Be Part of Something BIGGER.
NIAS supports Citizen Science Initiatives – We Need You!
Citizen Science is Science for Everyone!
Citizen Science is science for everyone! Specifically, citizen science is when the public voluntarily helps conduct scientific research. Citizen scientists may design experiments, collect data, analyze results, and solve problems.
This is a great way to be a part of some bigger research without a huge commitment or even without a ton of knowledge. If you have the desire to learn, NIAS has several Citizen Science related efforts that you can join!
Activities we need your help!
Christmas Bird Count (CBC)
sponsored by the National Audubon Society, it is one of the oldest continuous Citizen Science initiatives in the nation. For details, click here: https://www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count
NIAS is responsible for a 15 mile diameter count circle centered in Freeport. There are teams that count between December 14 and January 5, with the specific date determined by the local compiler.
NIAS has been involved since 1974, and on average, our teams usually observe between 40-50 species of birds on count day.
To find out more, contact our local compiler, Richard Benning.
Spring Bird Count (SBC)
sponsored by the Illinois Natural History Survey, it is a yearly bird count that consists of volunteers conducting bird counts on the Saturday that falls between May 4 and May 10. The counts are conducted in all 102 counties in Illinois. For details, click here: https://spring-bird-count.inhs.illinois.edu/
Stephenson County has data back to 1975, and we usually count over 70 species each year!
NIAS members commonly participate in the Stephenson County SBC, to find out more, contact the compiler, Carol Beatty.
Midwest Crane Count
sponsored by the International Crane Foundation, This annual survey of Sandhill and Whooping Cranes spans over 150 counties in seven states of the upper Midwest, including Wisconsin and portions of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio and Minnesota. For details, click here: https://savingcranes.org/learn/annual-midwest-crane-count/
The count is done each year in early April. The count takes place in the very early morning for 2 hours.
NIAS has 14 territories that are monitored throughout Stephenson county.
If you would like to get involved, contact the compiler, Teresa Smith.
Project FeederWatch
sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Project FeederWatch turns your love of feeding birds into scientific discoveries. FeederWatch is a November-April survey of birds that visit backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales in North America. For details, click here: https://feederwatch.org/
This is something you can get involved in on your own, you don’t need to sign up with a compiler and you don’t even need a feeder! Just go to the website to join and they will provide instructions on what to do and how to upload your data.
Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)
sponsored by the National Audubon Society, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada, this global count takes place over 4 days in February, and can be done in a little as 15 minutes! For details, click here: https://www.birdcount.org/
If you already use Merlin or eBird, your data will be part of the count during that time period
There are lots of resources on the website, so be sure to check it out!