Community Science

Community science (sometimes called citizen science) mobilizes volunteers to work alongside scientists to help answer questions about the world.

Our Community Science Program welcomes all people to participate in our projects and events, and looks forward to many valuable new partnerships and collaborations. Help us explore nature in L.A.!

We decided to change our name to community science to help make our program more inclusive. To find out more about why we changed our name, please read our statement.

Participating in our projects is easy. Some projects involve taking photos of wildlife and sharing them with us, and some involve working with real specimens. Here’s how our photo-based projects work:

Step 1 

Discover Wildlife
Help us investigate the incredible nature all around L.A., in backyards, schools, and neighborhoods.

Step 2

Record What You See
Snap a photo of the wild plants and animals you find and record when and where you found them. The more detailed the observation the better!

Step 3

Share What You Find
Submit your observations with iNaturalist or by e-mailing nature@nhm.org or texting 213.663.6632 or by tagging us on social media with #NatureinLA.

Put your nature eyes on

Step outside and take a moment to slow down, look, and listen. You can find nature even in small planters surrounded by concrete. Peek under leaves and rocks to find shy animals like bugs and snails. But be safe and put back anything you move—that’s someone’s tiny home.