What follows is something bigger: a discovery and a need for a deeper understanding of nature just outside the front door.

During Citizen Science Month, researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are highlighting a shift in how scientists think about public participation in research and how people experience nature, benefiting them in ways they never realized.

"Citizen science is no longer just about collecting data. It is a learning pathway that is transforming how people learn to see the natural world," said Corey Callaghan, assistant professor of global ecology at the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center. "We're helping people move from being passive observers to active contributors by building the skills and confidence to engage with biodiversity in a meaningful way."

That shift from casual observation to informed curiosity is at the heart of a series of Ask IFAS Extension publications designed to teach people how to "see like an ecologist." The resources guide participants in identifying plants and animals, capturing high-quality images for scientific use, and understanding what makes an observation valuable to researchers.

"When you make an observation, you're not just submitting data—you're learning in real time," said Brittany Mason, a data management analyst at the center. "You get immediate feedback, you see what others are finding, and over time, you start to recognize patterns—seasonal changes, species distributions, even environmental shifts."