Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Want to travel back in time? Learn about history by digging up artifacts? SERC archaeology is for you. Volunteers welcome all year!

Eastern bluebird populations decreased over the 20th century. Volunteers monitor the boxes on SERC's campus to document their activity! 

We are studying an invasive parasitic barnacle that infects native white-fingered mud crabs. We are working to track their populations and need your help! 

Help us track changes in coastal environments by identifying marine invertebrates using your smartphone, tablet, or laptop!

Olympia oysters are native to San Francisco Bay and their populations have been depleted due to over harvesting and pollution.

Scientists need help banding and measuring small Northern saw-whet owls to track their migrations.

Once a year, scientists and volunteers measure the growth of salt marsh plants in our Global Change Research Wetland. 

This project aims to measure how tree growth responds to weather and climate globally by using a simple technique that can be used by anyone!

Help researchers analyze marine litter around the world!