Citizen-Based Monitoring

Volunteers are an integral part of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources approach to monitoring hundreds of species and habitats in forests, grasslands, wetlands, lakes, rivers and streams throughout the state. This public involvement, called citizen-based monitoring, leads to high-quality scientific data, offers rewarding and educational outdoor opportunities for volunteers and promotes information sharing and collaborations between members of the public and the DNR. Working together, we can better inform natural resource management and conservation.

Citizen-based monitoring projects are active in every county in the state, with volunteer opportunities available for everyone, regardless of initial skill level, science or nature experience or time availability. No matter who you are or where you are in Wisconsin, you can contribute to the management of our precious aquatic and terrestrial natural resources.

DNR and partner projects

• Animals
  • Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas II [exit DNR]
  • Wisconsin eBird Portal [exit DNR]
  • Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey [exit DNR]
  • Wisconsin Turtle Conservation Program
  • Deer hunter wildlife survey
  • Operation Deer Watch
  • Snapshot Wisconsin
  • Southwest Wisconsin Deer and Predator Study
  • Volunteer carnivore tracking
  • Wisconsin Bat Program
  • Wisconsin Odonata Survey (dragonflies and damselflies) [exit DNR]
  • Wisconsin Mussel Monitoring Program
  • Wisconsin Bumble Bee Brigade
  • Pollinator and bumble bee events calendar
  • Karner Blue Butterfly Volunteer Monitoring Program
• Plants
  • Wisconsin Rare Plant Monitoring Program
• Water
  • Citizen Lake Monitoring Network [exit DNR]
  • Water Action Volunteers - citizen stream monitoring [exit DNR]
• Invasive species
  • Clean Boats, Clean Waters [exit DNR]
  • Wisconsin First Detector Network [exit DNR]
  • Invasive plant surveys, reporting and monitoring
  • Invasive species events & volunteering

Wisconsin Citizen-Based Monitoring Network

The Wisconsin DNR is a proud partner in the Wisconsin Citizen-Based Monitoring Network, a collaboration of monitoring projects and organizations. The network offers communications, resources and recognition to improve the effectiveness of monitoring efforts throughout the state.

Stay connected and sign-up for email updates

• Citizen-Based Monitoring Network