Citizen Science Opportunities
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.
There are several ways to get involved in Citizen Science activities in Wingecarribee Shire, including:
Aussie Bird Count
The Aussie Backyard Bird Count celebrates National Bird Week every year in October.
During Bird week, participant surveys take 20 minutes each time and can be in your backyard, local park or favourite place in nature. All surveys are valuable in keeping accurate Bird records.
Visit Aussie Bird Count for more results and information about last year's surveys. 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 2025 are now available. A big shout out to all the citizen scientists that counted birds and contributed to these results.
This year in NSW the Rainbow Lorikeet was the most seen bird, Australia wide the comical Australian Magpie took out top honours.
- 5,014,889 Birds were counted across Australia
- 63,990 Participants
- 153,855 Surveys Submitted
Use the link above to get statistical breakdown for each postcode.
Aussie Bird Count Results
View the results of previous years' Aussie Bird Counts below.
Aussie Bird Count Results
At Home Citizen Science Projects
Great Southern Bioblitz and Backyard Bioblitz
Each year the Southern Hemisphere joins together for a four day bioblitz, now called the Great Southern Bioblitz. Using the app iNaturalist anyone can upload pictures, videos, and sound recordings and be part of project.
Results for 2025 are here in two parts:
iNaturalist is not restricted to the Great Southern Bioblitz, you can record your observations all year. There are several different projects to join if you wish. All uploads are verified and valuable.
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 month.
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
For other citizen science projects not listed here that you are interested in, or something you want to start and not sure how please get in touch with the Environment Officer - Bushcare and Citizen Science using mail@wsc.nsw.gov.au