Floral Reef is built on the idea that careful observation by ordinary people can produce knowledge that is both meaningful and useful. Citizen science allows volunteers, students, land stewards, and visitors to contribute real data about plants, pollinators, soil, and habitat change over time.
This work is not advocacy or spectacle. It is documentation. When observations are consistent, repeatable, and shared openly, they become part of a larger public record that researchers, educators, and communities can learn from.
This work is not advocacy or spectacle. It is documentation. When observations are consistent, repeatable, and shared openly, they become part of a larger public record that researchers, educators, and communities can learn from.
What we mean by citizen science
At Floral Reef, citizen science refers to:
- Structured observation using simple, well defined methods
- Participation by non specialists alongside educators and scientists
- Data collected over time, not one off impressions
- Clear separation between what is observed and how it is interpreted
Most projects rely on tools people already have, such as smartphones, notebooks, and basic field guides, paired with clear instructions and reference standards.
What participants observe
Citizen science projects connected to Floral Reef may include:
- Presence and seasonal timing of pollinators, including butterflies and native bees
- Flowering and senescence of native plants
- Habitat conditions such as ground cover, bare soil, or disturbance
- Visible changes following restoration, fire, drought, or planting
Observations are designed to be simple enough for first time participants while still producing data that can be compared across sites and years.
Why monarch butterflies matter
Monarch butterflies are one of the most widely studied migratory insects in North America. Their migration, breeding success, and survival are closely tied to habitat quality, weather, and land use. Because monarchs are visible and well documented, they offer a strong example of how citizen observations can contribute to real scientific understanding.
Floral Reef highlights established programs that demonstrate best practices in citizen science. One such example is Project Monarch, a long running initiative that coordinates trained volunteers to tag and document migrating monarchs using standardized protocols.
You can read more about this approach in our related article:
Project Monarch: Tracking Migration Through Citizen Science
(link opens in a new page)
Floral Reef highlights established programs that demonstrate best practices in citizen science. One such example is Project Monarch, a long running initiative that coordinates trained volunteers to tag and document migrating monarchs using standardized protocols.
You can read more about this approach in our related article:
Project Monarch: Tracking Migration Through Citizen Science
(link opens in a new page)
How Floral Reef projects are designed
Floral Reef citizen science efforts emphasize:
- Standardized viewpoints or survey areas
- Repeat photography or repeated counts over time
- Transparent data sharing and attribution
- Educational context explaining why each observation matters
The goal is not volume, but consistency. A small number of careful observations, repeated year after year, can reveal patterns that single visits cannot.
Who can participate
Participation is open to:
- Students and educators
- Gardeners and land stewards
- Community volunteers
- Visitors who want to learn through observation
No prior scientific training is required. Guidance is provided so that participants understand both the limits and the value of what they are recording.
Learn more
If you are interested in how citizen science projects are structured, how data is used, or how similar efforts operate in other regions, start with our overview of monarch migration tracking and then explore other Floral Reef observation projects as they are added.
Participation is always optional, and curiosity is the only prerequisite.
Participation is always optional, and curiosity is the only prerequisite.