Citizen Science Opportunities in Texas

Thousands of people volunteer as citizen scientists, lending their eyes, ears, hands and time to professional scientists conducting all kinds of research around the world. Most citizen science projects require no special skill or knowledge. Some even can be done sitting on your couch with a computer or smartphone. Read about opportunities to contribute in Texas. 

Flowers in a Different Light

In the quest for pollinators, plants really pull out the stops, producing flowers with powerful scents, elaborate structures, and dramatic colors -- including in parts of the light spectrum that humans can't see but that insects and other pollinators can. Learn and see how that works in this piece for Wildflower Magazine

Wildlife on the Border

Official borders may be a big deal to humans, but not for wild creatures. Along the Texas-Mexico border, for example, animals like ­ocelots, beavers, and black bears rely on habitat in both countries. Read more in this piece for Texas Highways. 

Elusive Eels in Texas

 Scientists are working to track down the various (and somewhat bizarre) life stages of eels in Texas waters. Read more in this piece for Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine. 

The Trost Hotels of West Texas

El Paso architecture firm Trost & Trost designed hundreds of buildings throughout the Southwest in the early 1900s, including four famous West Texas hotels: Hotel Paso del Norte in El Paso, Hotel Paisano in Marfa, Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn, and The Gage Hotel in Marathon. Read more about them here. 

Trouble in paradise

Gray whales are struggling off the Pacific Coast. Scientists are trying to figure out why and what to do about it. Read more here. 

Green roofs are cool. Really cool.

As heat waves increase due to climate change, research shows that green roofs could help cool off our cities. Read more about how they work here.