Citizen Science as an Instrument for Youth Development

A joint project with Cooperative Extension of Onondaga, Suffolk, and Orleans Counties

Citizen Science as an Instrument for Youth Development is a pilot project in New York State funded by Smith Lever. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension is developing projects in three communities — focused primarily on Latino youth.

Youth plan and implement community projects that involve: creation or improvement of habitat for birds, monitoring the green space using the Celebrate Urban Birds citizen science project, community engagement, and showcasing their projects via the web, at the Cornell Lab, and at the New York State Fair. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Cornell Cooperative extension are providing guidance and support.

The project’s goals include:




• Participation in science and technology
• Healthy living through positive experiences with the outdoors
• Community and family engagement through youth-led, multi-generational efforts to create neighborhood events and improvement activities

Check out the links below to learn more about the Youth Summit or any of our community projects!