Citizen Science Opportunities

Are you looking for an opportunity to volunteer your time helping wildlife or the environments in which they are found? Are you willing to help collect data on species and their habitats? Maybe you want to teach others about fishing or hunting. Chapter 8 of the 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan lists education and outreach efforts as one of the fundamental strategies needing implementation in South Carolina to benefit priority wildlife species and their habitats. In particular, the SWAP states that SCDNR should “mobilize citizen scientists to gather data by conducting surveys and reporting sightings.” In addition, trained volunteers and citizen scientists are valuable as consistent, effective partners in conducting scientific assessments alongside our staff.

There are many opportunities for the public to help gather information that biologists and researchers can use in assessing species and their habitats. Sometimes our biologists need seasonal help with specific projects. That's when our volunteers become vitally important. Listed to the left are some citizen science resources. Some are for SCDNR programs while others take you to our conservation partners' websites.