March 2025 Community Science Volunteer Opportunities in Boise Area
What is community science? In a nutshell, community science projects are opportunities where you get to participate a scientific study, without requiring a degree to participate. The neat thing about studies, is they are always happening, even near your own Boise backyard. Studies aren’t only done on the African savanas or far out on the ocean. Things are being discovered about the local plants and animals around you every day! Ever wished you could spend a day with scientists to see what it is like? Ever wondered just how you can get experience doing a job like this one day? Check back here, where I’ll regularly share volunteer opportunities around the Treasure Valley that you can participate in.
Does your organization have an civilian science project you’d like me to share? Contact me and we’ll spread the word on your good work!
Orma J. Smith Museum of Natural History Assistant
Phase 1 Difficulty -This location has ramps, handicapped parking, parking nearby the building that the volunteering is held within, has little to no need to lift or bend. Age recommendation for volunteers high school and above, for concentration and preciseness required.
Opportunities at Orma J Smith of Natural History includes work with their collections of insects, fossils, rocks, fish and art on site. If you’d like to learn more about local experts, projects,and gain museum volunteer experience, this is a fantastic place to check out!
Volunteers are currently directed to one of several projects to archive their insect collection. Love bugs but aren’t confident in identification? Or don’t want to touch specimens? No fear there’s still things you can do! Labels to cut, drawers to organize and more.
For those more committed to participate regularly, there is a teaching program on the identification of bees! Several hundreds of previously unidentified species of Idaho native bees need to be named and specimens need prepared for identification. It’s an exciting time to be a community science volunteer!
March 1st at College of Idaho in the Boone Hall between 10 am and 3 pm with a 12 to 1 break for lunch and a free lecture. If you are interested in learning more about these opportunities check out their official list here!
Native Plant Restoration and Planting Opportunities
Phase 3 Difficulty– These opportunities involve going out to different Wildlife Management Areas and will include a lot of digging, twisting, and planting.
Bitterbrush Restoration
Every Saturday throughout March the Fish and Game will need volunteer assistance to plant some Bitterbrush in wildlife management areas. Bitterbrush is a vital food source for several species of game and is also enjoyed by range livestock.
March 8th There is a carpool provided at 8:30 AM to take volunteers from the Columbia Village Albertsons parking lot to the location, email the Fish and Game SW Volunteer Program for further details, times, and tools to bring.
March 15th The following week there will again be provided a carpool provided at 8:30 AM to take volunteers from the Columbia Village Albertsons parking lot to the location, email the Fish and Game SW Volunteer Program for further details, times, and tools to bring.
March 22nd The following week there will again be provided a carpool provided at 8:30 AM to take volunteers from the Columbia Village Albertsons parking lot to the location, email the Fish and Game SW Volunteer Program for further details, times, and tools to bring.
March 29th The following week there will again be provided a carpool provided at 8:30 AM to take volunteers from the Columbia Village Albertsons parking lot to the location, email the Fish and Game SW Volunteer Program for further details, times, and tools to bring.
And that’s the ones I know about! To find out if there are more upcoming opportunities in areas you are most interested in check out this page where I’m creating a growing list of great organizations to volunteer with!
Stay wild, never dull.
