Citizen Science

SMART FIRES is developing a statewide citizen science program that empowers Montanans to contribute to environmental research and monitoring. The project is building a network of community partners—including libraries, senior centers, educators, and other organizations—to support participation across the state.

Ultimately, the program will provide opportunities for residents to collect and share air quality data, helping increase understanding of wildfire smoke impacts while contributing valuable information for research, education, and community decision-making. Data and project findings will be shared through publicly accessible online resources and reports.

Join the Montana Citizen Science Network!

Subscribe to receive our quarterly e-newsletter and stay connected to citizen science opportunities across Montana. Published by the Montana State University Science Math Resource Center, the newsletter highlights ways to get involved in community-based research, shares success stories, and provides updates on projects and events. You may unsubscribe at any time.

News

  • three men stand in a forest with a newly installed Chronolog sign

    Take a Photo, Contribute to Science: Visit Montana’s New Chronolog Stations

    Chronolog is a citizen science program that uses fixed photo stations to document environmental change over time. Visitors place their phone in a designated…

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  • Community Members Explore Citizen Science During Earth Week at Indreland Audubon Preserve

    On April 21, SMART FIRES and the Sacajawea Audubon Society welcomed dozens of community members to the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve in Bozeman for…

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  • Future teachers explore citizen science at MSU

    Pre-service teachers (future science teachers) from EDM 403 and EDM 415 (Science Methods) at MSU helped pilot-test Temtop air quality instruments as part of their classes’…

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  • two workshop attendees use a bug net to capture bees for data collection

    Celebrating 75 Years of the NSF: Plant and Pollinator Palooza

    May 10th was the 75th anniversary of the National Science Foundation. In conjunction with Montana NSF EPSCoR, the Science Math Resource Center at Montana…

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  • Globe Observer app banner

    Join NASA Citizen Science at the Montana NSF EPSCoR All-Hands Meeting with GLOBE Observer

    Participants in the Montana NSF EPSCoR All-Hands Meeting (September 16–17, 2024) are invited to take part in a hands-on citizen science project using GLOBE…

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