Best Leave No Trace Citizen Science Apps

SC Aquarium Citizen Science

by MDI Biological Laboratory

Free

Become a citizen scientist for the South Carolina Aquarium. Record wildlife observations, view community reports, and contribute to environmental protection efforts. This platform is powered by Anecdata.org, a free citizen science resource.

Seek by iNaturalist

Identify plants & animals

Free

Identify plants, animals, and fungi using your phone's camera. Learn about the organisms around you and earn badges for your discoveries. It's a fun, kid-safe way to explore nature and expand your knowledge of the living world.

GulfSeeLife

by Elemental Methods, LLC

Free

Become a citizen scientist by documenting and sharing your observations of the Gulf coast. Help identify species, contribute to research projects, and connect with a community dedicated to preserving biodiversity. Earn rewards for your participation.

iNaturalist

Discover nature around you

Free

Identify plants, animals, and fungi using your camera or imported photos. Get AI-powered species suggestions and connect with a global community of nature enthusiasts to learn more about the natural world and contribute to scientific conservation efforts.

CMC RIMS

Recreation Impact Monitoring

Free

This app allows citizen scientists to collect and submit data on trails, campsites, and natural resources to aid public land managers. It offers a map-based interface with GPS locating and the ability to record recreation activities and upload images. It serves as a tool for conservation and improving recreational experiences on public lands.

CitSci

by Greg Newman

Free

Empower your community with a tool for collecting and uploading scientific observations. This app facilitates citizen science projects, allowing users to contribute valuable data directly to a central platform.

WatchSpotter

Data Collection Platform

Free

This platform enables environmental scientists to collect data in the field. Users can capture photos and answer custom questions directly within the app, uploading information instantly. Project-specific IDs are required for participation.

Savvy Citizen

Local events and notifications

Free

Stay informed about local happenings with community-driven alerts and event listings. Customize notification preferences via push, text, or email. Access real-time updates from your municipality or county.

myPROSPER

by Town of Prosper

Free

Report civic issues like public safety or environmental concerns using your smartphone. This platform allows for quick and intuitive reporting with photo evidence to facilitate prompt resolution.

Public Safety - Citizen & NGOs

People Helping People & Pets

Free

Connect with your community for immediate assistance with people or animal emergencies. Share location and images to mobilize help from nearby users or your organization. Manage contacts, track volunteers, and dispatch responders efficiently.

Planet Patrol

by Plastic Patrol CIC

Free

This app empowers users to contribute to global environmental data collection, helping to fill knowledge gaps on key issues. By collecting data, users help build influential datasets that provide insights into environmental challenges.

iNaturalist Classic

Connect with Nature

Free

Record and identify species encounters with a simple interface. Contribute to scientific research and learn about biodiversity. Connect with other nature enthusiasts and explore the natural world.

Ecosia: Search to plant trees

Plant trees as you browse.

Free

This search engine allows users to plant trees by browsing the internet. It uses ad revenue to fund reforestation projects, support communities, and combat climate change. Your data is kept private and searches are encrypted.

Outway

by Outway Inc

Free

Manage land care and outdoor projects with real-time reporting, asset tracking, and event planning. Features a collaborative map with offline support for fieldwork, conservation, and community engagement.