The Port Royal Sound Foundation’s Citizen Science program inspires the conservation of the Port Royal Sound by engaging community members and organizations in meaningful, data-driven projects and initiatives that support the health of the Sound. Projects and initiatives include water quality monitoring, resilience building, species monitoring, beautification, and more.
Level 2 Water Quality Monitoring Program
As Port Royal Sound Foundation is building its monitoring, research, and conservation program, we have developed a state-approved “Level 2” water quality monitoring program to get more fine-scale and frequent water quality data throughout the watershed. This program is considered “Level 2” because it’s a little more rigorous than Adopt-A-Stream — using digital meters and taking samples from a series of set locations on a set schedule. Learn more about this program and how to get involved.
Citizen Science Projects
There are MANY citizen science projects that contribute to collecting meaningful observations and data that build a better understanding of our broader environment. Many of these projects you can do at home with minimal equipment. Other projects are more like events that take place at a certain times of the year. Port Royal Sound Foundation will send out information and updates on projects we are actively participating in.
CoCoRaHS
Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network is a community-based network of volunteers measuring and mapping precipitation (rain, hail and snow) across the US.
The Great Southeast Pollinator Census
The Great Southeast Pollinator Census is a citizen science project designed for citizens of GA, SC, NC, and FL to monitor and report pollinator counts on a given plant for only 15 minutes between Aug 23-24.
Count and Include PRSF as Your Group in your Data Entry
Audubon Christmas Bird Count
The nation’s longest-running community science bird project fuels Audubon’s work throughout the year. The Christmas Bird Count occurs December 14 to January 5 every season.
PRSF will send out info about local bird counts closer to the date.
NestWatch
NestWatch is a nationwide nest-monitoring program designed to track status and trends in the reproductive biology of birds. Participating in NestWatch is easy and anyone can do it.
Ghosts of the Coast
Ghosts of the Coast is a citizen science project to help document the formation of ghost forests on a larger scale. Their observations will help us better understand where ghost forests are being observed and what these locations have in common.
MonarchWatch
MonarchWatch is a multi-faceted citizen science program to monitor and support the conservation of monarch butterflies across the US.