Best Leave No Trace Citizen Science Apps

247+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.5 avg rating
20 free apps
Updated August 2026

Finding the right leave no trace citizen science apps can be overwhelming with so many options. We've analyzed 247+ apps to bring you the best choices for 2026, from free options to premium solutions with advanced features.

Compare top Leave No Trace Citizen Science Apps (August 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Leave No Trace Citizen ScienceLeave No Trace Citizen ScienceFree5.0★ (1)NoNoAug 2026
2iNaturalistiNaturalistFree4.0★ (639)NoNoSep 2026
3Rissa Citizen ScienceRissa Citizen ScienceFreeNoNoMay 2026
4Citizen ScienceCitizen ScienceFreeNoNoAug 2026
5Nextdoor: Neighborhood NetworkNextdoor: Neighborhood NetworkFree4.7★ (2.1M)YesNoSep 2026
6iNaturalist ClassiciNaturalist ClassicFree4.6★ (4.7K)NoNoSep 2026
7Trace | Leave A TraceTrace | Leave A TraceFree4.8★ (16)NoNoAug 2026
8SC Aquarium Citizen ScienceSC Aquarium Citizen ScienceFree5.0★ (7)NoNoJul 2026

Top Picks for Leave No Trace Citizen Science

iNaturalist#2

iNaturalist by iNaturalist

Discover nature around you
Strong Contender
📚 Education
4.0😐(639 ratings)
Free
#53in Education
iNaturalist screenshot 1
iNaturalist screenshot 2
iNaturalist screenshot 3
iNaturalist screenshot 4
iNaturalist screenshot 5
iNaturalist screenshot 6

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.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Faster and more intuitive UI
  • 👍 Improved features from website
  • 💡 Batch upload and sorting options
  • 🚀 Responsive and smooth performance

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Bugs with observation time and location
  • 🔍 Difficulty finding advanced editing options
  • 🔍 Overly complex UI for basic tasks

More Leave No Trace Citizen Science apps to explore

4
Citizen Science
Citizen Science
Citizen Science
by NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE FOR EARTH SCIENCE LIMITED
Free

Contribute to real scientific research by easily entering data for various surveys. Participate in projects like snow depth measurement or storm assessment, with your submissions visible on a dedicated website. This platform facilitates public involvement in scientific discovery and data collection.

Public data entry for scientific surveysVariety of seasonal and year-round projectsView submissions on the Citizen Science website
📚 Education
(0)
free
5
Nextdoor: Neighborhood Network
Nextdoor: Neighborhood Network
Nextdoor: Neighborhood Network
Local Alerts, News, Favorites
Free

Connect with your local community for real-time safety alerts, news, and recommendations. Discover events, find free items, and join groups based on your interests. Stay informed and engaged with what's happening in your neighborhood.

Real-time safety alertsLocal news and eventsNeighbor recommendations
📡 News
(2.1M)
ad-supported
6
iNaturalist Classic
iNaturalist Classic
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.

Identify species globallyRecord species sightingsContribute observations to science
📚 Education
(4.7K)
free
7
Trace | Leave A Trace
Trace | Leave A Trace
Trace | Leave A Trace
Video Geocaching with Friends
Free

Explore the world and discover hidden videos and stories tied to specific locations. Leave your own location-locked video memories for friends to find, fostering a unique way to connect and share adventures.

Discover location-locked videosCreate location-bound video memoriesConnect with a global community
🌐 Social Networking
(16)
free
8
SC Aquarium Citizen Science
SC Aquarium Citizen Science
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.

Record wildlife observationsView community reportsContribute to environmental protection
📚 Education
(7)
free
9
Savvy Citizen
Savvy Citizen
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.

