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CitizenScience.gov
From the field to the classroom, participants across the country are jumping in to participate in NOAA’s citizen science projects. Whether you’re interested in documenting fish from historical photos, observing the weather in your community, or reporting marine debris during your beach vacation, there are many ways to participate in the scientific process. This April, for Citizen Science Month, we are proud to acknowledge volunteers from our projects to spotlight their contributions to NOAA’s research and programs.
Volunteer spotlight: Shelby Smith
A woman in a raincoat and hat stands on a cliff near a foggy coastline.
A woman in a raincoat and hat stands on a cliff near a foggy coastline. (Image credit: Shelby Smith)
Volunteer: Shelby Smith
Project: Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project
Location: Newport, Oregon, with Oregon Coast Aquarium
Years participated: 2024-2025
“This program has given me a sense of empowerment over an issue that can make you feel helpless.” - Shelby Smith
Why do you participate in this project?
I participate in this project to learn more about how plastics are affecting the Oregon Coast, but also as a way to introduce groups to marine debris. It’s a great way to connect with my community and raise awareness about environmental issues, including plastic pollution. I also find completing these surveys to be personally rewarding and fulfilling.
What’s your proudest accomplishment or contribution as a citizen scientist?
My proudest accomplishment as a community scientist has been involving many people, especially Gen Z and younger, in community science projects worldwide. Engaging our younger generations in outdoor education is one of the most effective ways to facilitate change. By inspiring them to participate in these programs, we provide hands-on experiences that can transform their worldview and inspire long-lasting change.
Has your participation affected you? How have you benefited from being involved?
I’ve gained a deeper understanding of marine debris issues and their impacts on our ecosystem. This program has given me a sense of empowerment over an issue that can make you feel helpless. Marine debris is an overwhelming issue, but through this monitoring program, I feel as if I’m contributing to something that can produce tangible results and provide information that will contribute to long-term change.
Volunteer spotlight: Jerry and Esther R.
Jerry and Esther stand together on a beach in Hawaii. Jerry is holding a clipboard and Esther is holding a sign with information about sea turtle nesting.
Jerry and Esther stand together on a beach in Hawaii. Jerry is holding a clipboard and Esther is holding a sign with information about sea turtle nesting.
Volunteers: Jerry and Esther R.
Project: Honu Count
Location: Maui, Hawaiʻi
Years participated: 2023-present
Jerry and Esther moved to Maui in 2023 and, shortly after, signed on with the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund Honu Watch project. They began contributing data to the NOAA Honu Count Program, a citizen science initiative where volunteers report individually tagged Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) with white numbers and letters on their shells. Participation in this activity has enabled them to report the most Hawaiian green sea turtles of all participants. The Honu Count program helps NOAA researchers track turtles as they complete their migrations. Jerry and Esther also tally data that Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund uses to study honu behavior on Maui.
Why do you participate in this project?
One of our daughters is very active in citizen science work in the Rocky Mountains. Following her example when we moved to Maui, we became volunteers for Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund Honu Watch. This has put us in an excellent position to observe a significant sample size of Hawaiian green sea turtles on a regular basis. Researchers cannot be everywhere all the time, especially considering the vast distances traveled by the honu. Our input through the NOAA Fisheries web reporting system helps provide more complete data for the research teams.
What’s your proudest accomplishment or contribution as a citizen scientist?
We have had over 70 sightings of 30 unique honu since starting in 2023. While the researchers have the big picture view of the turtle movements and migrations, a highlight for us is to see which turtles come and go in our area and how often. We keep a small monocular and camera with us all the time so we can make observations from a safe distance, and it is fun to be on the lookout for our numbered friends. Part of the mission of Hawaii Wildlife Fund is to educate the public about honu. Explaining the journey that the honu make to their nesting grounds really amazes the people that come to see them.
How has your participation affected you? How have you benefited from being involved?
We have benefited by learning about the honu and do our best to protect them. Teaching others about the honu and how to respect them has become a big part of our time while observing the turtles. We have also started to learn about interactions within the ecosystems and how a perturbation in one area can cascade into others with disastrous effects. Our participation has inspired us to take on other actions such as doing cleanups at Ka’Ehu Beach with Sharkastics, and making our own personal effort to reduce the use of plastics. Education is vital for conserving this magnificent species, so thank you to NOAA Fisheries for this project. A big mahalo to Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund and Sharkastics for all they do in the Hawaiian islands.
Two Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) lay on a sandy beach.
Two Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) lay on a sandy beach.
In memory of Craig Wollam
Craig holds a large fish while standing on a boat.
Craig holds a large fish while standing on a boat. (Image credit: Anna Kagley)
Volunteer: Craig Wollam
Our citizen scientists not only impact and enrich our work at NOAA, they often form lasting connections with the teams that manage these programs. In memory of Craig Wollam, a valuable volunteer who recently passed away, we recognize the contributions and lasting impact he has had with his colleagues through citizen science.
Craig Wollam became an active participatory scientist after retiring from his engineering career. After receiving a tour from the station lead, he asked how he could start volunteering. Throughout his years as a citizen scientist, Craig filled a valuable role on several projects at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, including the:
Skagit River Estuary Intensively Monitored Watershed Project
Snohomish River Monitoring Project
Qwuloolt Estuary Restoration Project
Elwha Dam Removal Project
When Craig wasn’t busy hauling nets or pulling seines, he could be found tinkering with equipment, including adding floats to sorting baskets and length boards so they wouldn’t sink to the bottom of tanks. He spent many hours assisting marine biologists with processing catch of salmonids, creating new equipment for the scientists, or getting on his hands and knees in small confined spaces to make repairs to critical components on small boats. Craig was willing to contribute to projects in any way possible to support the program.
Craig was the template of inspiration, he will always have a space in my heart and I am forever grateful our track lines crossed.
Wes Parker, Vessel Operations Coordinator
Craig’s enthusiasm for the projects he participated in was a true representation of the spirit of participatory science. The loss from his passing is felt by the programs he supported and the crew.
A multi-photo collage showing Craig performing different citizen science activities. Some tasks include holding a fish for a photo, sorting through a small catch of fish, pulling in a net, and examining water samples.
Craig Wollam filled many roles as a citizen scientist working with the NOAA Fisheries Science Center in coastal Washington.
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