LiMPETS (Long-term Monitoring Program and Experiential Training for Students) is a citizen science program that monitors the coastal ecosystems of California and helps youth develop a scientific understanding of the ocean. LiMPETS monitors the biology in rocky intertidal and sandy beach ecosystems and aims to provide publicly accessible, scientifically sound, long-term data to inform marine resource management and the scientific community. LiMPETS is for school groups, informal education centers, and community organizations serving students from the 6th to the 12th grade. Teachers and educational leaders need to participate in a workshop to join the program.  Offices are in San Francisco, Monterey, and Santa Barbara and work is typically conducted within 50 miles of those locations (although they have other accommodations for exceptions).

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Citizen and community science is scientific research conducted, in whole or in part, by nonprofessional scientists. Citizen and community science is sometimes described as public participation in scientific research, participatory monitoring, or participatory action research. Its outcomes are often advancements in scientific research, as well as an increase in the public's understanding of science. Four common features of citizen and community science practice are: (a) anyone can participate, (b) participants use the same protocols so that data can be combined and is of high quality, (c) data can help real scientists come to real conclusions, and (d) a wide community of scientists and volunteers work together and share data to which the public, as well as scientists, have access. View more resources in the Citizen and Community Science PRO Picks collection >

Education is essential to help people of all ages understand climate change and take informed action to prevent it and mitigate impacts. The U.S. Global Change Research Program worked with myriad agencies and organizations to develop Climate Literacy: Essential Principles of Climate Sciences which identifies the knowledge and abilities individuals and communities need to make informed and responsible decisions about actions that impact our climate.  Use the resources below to help build our collective climate literacy. View more resources in the Climate Change PRO Picks collection >