Community calendar of eventsLocal alerts (road closures, school closings)Real-time government updates
🌟 Lifestyle
(1.3K)
free
10
Citizen Science Survey
Citizen Science Survey
Citizen Science Survey
Survey app for citizens
Free
🔧 Utilities
(0)
11
Science News & Discoveries
Science News & Discoveries
Science News & Discoveries
Science & Research Alerts
Free

Stay informed about the latest scientific breakthroughs, research, and expert insights. Access curated news, videos, and podcasts from top sources in an efficient, user-friendly interface. Engage with a community of science enthusiasts and personalize your feed.

Curated top science stories from multiple sourcesPush notifications for prominent storiesPersonalized news feed with topic blocking
📡 News
(1.7K)
free with in-app purchases
12
Anecdata.org
Anecdata.org
Anecdata.org
Citizen science for everybody
Free

This platform empowers users to create, manage, and participate in citizen science projects. It facilitates data collection in the field, even offline, and supports project analysis and download.

Project creation and managementDatasheet designParticipant invitation
📚 Education
(4)
free
13
Project Monarch Science
Project Monarch Science
Project Monarch Science
by Cellular Tracking Technologies
Free

This app transforms your smartphone into a receiver for tiny tracking devices attached to monarch butterflies. By crowdsourcing data, it helps scientists monitor butterfly migration patterns in unprecedented detail, aiding conservation efforts.

Crowdsourced tracking networkMonarch butterfly migration monitoringDetailed movement data
🔧 Utilities
(16)
free
14
Build4People: Citizen Science
Build4People: Citizen Science
Build4People: Citizen Science
by NXT YOU GmbH
Free
🌟 Lifestyle
(0)
15
Global Citizen: Take Action
Global Citizen: Take Action
Global Citizen: Take Action
Create Change. Every Day.
Free

Empower yourself to create positive change daily. Engage in simple actions like signing petitions and taking quizzes to address global issues. Track your progress, earn rewards, and stay informed about critical world challenges.

Sign petitions and take quizzesForm impact-friendly habitsStay informed on global issues
🌟 Lifestyle
(149)
free
16
CitSci
CitSci
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.

Data collection for citizen scienceUpload observations to CitSci.orgEmpowers community science projects
📚 Education
(2)
free
17
GulfSeeLife
GulfSeeLife
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.

Share nature observations with photos and locationsIdentify species without AI assistanceParticipate in collaborative research projects
📚 Education
(41)
free
18
Faunawatch Citizen Science
Faunawatch Citizen Science
Faunawatch Citizen Science
by Kevin Vishal
Free
📚 Education
(0)
19
COSI Science
COSI Science
COSI Science
Center of Science and Industry
Free

Explore science at home with engaging videos and hands-on activities. Participate in citizen science projects or take virtual tours. This app brings the Center of Science and Industry's educational content to your family.

At-home science discoveryEngaging science videosHands-on science activities
📚 Education
(27)
free
20
Zooniverse
Zooniverse
Zooniverse
by The Adler Planetarium
Free

Participate in real scientific research by classifying data for projects across various disciplines. Contribute to discoveries and datasets that advance knowledge, all from your mobile device. This platform connects volunteers with professional researchers for impactful citizen science.

People-powered research platformVolunteer opportunitiesAccess to mobile-friendly projects
📚 Education
(36)
free

FAQ about Leave No Trace Citizen Science

What are the best leave no trace citizen science apps for iPhone?
Leave No Trace Citizen Science tops our leave no trace citizen science apps ranking as of August 2026, with a 5.0-star average from 1 App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 20 of the top leave no trace citizen science apps we rank are free to download, including Leave No Trace Citizen Science and iNaturalist.
Leave No Trace Citizen Science has no ads and has no in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of August 2026.
We track 247+ leave no trace citizen science apps on the iOS App Store as of August 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
Leave No Trace Citizen Science is used to empower volunteers to help monitor resource conditions in outdoor areas over time. It supports the mission of protecting the outdoors by teaching and inspiring people to enjoy it responsibly.
Leave No Trace Citizen Science is supported on iPhone and iPod devices. It is designed for iOS users.