Have you ever found yourself wanting to make a difference on the world around you? It seems like an impossible task. The world is a big place, what can one person do to change it? More than you think! Just become a citizen scientist.

Citizen scientists are everyday people, like you and me. They don’t hold fancy degrees or have access to impressive equipment. They are just curious and want to help fix a problem. Professional scientists rely on citizen scientists to help collect data. After all, we did say the world was a big place and it is impossible for scientists to be everywhere they need to be to fully understand a problem that may be going on. When citizen scientists submit their data to professional scientists, the pros can get a wider understanding of an issue and come up with better solutions.

There are many different problems and issues that professional scientists need help collecting data on, but there are a few that are now easier to assist with in Fairfax County all thanks to your local library.

Collect Data on Light Pollution

Light pollution affects both humans and wildlife. It covers our view of the stars and results in wasted energy, disrupted sleep patterns and ecological disturbances. From disrupting migratory bird paths to affecting the hunting habits of nocturnal creatures, the adverse effects of light pollution are far-reaching and profound.

Formed through a partnership between Fairfax County Public Library and the Fairfax County Park Authority , our light pollution monitoring kits empower citizens to fight light pollution by providing them with the tools needed to measure and monitor light levels in their communities. Available through our Library of Things , the kits contain a Sky Quality Meter, planispheres for locating constellations in English and Spanish, instructions for collecting and submitting data, and a red-light flashlight, enabling users to assess the brightness of their surroundings and contribute to the ongoing effort to preserve our natural nightscapes. Kits can be checked out from any of FCPL’s branches and holds can be place online here . 

More information about the Light Pollution Monitoring Kits can be found at bit.ly/FCPL_LightPollution .

Document and Help Protect Endangered Pollinators

At Burke Centre Library, a conservation effort is underway in the form of a garden that provides a habitat for pollinators like the monarch butterfly and some species of bumblebees.  Using the app iNaturalist, visitors can document different plants and animals they see in the garden to help professional scientists track the diversity of an ecosystem, monitor species levels, study the effects of climate change and more. This is especially important with the branch’s garden for its role as a Monarch Waystation.

A monarch waystation is a place for monarchs to rest and refuel during their long migration of about 3,000 miles from Mexico to Canada in the spring and summer months and their return trip to Mexico during the fall season. According to the nonprofit research program, Monarch Watch, a monarch butterfly travels about 200 miles a day and needs nectar and milkweed plants to complete the journey. Burke Centre Library has helped protect monarchs by planting milkweed and other plants in its garden to ensure the butterflies have access to the resources they need during their migratory journey. When citizen scientists visit and collect data at the garden, we can learn more about how effective certain plants are and whether the monarch butterfly population has increased or decreased in any given year.

Other county agencies, like the Fairfax County Park Authority, also use iNaturalist to monitor the wildlife that call our parks home. You can find out how to contribute to their research here .

Other Ways to Discover the World Around You

Appreciating nature doesn’t always have to be about collecting data. FCPL’s Library of Things also includes items that allow borrowers to discover nature simply for enjoyment. With items like our Nature Backpacks , which include a free day pass to any Virginia State Park, and our binoculars, which can help you relax with wild sights far and wide, enjoying the great outdoors has never been easier.