Community Science

At Pilchuck Audubon, we don’t just like birds, we love birds. It’s because of this passion that we don’t just want to see birds, but we want to protect them, conserve them, and educate others about them. That’s why we get involved with and spearhead community science projects.

What is community science?

Community science is a way for the public to contribute in a meaningful way to the science that studies and guides the conservation of our wildlife. More than a century ago, Audubon pioneered the idea of community science with the first Christmas Bird Count. Today the longest-running wildlife census in the hemisphere continues to shape and inform our approach to conservation, providing vital information about bird populations and trends, data that alerts us to environmental threats not only to birds but to the larger ecosystems we all depend on.

Formerly referred to as “citizen science,” Audubon has transitioned to the more inclusive term “community science” because no matter where a volunteer was born, or how they came to the United States, we value their contribution to our science and conservation programs. Citizenship, or the perception that a volunteer may or may not be a citizen, certainly isn’t a prerequisite to caring for birds.

Furthermore, participation in volunteer data-collection initiatives like the Audubon Christmas Bird Count and the Great Backyard Bird Count are, at their best, communal experiences that bring us together as a caring community of people who are inspired by birds and want to protect them. The term community science better reflects these social and relational realities.

Want to get involved?

Browse our volunteer opportunities or email Brian at director@pilchuckaudubon.org for more information about participating in our community science projects!