fall Dragonfly Migration Monitoring is a citizen-science activity in which the participant tracks and reports details of spring and fall dragonfly migration flights for the five main migratory dragonfly species: Common Green Darner, Spot-Winged Glider, Black Saddlebags, Wandering Glider and Variegated Meadowhawk. The data, which are submitted online according to published protocols, will answer questions about which species migrate regularly; the frequency and timing of migration in different species; the sources, routes and destinations of migrants; and the patterns of migratory dragonfly reproduction, development, and movement.
MDP Spring & Fall Dragonfly Migration Monitoring is a citizen-science activity in which the participant tracks and reports details of spring and fall dragonfly migration flights for the five main migratory dragonfly species: Common Green Darner, Spot-Winged Glider, Black Saddlebags, Wandering Glider and Variegated Meadowhawk. The data, which are submitted online according to published protocols, will answer questions about which species migrate regularly; the frequency and timing of migration in different species; the sources, routes and destinations of migrants; and the patterns of migratory dragonfly reproduction, development, and movement.
- Locations: ORMN volunteers can collect data at any convenient pond or wetland. As long as you report the data you collect to the MDP Spring & Fall Dragonfly Migration Monitoring according to its protocols your volunteer hours can be counted even if the location is your own property.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Involvement in MDP Spring & Fall Dragonfly Migration Monitoring may include exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes and insect bites/stings.
- Special Requirement: Volunteers must have access to a computer for data reporting. Enroll in MDP Spring & Fall Dragonfly Migration Monitoring online.
- Time Commitment: Volunteers determine their level of participation.
OdonataCentral
OdonataCentral collects and verifies photographic records of dragonflies and damselflies across North America to expand information about the distribution, biogeography, biodiversity and identification of dragonflies and damselflies. Data collection and identification are performed using digital photographs by cell phones or cameras. OdonataCentral is a sister organization to the Migratory Dragonfly Partnership.
OdonataCentral collects and verifies photographic records of dragonflies and damselflies across North America to expand information about the distribution, biogeography, biodiversity and identification of dragonflies and damselflies. Data collection and identification are performed using digital photographs by cell phones or cameras. OdonataCentral is a sister organization to the Migratory Dragonfly Partnership.
- Locations: ORMN volunteers can collect data at any convenient pond or wetland. As long as you report the data you collect to the OdonataCentral according to its protocols your volunteer hours can be counted even if the location is your own property.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Involvement in OdonataCentral may include exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes and insect bites/stings.
- Special Requirements: Have a digital camera or cellphone. Volunteers must have access to a computer for data reporting. Enroll in OdonataCentral online.
- Time Commitment: Volunteers determine their level of participation.