Citizen Science on the Sunshine Coast

So what’s citizen science? It’s when people volunteer their time to partner with researchers to increase scientific knowledge and collect data about their natural environment.

Citizen science gives people a chance to explore a passion outside of their day job, expand on an interest, learn a new skill, meet like-minded people and provide valuable knowledge about our local environment.

Council leads, partners and supports other organisations to deliver citizen science programs you can get involved with. Click here to find out more about what activities Sunshine Coast Council facilitate.

Programs

Big Butterfly Count - Sunshine Coast

Lead Organisation(s): Sunshine Coast Council

About:

Join us in counting the Sunshine Coast’s butterflies.

Friday 8 March 2024 - Hardie Buzacott Wildflower Reserve
Tuesday 19 March 2024 - Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary
Wednesday 20 March 2024 - Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens
Friday 22 March 2024 - Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
Tuesday 26 March 2024 - Point Cartwright Reserve

Bird in Backyards

Lead Organisation(s): Birdlife Australia

About:

A research, education and conservation program focused on the birds that live where people live. Get involved by becoming a member and taking part in online surveys. For more information.

ClimateWatch Trails

Lead Organisation(s): Sunshine Coast Council & Earthwatch

About:

Collect and record data on the seasonal behaviour of plants and animals along three popular walking trails. For more information.

CoastSnap

Lead Organisation(s): Sunshine Coast Council

About:

CoastSnap monitors/maps the way the coast changes over time by taking photos of our local beaches over time. Download the free CoastSnap app and visit a CoastSnap station at Coolum, Alexandra Headland, Buddina or Moffat Beach and start snapping. For more information.

ECOllaboration citizen science

Lead Organisation(s): ECOllaboration

About:

Offer activities including water quality, frog and platypus monitoring. For more information.

Find a frog in February

Lead Organisation(s): Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee

About:

A citizen science program that enables the community to help close the knowledge gaps that exist for our local frogs. It covers the Mary, Noosa and Burrum River catchments and coastal areas from Peregian to Burrum Heads, including Fraser Island. For more information.

Glossy Black Cockatoo monitoring

Lead Organisation(s): Glossy Black Conservancy

About:

Annual birding day in May or October in alternating years. For more information.

iNaturalist Australia

Lead Organisation(s): California Academy of Sciences & National Geographic Society

About:

Provides a place to record and organise nature findings, meet other nature enthusiasts, and learn about the natural world. Observations submitted are added to the global iNaturalist database and shared with the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility to help scientists find and use your data. For more information.

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve citizen science

Lead Organisation(s): Sunshine Coast Council

About:

Get involved in seasonal activities such as butterfly counts, bird and pademelon surveys. For more information.

Sunshine Coast Marine BioBlitz 2024