Citizen science allows everyone to contribute to scientifiresearch by observing, photographing, or recording everyday phenomena. By sharing your observations, you help scientists better understand biodiversity, natural habitats, and changes affecting the environment. Want to get involved? Here’s a list of projects to explore.

Trees and Forests: 

Track Your Tree https://treetraque.ca/fr_ca/

Invites you to observe the seasonal changes in a chosen tree and share your observations to help track the effects of climate change.

Canopée Sherbrooke https://www.canopeesherbrooke.ca/

Discover a project raising awareness about the urban heat island effect and the importance of trees in providing shade, reducing heat and pollution, and improving human health.

Parcs en santé (Healthy Parks) https://www.parcsensante.com/fr#

The PARCS en Santé project aims to generate the scientific knowledge needed to develop an effective and sustainable intervention strategy designed to protect the biodiversity of large peri-urban natural parks while reducing health risks associated with tick-borne diseases.

Pisteurs de tordeuses (Leafroller Trackers): https://partenariatforetsante.ca/pisteurs-de-tordeuses/a-propos-du-programme/

Allows you to participate in scientific monitoring of forest-associated butterflies using a collection kit and a simple protocol.

Water Rangers https://waterrangers.com/fr/

Test water in lakes and rivers, then share your results in an open database.

Wildlife:

Québec Oiseaux (eBird Qc) https://www.quebecoiseaux.org/fr/ebird

Share your bird sightings and view collected data from around the world.

Bats https://chauve-souris.ca/

Help locate bat colonies to better track their evolution and their decline.

iNaturalist https://www.inaturalist.org/

Take photos of plants, animals, or fungi and contribute to a global scientific database.

Canadian Wildlife Health Network https://www.cwhc-rcsf.ca/report_and_submit.php

Report dead or sick wild animals to help monitor Canada’s wildlife health.

Insects and Pollinators: 

eTick https://www.etick.ca/fr

Identify ticks using photos to help track their spread and their disease transmission risks.

eButterfly  https://www.e-butterfly.org/fr

Submit your butterfly sightings to support their monitoring and conservation.

Mission Monarque https://www.mission-monarch.org/fr

Report your monarch butterfly sightings to help protect this endangered migratory species.

Citizen Bees https://abeillescitoyennes.ca/

Contribute to the inventory of wild pollinator biodiversity in Quebec by participating in this project.

Spy Caterpillars https://www.chenilles-espionnes.com/

Set up fake caterpillars to study the presence of predators and of pest insects’ parasites.

Astronomy:

Oasis nuit étoilée (Starry Night Oasis) : https://www.oasisnuitetoilee.org/

Discover how to enjoy a high-quality starry sky while reducing light pollution and its effects on biodiversity.

Other promising initiatives:

Biodiversité Québec https://biodiversite-quebec.ca/fr

This platform brings together several citizen science projects related to biodiversity in Quebec.

Mont Bellevue Nature Reserve: https://www.parcmontbellevue.com/reserve-naturelle/

This location provides a setting for discovery, observation, and educational activities related to local biodiversity.

Mycosphaera https://www.mycosphaera.ca/

An organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of fungi, with the aim of promoting the development of mycology.

Club des astronomes amateurs de Sherbrooke (Sherbrooke Amateur Astronomers Club) : https://www.caas.sherbrooke.qc.ca/

Contributes to citizen science projects, notably through its participation in the GMN meteor observation network.

Expo-sciences Estrie 

This science outreach and engagement initiative, led by Technoscience Estrie, has been engaging young people for several decades and is always looking for sponsors.

Action Saint-François / Salon de la nature 

This organization mobilizes citizens to take concrete action to protect waterways, plant trees, and raise awareness, in a similar approach to that of citizen science.

Musée de la nature et des sciences de Sherbrooke (Projet Sherbrooke au naturel) https://mns2.ca/projet-sherbrooke-au-naturel/

The Museum runs a citizen-led nature photography project that combines art, natural sciences, and public engagement.

Do you have an idea for a project?

The Fonds de recherche du Québec offers the ENGAGEMENT program for Quebec’s citizens. https://frq.gouv.qc.ca/programme-engagement-citoyens/