Citizen Science Opportunities

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Are you interested in contributing to science and discovery?

Are you interested in biodiversity and conservation?

If you answered yes to these questions, then this page is for you!

What is Citizen Science?

Citizen science provides a unique opportunity for individuals to participate in data collection and/or analysis activities, particularly in relation to environmental issues or questions, but also in many other fields of endeavour. It is about citizens contributing to scientific discoveries. It is also about developing science as a hobby, as much as you may enjoy art, or literature. 

There are several ways to get involved in Citizen Science activities in Wingecarribee Shire, including:

  • NatureMapr – use this free app to contribute sightings to the Southern Highlands Nature Map
  • Aussie Backyard Bird Count – download the free Bird Count app to count birds in your backyard or favourite park during the third week of October each year
  • Platypus surveys in autumn and spring – volunteer your time to look for platypus in the Wingecarribee River
  • Koala Karaoke – help us to monitor koala bellows in spring and summer
  • Join Bushcare or Rivercare to undertake ecological restoration work
NatureMapr and the Southern Highlands Nature Map

The Southern Highlands Nature Map (SHNM) is an exciting new citizen science tool to help you discover what is around you and for you to contribute to biodiversity monitoring in Wingecarribee and Wollondilly shires. 

Data collected by citizen scientists through NatureMapr helps to educate the broader community including the next generation of scientists and activists, and it can be used in the development of local biodiversity projects. Verified data is shared with the Atlas of Living Australia and work is progressing on sharing data with BioNet (NSW Wildlife Atlas). The project also has the potential to guide strategic land use planning, biosecurity planning and management and local and regional decision making.

To get started
  • Visit the SHNM web page and create a login. You will need a username, email address and password. You can add more details in your user profile at any time.
  • Explore the web site and look at other sightings and sound recordings as well as the resource centre (located by clicking on the small NatureMapr icon on the top right-hand side of the page)
  • Take photos using your camera or phone and submit your observation to the SHNM web site or click on the record sighting button below.
  • It is initially better to record photos and upload them from your camera or phone to the SHNM web site before you familiarise yourself with the NatureMapr app.

For more detailed information, download a copy of the handouts below to help you get started with NatureMapr.

NatureMapr Handout 1 - How to Upload a Sighting(PDF, 457KB)

NatureMapr Moderator Practice Notes(PDF, 494KB)

Southern Highlands Nature Map - Record a Sighting

If you have expertise in a particular location or taxonomic area and you would like to volunteer your time as a moderator, please get in touch with the Environment Officer - Bushcare and Citizen Science at Council on 4868 0888.

Aussie Backyard Bird Count

The Aussie Backyard Bird Count celebrates National Bird Week.  This annual count provides an understanding of the birds that like to live near us.

During the week, participants count birds for 20 minutes and can do as many surveys as they want over the week. Visit Aussie Bird Count for more information, download the app and get familiar with the field guide. Download the reports from previous years listed below.

Backyard Bird Count Results

The Aussie Backyard Bird Count results from 2024 are now available. A big shout out to all the citizen scientists that counted birds and contributed to these results. 

We are pleased to report that 233 individuals participated in the count, completing 747 surveys.  As a result, over 18,970 birds were recorded, representing 149 different species across Wingecarribee Shire.

The Australian Wood Duck emerged as the most frequently observed species this year, followed by the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.  Special recognition goes to the Gang-gang Cockatoo and the Glossy Black Cockatoo for their notable presence in the count.

Other key findings include: 

  • Crimson Rosella, Australian Magpie, Noisy Miner, Little Corella, Pied Currawong, Galah, Australian King Parrot and the Pacific Black Duck round out the top 10 for 2024.  
  • Lewin's Rail, Nankeen Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike and the Zebra Finch made it to the bottom of the list year. 
  • There were 12 species, all native to Australia, that were only seen once during the survey, this is 25 less than last year.
  • The top ten most recorded make up over 59% of all the birds counted.
  • The Gang-gang Cockatoo had 59 sightings, the Glossy Black Cockatoo had 19 while the Dusky Woodswallow only 16 sightings were recorded this year.

The Aussie Backyard Bird Count will be held again this year between 20-26 October, so download the app and start counting the days down now!

Watch Wingecarribee Shire council's webpage and social media for information about our free screening of Night calling at the Empire cinema during Bird week.

Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2024(PDF, 4MB)

Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2022(PDF, 38MB)

Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2021(PDF, 8MB)

Aussie Backyard Bird count 2020(PDF, 25MB)

Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2019(PDF, 2MB)

Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2018(PDF, 3MB)

Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2016(PDF, 748KB)

Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2015(PDF, 606KB)

At Home Citizen Science Projects
Backyard Bioblitz

What better way to get involved in citizen science month than to record the biodiversity that visits or resides in your backyard. This could be birds, insects, plants and other animals.

To contribute to a Backyard BioBlitz, we recommend that you try to photograph all your observations and submit them to Southern Highlands Nature Map. That way we can get a better idea of what’s inhabiting the urban and regional areas of the Southern Highlands.

Backyard BioBlitzes are flexible in how they can be structured, but here are a few tips:

  • While sitting inside, keep an eye on what is happening outside your window. Record sightings of animals as they move past your window.
  • Spend 20 minutes exploring your backyard and record what you see. If you feel like taking a more passive approach, sit out in your garden and record what you see while having your morning coffee or tea.
  • Gamify sightings: if there are a few of you in the household, set up a competition to see who can see the most species in a day, a week or the month of April.
  • Contribute to a bigger project: Wild Pollinator Count runs from 12 - 19 April and asks participants to record visiting insect pollinators.
  • See something unique or unsure what it is? Take a photo and submit it to SHNM to see if someone can identify it for you.

Examples of Local Fungi

Biodiversity Projects in the Southern Highlands

Join with us in looking out for and recording our iconic animals including the Koala, Platypus and Glossy-black Cockatoo. 

Southern Highlands Koala Conservation Project

Glossy Black Cockatoo Conservation

Southern Highlands Platypus Conservation Project

The Barren Grounds - Budderoo Quollidor Project

Other Citizen Science Opportunities

There are many and varied projects that you may find interesting, and the best way to start is to go to a project finder site such as the Atlas of Living Australia Citizen Science Central.

There are many projects that run at the same time each year, and in addition to the Aussie Backyard Bird Count, take a look at Frog week and Australian Pollinator Week. The Australian Citizen Science Association is another great place to find additional opportunities.

FrogID Week

Australian Pollinator Week

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