Environmental Citizen Science: Insights 2025

Environmental Citizen Science has emerged as a transformative force, realizing substantial strides toward involving the public in scientific research aimed at addressing ecological challenges. This dynamic field is characterized by rapid advancements driven by collective efforts in data collection, analysis, and its practical applications. Despite its growth, significant questions remain regarding its sustainability, data validity, participant engagement, and long-term impact.

Research in recent years showcases significant accomplishments, including improved data accuracy through innovative technology, enhanced public engagement strategies, and successful collaborations between scientists and citizen scientists. Initiatives such as large-scale biodiversity monitoring and pollution tracking have been realized. Yet, this field still grapples with challenges like ensuring data quality and maintaining participant interest over extended periods.

This Research Topic aims to explore the profound advancements achieved and the hurdles yet to be crossed within Environmental Citizen Science. It seeks to unravel the critical questions that shape the future of this field and identify innovative methodologies and potential solutions. By providing an in-depth understanding of the current landscape, this Research Topic proposes to chart a path forward that optimizes citizen engagement and data efficacy.

To gather further insights in Environmental Citizen Science, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Innovative methods for enhancing participant engagement.
• Traditional environmental knowledge and knowledge co-production
• Standardization and validation of data collected by citizen scientists.
• Integration of emerging technologies to address ecological challenges engaging citizen data and citizen-based observation.
• Strategies for sustained public involvement over long-term projects.
• Evaluation of Environmental Citizen Science's impact on policy and conservation efforts.

We encourage contributors to identify prevailing challenges and propose actionable strategies, thus enabling the ongoing evolution and success of this essential area of research. Article types welcomed include Original Research, Reviews, Case Studies, and Opinion Pieces.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: environmental citizen science, citizen data, environmental conservation, community participation

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.