News Articles
Contribute to climate change and COVID-19 research from your home
Contribute to climate change and COVID-19 research from your home read more
First sub-alpine ClimateWatch trail in Victoria
First sub-alpine ClimateWatch trail in Victoria read more
ClimateWatch & BCCVL Species Distribution Models
Earthwatch has worked with the Biodiversity and Climate Change Virtual Laboratory (BCCVL) in developing maps for the current, future and range-change predicted habitat suitability of 141 terrestrial ClimateWatch species. read more
ClimateWatch and the Sustainable Development Goals
How ClimateWatch is contributing to the SDGs read more
ClimateWatch in Parks Program news
Training educators and community members at their local trail sites as part of our new ClimateWatch in Parks initiative read more
ClimateWatch Online Toolkit
Earthwatch has developed version 1 of its online ClimateWatch Toolkit read more
Using citizen science to monitor climate change impacts in Western Sydney
New partnership with Cumberland Land Conservancy read more
ClimateWatch during National Biodiversity Month
ClimateWatch species featured daily during National Biodiversity Month read more
Android's change in permissions affects camera access - How to fix it
Android's change in permission requirements affects the ClimateWatch app's ability to access camera - Here's how to fix it read more
Darwin ClimateWatch Trail at East Point Reserve
City of Darwin partners with Earthwatch to launch the first ClimateWatch trail in Northern Territory read more
ClimateWatch in Parks Program
Earthwatch is partnering with Parks Victoria, connecting and training school teachers and community groups to monitor local plants and animals through the ClimateWatch app and free ClimateWatch curriculum resources. read more
WA ClimateWatcher spots Orchard Swallowtail butterfly well outside of its east coast range
The Orchard Swallowtail is a large butterfly found along eastern Australia, from Cape York in northern Queensland to South Australia, but is rare in southern Victoria and South Australia as it prefers more humid tropical and subtropical conditions. A recent ClimateWatch sighting recorded by Chelsea Hopkins-Allan in Albany, Western Australia, raises the question, how did the butterfly make it across the Nullabor to our western state?! read more
ClimateWatch trails on Google Maps
Through regularly walking a ClimateWatch trail and recording what you see, you can discover what is happening in your local environment and contribute to our national program. Find a ClimateWatch trail near you on Google Maps read more
Media Release: ClimateWatch re-launch event
Improved ClimateWatch technology is being launched on Tuesday 20 March at the State Library of Victoria showcasing the value of the program to scientists, educators, land managers and the wider community. read more
ClimateWatch upgrade: successful
ClimateWatch upgrade: successful read more
ClimateWatch Upgrade and Scheduled System Downtime: 2 Jan 2018
ClimateWatch Upgrade and Scheduled System Downtime: 2 Jan 2018 read more
Celebrate National Biodiversity Month with ClimateWatch!
Celebrate National Biodiversity Month with ClimateWatch! read more
ClimateWatch is now on Instagram!
A new way we're connecting with you users. read more
Win for ClimateWatch and EAGA Biodiversity Monitoring Project at 2016 Victorian Premier's Sustainability Awards
The City of Boroondara, on behalf of the Eastern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (EAGA), has won the Government category in this year's Premier's Sustainability Awards for their program Biodiversity Monitoring in Melbourne's East. Key outcomes from the project included development of ClimateWatch trails in the Cities of Monash, Knox and Stonnington. read more
Launch of Albury Botanic Gardens ClimateWatch Trail in the news!
On Wednesday 31 Aug 2016, the city of Albury launched their ClimateWatch trail in the Albury Botanic Gardens! read more
Living on the Edge - Help us raise funds for the White Lemuroid Ringtail Possum
Together with Edge Pledge, Earthwatch is raising funds this September to support Australian wildlife on the brink of extinction. Help us raise funds for the Lemuroid Ringtail Possum. read more
April 2016 - Inspiring Citizen Science at Illawarra EEC
ClimateWatch: Inspiring Citizen Science at Illawarra EEC read more
April 2016; Warringah Council Citizen Science program; Nature Watch Week.
Warringah Council is running their first ever Citizen Science program, called Nature Watch Week. Help record local wildlife and go in the draw to win prizes up to the value of $200. read more
TERN partners with Earthwatch to launch new citizen science ClimateWatch trail in FNQ
TERN’s Australian SuperSite Network is teaming up with Earthwatch on their national ClimateWatch trails and together have just launched a new trail at Tinaroo Environmental Education Centre (TEEC)—a state government-run centre in far-north Queensland with a 25 year history of providing education on land care, outdoor pursuits and sustainability. read more
Locals help collect climate change data in Melbourne
A feature on our Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria ClimateWatch trail presented by Victoria Knauf of The City Journal read more
Australia's flying nomads
Scientists have gained new insights into the life of a nomadic Australian waterbird, whose ability to know it has rained up to thousands of kilometres away has intrigued researchers for generations. read more
What is "Sprummer"?
