Being a citizen scientist is a wonderful way in which to help nature and to contribute to organisations working to help nature. Join in a big effort to make a difference!
The thing about data is that it helps to give conservation charities a direction. It means they can use their results to plot their next steps and a longer term strategy. It can show where and which animals are in trouble, and who needs help.
This page lists a number of Citizen Scientist projects. I'll keep adding to them - so please keep checking back!
The Marine Conservation Society has a number of citizen science projects you can get stuck into such as:
Jellywatch - if you spot a jellyfish or a turtle, the MCS is asking that you report your sighting.
Big Seaweed Search - this is now finished for 2026 but please make a note of it for next year - the Search asks volunteers to identify, photograph and record 14 key seaweed species that can be found around the UK coastline. In 2026, it began on 25th July so make a note of it in your diary for next year!
Find out about the MCS's citizen science opportunities here.
Well, take a look at ARG - the Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK! They have both ways you can record your sightings e.g. adders and they have a number of projects and surveys you can get involved with. (Look out for Make the Adder Count 2026). You can find your local group here
The PTES are looking for people who can record the wild mammals visiting your garden or other green spaces, find and record traditional orchards, health-check our hedgerows, spot stag beetles, record water voles, look for hedgehogs in camera trap videos and record sightings of dormice.
The Mammal Society
Use the Society's free app, the Mammal Mapper, to help you identify mammals you've seen and to make it easy to submit the record of your sighting to them. They love photos where possible as this helps with verifying the record but you can still submit records without photos. See their help on how to record mammals here. They also have a network of local groups. Find yours here.