Citizen Science
Monarch Larva Monitoring Project
Every year, the zoo participates in the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP), a citizen science initiative led by the Monarch Joint Venture and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum.
Conservation Science and Learning staff observe milkweed plants within the zoo’s gardens weekly, on the lookout for various stages of monarch butterfly larva.
Data collected through this project contributes to better understanding the distribution and abundance of breeding monarchs to inform monarch conservation across the nation.
Project FeederWatch
November through April, we participate in Project FeederWatch, led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This citizen science initiative takes place across North America and encourages participants to survey birds that visit backyards, nature centers, and community centers.
You can join us in participating, even without a feeder!
Habitat Hero with John Ball Zoo
We’re working with our partners at John Ball Zoo in Michigan to help our guests become Habitat Heroes by engaging in restoring and protecting native habitat through education, awareness, and direct action. Through this initiative, we are working to provide native plants at no cost to community members to create healthy habitat corridors not just here in Delaware, but across the nation.
In 2025, with the help of Delaware State Parks, we were able to give away 250 milkweed plants across the state of Delaware!
Contribute to Science with the Snap of a Picture
Each year, The Brandywine Zoo hosts multiple BioBlitz style citizen science projects on the iNaturalist platform. iNaturalist allows individuals across the globe to share and contribute data such as images and sound files to contribute to research initiatives. Check out our upcoming or ongoing studies below!
Delaware State Parks 75th Anniversary Natural Heritage Survey
Celebrate a legacy 75 years in the making by collecting important biological data across Delaware State Parks!
From the first protected lands to today, the Delaware State Parks mission remains the same: to provide safe, enjoyable recreation, responsibly care for Delaware’s natural and cultural resources, and connect people with nature for generations to come. You can be a part of this legacy by contributing to our 75th Anniversary Natural Heritage Survey! This survey will take place all year long, collecting important biodiversity data across each of Delaware’s State Parks to build a record of biological data in our historic anniversary year.
This Natural Heritage Survey uses crowdsourced data through images, audio files, and more to help us to document data about plant and animal communities that can be tracked over time and allow us to continue to protect habitats in the places that you love for the next 75 years to come and beyond.
Delaware Invasive Plant Watch
Ongoing year-round
Help us track emerging invasive plants in the state of Delaware. This is a collaboration between the Brandywine Zoo, the Delaware Invasive Species Council, and you! We are looking for reports of several “up and coming” invasive plant species in Delaware. Tracking these emerging threats will help prevent these non-native species from being big infestations in the future.
Programs & Workshops
If you want to help us make a difference, check out our Citizen Science focused programs or workshops!
Parks for Pollinators Walk
Tuesday, September 1, 9-10:30am
Meet with Conservation Science and Learning staff at the zoo’s Education Building to learn about how to participate in our Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz, followed by a guided walk in Brandywine Park. Observations that you make during this program will contribute to pollinator conservation efforts!
Registration is required for this free program by emailing [email protected] or calling 302-407-4407.
Pollinator Party!
Monday, September 14, 10-11am
We are throwing a pollinator party! Join Zoo education staff for a storybook with snacks, a pollinator craft, and a “bug walk” in gardens around our Education Building to look for pollinators. This program will take place from 10-11am and is designed for children ages 2 to 5 and their guardian. Zoo admission is not included.
RSVP by emailing [email protected].
Brandywine Zoo Litter Getters!
Monday, September 7, Sunday, October 25, & Saturday, November 14; 9-10:30am
Join Brandywine Zoo Staff for monthly litter cleanups around our part of Wilmington. Through citizen science, you will collect data about what we find that is later submitted to the Ocean Conservancy! Gloves, bags, and litter pickers will be provided. Please wear closed-toed shoes and comfortable clothing. You are welcome to bring a reusable water bottle and your own gloves. Meeting location: Education Building.
Questions? Email [email protected]