Dr Tim Entwisle's latest publication introduces an alternative to the traditional four season model to describe unique Australian seasonality. read more
Green Thumbs Up
ClimateWatch program recognised as a leader on the issue of climate change in the 2014 Green Globe Awards. read more
Bug city life
New research from the University of Sydney has found that spiders living in the city grow larger and breed better than their country relatives. read more
National Science Week roundup
ClimateWatch was featured in more than five National Science Week events this year. read more
Smartphone science
Mobile tech gives citizen scientists the edge in data collection for small budget, big scope projects. read more
Happy National Science Week!
It's National Science Week and ClimateWatch is joining the party! read more
Newspaper article: Citizen scientists with ears out for early warbles
ClimateWatch featured in a news article last weekend about citizen science. read more
Tropical fish head south for a feast
New research from The University of New South Wales (UNSW) has found that tropical fish are migrating further south, posing a serious threat to the cooler marine environments. read more
ClimateWatch on the radio
ClimateWatch was featured on the ABC Science Show last month - here is the audio file and a transcript of the conversation! read more
Calling all coders! We need your help
We are looking for passionate programmers to help us upgrade the ClimateWatch website. read more
How to be a good ClimateWatcher
Use this handy guide to ensure your observations are the most useful for scientific research. read more
Australian birds at risk from climate change
A new book from CSIRO Publishing has identified the 250 Australian birds that are most at risk from climate change. read more
Join a ClimateWatch quest!
ClimateWatch has teamed up with Questagame to develop Questabird, a mobile phone game that sends you on quests to find bird and insect species. The more species you find, the more gold you earn! read more
ClimateWatch meets royalty
ClimateWatch trails in Melbourne and Sydney have had a lot of traffic in the past month. Guided walks were run during National Volunteer Week, and the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens was visited by a Princess! read more
Phenology sightings play a key role in new US Climate Assessment
The latest National Climate Assessment for the United States was released last month. Kevin Grunewald explores the crucial role that phenology observations played in the new assessment. read more
Earthwatch Alumni comes to Perth
We invite all ClimateWatchers to attend our Earthwatch Alumni event in Perth next week. Come for afternoon tea or attend a free guided ClimateWatch trail read more
Dr Volker Framenau answers your questions
Dr Volker Framenau answers two very different spidery questions. read more
ClimateWatch data quality control process
As the ClimateWatch data become publicly available through the Atlas of Living Australia, this article outlines the quality control process that all sightings go through before being uploaded. read more
Latest in citizen science
Citizen science programs received a lot of attention in online and scientific publications this month! Here is a brief wrap up of the buzz. read more
Oceans Connected: linking citizen science across the sea
Oceans Connected is an exciting project that aims to link marine citizen science projects on a global level. read more
Lisa Cawthen answers your questions
Victorian bats versus Tasmanian bats, and how to attract bats to your backyard. Our mammal expert Lisa Cawthen answers your questions. read more
May Scientist of the Month: Volker Framenau
Dr Volker Framenau is one of Australia's leading arachnologists, and is passionate about conserving our spiders and other invertebrates. Ask him a question today. read more
Guided ClimateWatch trails in Sydney and Melbourne
Guided ClimateWatch walks are running at the Sydney and Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens in May. Come along for a free tour of the gardens and see autumn in full swing. read more
What's your genus?
