Citizen Science

What is it?

Mountain Studies Institute bridges the gap between citizens and the scientific community. We are empowering people of all ages and occupations to use information to make decisions and take action on issues affecting their communities and surrounding landscape. Complimentary to our mission of pursuing science that people can use, our Citizen Science program aims to equip community members with the knowledge, skills and confidence to participate in enjoyable scientific research activities that increase mastery of local environmental themes while also generating data to inform sustainable community solutions.

MSI is unique in its approach to promoting citizen engagement in the scientific process by offering a variety of learning opportunities that reflect the diversity of our unparalleled San Juan Mountain living classroom. We pride ourselves in being able to offer citizens of the San Juan Mountain region a wide suite of projects in which to participate.

Have questions? Email Jewell Coleman at jewell@mountainstudies.org

Interested in volunteer information? Follow the link below!

CITIZEN SCIENCE with MSI

Weed MappingWeeds follow disturbance. With cows, humans, horses, and dogs travelling in the recently burned Hermosa Creek drainage, land managers and scientists expect an influx of weeds. Map invasive plants by submitting photo observations to iNatu…

Weed Mapping

Weeds follow disturbance. With cows, humans, horses, and dogs travelling in the recently burned Hermosa Creek drainage, land managers and scientists expect an influx of weeds. Map invasive plants by submitting photo observations to iNaturalist.org.

PikaNetPika live in a very specific habitat and are sensitive to rising temperatures and decreases in snowy insulation caused by climate change. Join the effort to map their habitat and presence across the Rocky Mountains.

PikaNet

Pika live in a very specific habitat and are sensitive to rising temperatures and decreases in snowy insulation caused by climate change. Join the effort to map their habitat and presence across the Rocky Mountains.

E.Coli Monitoring

E.coli is an indicator of fecal matter. Since 2020, visitation and trail use has increased dramatically, as much tripling in some areas like Ice Lakes Basin. We want to understand how humans are impacting the water, and to use this data to teach people about the importance of proper waste management.

Bighorn Sheep MonitoringDomestic sheep are known to communicate deadly disease to bighorn sheep. The Forest Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife are calling for citizen science observations of bighorn sheep, domestic sheep out of allotments, and …

Bighorn Sheep Monitoring

Domestic sheep are known to communicate deadly disease to bighorn sheep. The Forest Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife are calling for citizen science observations of bighorn sheep, domestic sheep out of allotments, and especially domestic and bighorn sheep together. Learn where to go hiking for this project!

Colorado River Watch -Learn more about how to join the water quality monitoring network that collects data across the united states.

Colorado River Watch -

Learn more about how to join the water quality monitoring network that collects data across the united states.

Citizen Scientist tutorials

MSI is developing a library of simple tutorials to practice skills specific to our citizen science projects. They are meant to be used in conjunction with a field training. 

GPS Video Tutorial for Citizen Scientists

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