Community Science

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is partnering with University of Washington, Tacoma and Northwest Trek on a citizen science project – reporting sightings of carnivores like coyotes and raccoons in the Tacoma area at gritcitycarnivores.org.

Join us!

Not accepting new volunteers for 2022. Please check back in 2023.

If you’re a hiker or nature lover, you can participate in wildlife research to help the American pika. Hike to help wildlife as you become a pika conservationist!

Commitment: Complete a one-hour online training and then perform at least two self-guided surveys in the Cascades.

Application now closed for 2022 volunteers. Please check back in 2023.

Help monitor local nest box sites on Dickman Mill Park on Ruston Way or Titlow Park for purple martins. Join us for a fun and informative workshop and learn how important these beautiful birds are to our ecosystem.

Training: Attend Spot the Swallows in-person training on Saturday, April 2nd from 2-4pm. Attend one group observation day (date: TBD).

Requirement: Acceptance as a volunteer and attend required trainings.

Commitment: Attend the training workshop, then complete a minimum of two observations per month. Each field session takes 2 hours (occurring the 2 hours after sunrise or the 2 hours before sunset) from mid-April to September.

Join beach walk naturalists and stroll along the beach at low tide, learning about the animals there. Explore the Shore is a fun and exciting opportunity to learn about the biological diversity of local beaches and how to protect them.

Age: 5 and up

Cost: Free. Please check in 15 minutes before event start.

Dates: Fri. June 17 1pm-3pm, Fri. July 15 12pm-2pm, Fri. August 12 11am-1pm

Interested in volunteering as a beach walk naturalist? Learn more here.