You may have noticed some changes in the scientific names of our ClimateWatch species in the past month. ClimateWatch volunteer Sapna Kumar investigates why scientific names change, even though the creature itself does not. read more
IPCC impacts report released
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released the second part of its Fifth Assessment report earlier this month, focussing on the impacts and risks of climate change. Here we outline what the report means for Australia’s biodiversity. read more
ClimateWatch now available on the Atlas of Living Australia
ClimateWatch observations have started to be uploaded to the Atlas of Living Australia, the national biodiversity database. You can now map, plot, explore and download the ClimateWatch dataset. read more
Dr Marie Keatley answers your questions
Dr Marie Keatley explains why the silver banksia was chosen as a ClimateWatch indicator species read more
March Scientist of the month: Lisa Cawthen
Lisa is a wildlife ecologist with a passion for all mammals, but particularly bats. read more
ClimateWatch reaches 10,000 users
ClimateWatch reached a big milestone last month with its 10,000th user read more
Scientists use the speed of climate change to predict biodiversity changes
Exciting new research allows visualisation of climate change challenges for species read more
Groundhog Day tradition predicts long winter in the United States
New Earthwatch Science Intern Kevin Grunewald brings American culture and wildlife insight to ClimateWatch read more
February Scientist of the Month: Dr Marie Keatley
Marie Keatley is a plant ecologist from The University of Melbourne, and has been involved in ClimateWatch since it first began. read more
Australia's mysterious Night Parrot rediscovered
One of the world's rarest birds, the Night Parrot, has been rediscovered in western Queensland. read more
A welcome to the new ClimateWatch manager
ClimateWatch is delighted to announce the appointment of Ms Linden Ashcroft as the new Program Manager commencing January 20th 2014. Her key role will be to facilitate and expand the community engagement and scientific outcomes for ClimateWatch. read more
January Scientist of the Month: Dr. Lynda Chambers
Lynda is a zoologist and climatologist based at the Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research (Australian Bureau of Meteorology). read more
Farewell but not goodbye to Kristine Nga, the Program Manager of ClimateWatch
ClimateWatch would like to acknowledge and bid farewell to Kristine Nga after a rewarding stewardship with the program as she heads back home to sunny California, USA end of this month. read more
Climatewatching in Parks
ClimateWatch is proud to announce a new partnership with Parks Victoria. read more
New birds to monitor at the RBG Melbourne ClimateWatch Trail
New birds to monitor at the RBG Melbourne ClimateWatch Trail read more
New ClimateWatch trail at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, NSW
New ClimateWatch trail at the Australian National Botanic Garden Mt. Annan, NSW read more
New ClimateWatch trail in Marramarra National Park
New ClimateWatch trail in Marramarra National Park read more
November Scientist of the Month: Dr. Steve Smith
Steve is a marine biologist based at Southern Cross University’s National Marine Science Centre. read more
Phenological Changes in the Southern Hemisphere
Changes in the timing of important life-cycle stages of plants and animals, such as flowering, breeding and migration, have provided some of the strongest evidence of climate change impacts on our natural and managed systems. read more
October scientist of the month: Dr. David Booth
Dr. David Booth is a Profess or Marine Ecology and the Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee, Sydney Institute of Marine Science. read more
ClimateWatch- Finalist in the 2013 Premier's Sustainability Awards
It is with great excitement to announce that ClimateWatch has been named a Finalist in this year's Premier's Sustainability Awards. read more
September Scientist of the month: Dr. Nicola Mitchell
Introducing the scientist of the month, Dr. Nicola Mitchell read more
Is it time to put away our jumpers?
Reports are showing that spring is coming earlier this year. read more
August Scientist of the month: Dr. Dave Schoeman
Introducing the scientist of the month, Dr. Dave Schoeman read more
Welcome Back Students
March not only signifies the start of autumn but also the return to school. read more
Kristine joins the ClimateWatch team
Kristine is a recent postgraduate from the University of Melbourne and the new Program Coordinator read more
Appreciating the history of the WA Christmas Tree while recording for ClimateWatch
Ben Quaife and Paul Ashbolt from The University of Western Australia appreciate the historical and cultural importance of the WA Christmas Tree read more
Humpbacks on the move
Humpback whales have started their southern migration and can be spotted off the west and east coast. ClimateWatch Marine is collaborating with Conservation Volunteers on The Woodside Community Whale Monitoring project; a pilot study using Citizen Science to capture data on whale sightings in order to get a better picture of whale movements and engage the community with these amazing migratory marine species. read more
UWA students recognise the benefits of participating in ClimateWatch
Two biology students Nadia Sloan and Farley Kwok Van Der Giezen from UWA reflect on their experiences with the ClimateWatch program read more
Display your data using the ALA Spatial Portal
You can now download your data in CSV files. This screencast demonstrates how to display your data using the Atlas of Living Australia's Spatial Portal. read more
ClimateWatch is a Banksia Awards 2012 Finalist
ClimateWatch has had some exciting news with the recent announcement of being a finalist in the 2012 Banksia awards for education. read more
How to record multiple phenophases
Often plants are showing more than one behaviour. This screencast demonstrates how to record these in a single observation. read more
Aisling joins the ClimateWatch team
Aisling Fontanini is a Science Communication Student from UWA interviewing students to publish a series of articles. read more
Listening for frogs after dark
Its not all textbooks and lectures for first year students studying Aquatic Systems at Curtin University. read more
New ClimateWatch trail for Canberra
A ClimateWatch trail is now at the Australian National Botanic Garden, Canberra. read more
Champions take on trails around Australia
Inspire action by becoming a ClimateWatch champion. read more
Discover hidden treasures buried at the Australian Museum in the comfort of your own home!
Help rediscover handwritten expedition diaries written by 19th and 20th Century Naturalists by joining a new citizen science program. Through participating, you'll be able to view beautiful drawings and paintings of many different Australian invertebrate specimens. read more
Climate change downsizing plants and animals
When it comes to ClimateWatch, timing is everything. We are asking you to record observations like calling and nesting that indicate the timing of reproductive cycles to discover how climate change is shifting these events. read more
Whale watching with Kirra Morton
Kirra Morton is a Research Associate with the Centre for Whale Research. She is out on the water every day with Oceanic Cruises providing interpretation for visitors during their whale watching experience and explaining what to record for ClimateWatch Marine read more
Bush Rangers WA Cadets explore the Marlee Reserve Trail
Bush Rangers WA Cadets from Mandurah Senior College visited the new ClimateWatch trail at Marlee Reserve recently to learn about climate change. read more
Spring is here!
