NatureWatch

How Can You Connect With Nature – and Protect it at the Same Time? Become a Citizen Scientist through NatureWatch

NatureWatch is a suite of environmental monitoring programs that encourage citizen scientists to submit simple yet vital observations of changes in our natural environment.

NatureWatch programs allow you to participate at your own pace and chosen location, even in your own backyard. Like most NatureWatchers, you’ll probably find that it is simple to incorporate nature observation into your regular routine. While the monitoring protocols are scientifically rigorous, they’re quick and easy to follow, and cater to beginner and expert naturalists alike.

You can learn about the environment while gathering the information scientists need to monitor and protect it. Get involved in one or more NatureWatch program and discover how natural ecosystems are changing in Canada—and why.

If you have been taking readings and are ready to submit your observations, visit the NatureWatch Web site.

Six NatureWatch Programs

In partnership with Environment Canada's Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network (EMAN) coordinating office, Nature Canada offers five Watch programs:

FrogWatch
Our most popular NatureWatch Program – especially for kids! Get our frog ID kits and take the family out FrogWatching. Or listen to frog calls and laugh at frog jokes on our Web site. Frogs are particularly valuable species to observe because they live on land and water and can signal change in both ecosystems.

PlantWatch
Scientists believe that many plant species are occurring earlier in many parts of Canada, possibly because of climate change. You can help us learn more by recording the bloom dates of certain plant species in your area. Study our plant guide, download our observation forms and join the program.

ButterflyWatch
Butterflies are very sensitive to alterations in environmental conditions. Monitoring changes in their abundance, diversity or behaviour through ButterflyWatch can provide an early warning of shifting ecosystem trends. Feast your eyes on Canada’s beautiful butterflies and take part in the newest NatureWatch Program!

WormWatch
Earth worms are highly sensitive to soil disturbance. When scientists know how many worms are found in a given volume of soil, it tells them whether the soil is healthy or not. Get your hands dirty and take part in this important program.

IceWatch
If you live near, or frequently visit a body of water, record each year’s freeze and thaw dates for our IceWatch program. The data will help scientists understand how aquatic ecosystems are responding to climate change. Changes in freeze and thaw dates can have profound effects on bird migration and breeding, food supplies for fish and mammals, and a host of human recreation and economic activities.

NatureBasics
NatureBASICs is a brand new Nature Canada program designed to encourage ordinary citizens, particularly children and youth, to become interested in nature – a first step to becoming a citizen scientist. NatureBASICs is intended to inspire a new generation of NatureWatchers by introducing people to some of the important NatureWatch species. By learning the basics of observing and recording observations, participants will be ready to take on the citizen science aspect of the existing NatureWatch programs.

If you have been taking NatureWatch readings and are ready to submit your observations, visit naturewatch.ca, click here.

NatureWatch is supported by The Trillium Foundation and Ontario Parks.

NatureWatch is a partnership between:

Members, supporters— people like you	Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network/ Le Réseau d’évaluation et de surveillance écologiques