As we turn the calendar to September, the fact that Spring is here may cross your mind. read more
Q&A with UWA Student Pete Dunstan
Since their first lab session in August, UWA students have been active recording observations around Perth and the South West. This month we have a short Q & A with one of the students, Pete Dunstan. read more
A couple of firsts
Spring is an exciting time for ClimateWatching with lots of species active across the country. Even though I have been working on the program fulltime for more than 18 months I am still excited when I get to experience new things. read more
University biology students become ClimateWatchers
First year biology students at the University of Western Australia (UWA) now have ClimateWatch integrated into their course work. read more
Quinns Rocks Environmental Group Create a Trail
Quinns Rocks Environmental Group is one of the first volunteer conservation groups to create a ClimateWatch trail. The trail at Gumblossum Reserve was launched on 6 August with a workshop for members. read more
What to record in August
With the end of winter approaching and as the weather starts to warm up, there are many ClimateWatch species to keep an eye out for. read more
First ClimateWatch Trail for the east coast at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney
Over the past few months, ClimateWatch staff have been working with staff and volunteers at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney to develop a ClimateWatch trail around the Garden. Many more species field guides have been produced (see species list below) and a Recording Sheet has been developed for the trail. read more
ClimateWatch report published
The Federal Government's Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) provided initial funding for ClimateWatch. This helped fund the first three years of development of the program, from 2007 - 2010. read more
ClimateWatch by day - Night Stalk by night
Do you know all of the animals that come out in the light of the moon around your neighbourhood? Explore your local natural area and its resident animals on any night (or every night!) between 1 September and 16 October by participating in a Tiwest Night Stalk. It’s easy to do – all you need is a torch, a Spotter's Log, a keen eye and a sense of adventure! It’s free to participate and great fun. read more
ClimateWatch featured on Scope
ClimateWatch featured on a special Citizen Science episode of Scope on Channel 10. If you missed seeing it on TV you can watch the video here.Part 1 read more
ClimateWatching Leighton Contractors Staff
Leighton Contractors staff have been getting involved in ClimateWatch through two special events in Perth. read more
ClimateWatch to be profiled at international conference
Manly Environment Centre is hosting an 'International Conference of Eco Ideas' from 8 - 11 September 2011. read more
What to record in July
Starting this month we will have an article for each newsletter highlighting species that are starting to appear, flower or nest. So you can start looking out for new species you have not previously recorded on or it's a reminder to start watching your favourites. read more
An Interview with ClimateWatch scientists Dr Lynda Chambers and Dr Marie Keatley
Dr Lynda Chambers and Dr Marie Keatley took some time to speak with ClimateWatch about the initiative, its importance, and how citizen scientists are able to help with the research on climate change impact. read more
Bees put to test over climate change
Over the coming months, in each eNews, we’ll feature websites from across the globe to help notify you of other sites full of useful climate watch information, including some seemingly bizarre ways in which scientists study the effects of climate change on our ecosystems. read more
Whale Watching Wonders: An Interview with Marine Biologist Megan Kessler
Megan Kessler is a marine scientist from Macquarie University, Sydney who is currently completing her PhD on the effectiveness of whale watching guidelines in Australia and overseas. read more
Phenology and Citizen Science in the USA
Phenology research is happening around the world. In this article from Bioscience, Mark Schwartz describes how his research into spring lilac blooming informs climate models and Jake Weltzin talks about the USA's National Phenology Network. read more
ClimateWatch Marine launched!
On 8 June 2011, ClimateWatch Marine was launched in Perth, WA. Building on the existing suite of ClimateWatch indicator species, ClimateWatch Marine has added four iconic whale species to the program; humpback whales, southern right whales, pygmy blue whales and orcas (killer whales). read more
Look for new semi-arid species
To engage ClimateWatchers across the Pilbara and other semi-arid inland regions 13 new species have been added to ClimateWatch. The additions include 1 frog, 1 reptile, 1 butterfly, 7 plants and 3 birds. Check out the species pages and start recording on the ones in your area. read more
Hundreds of new ClimateWatchers in the Pilbara
Hundreds of children are enthralled in observing their backyard environments after Earthwatch Australia took to the Pilbara at the start of June in search of local ClimateWatchers.  read more
Bird Watching and Plant Spotting at Sandhurst, VIC
Bird watching and plant spotting at the golfing residential suburb of Sandhurst in Victoria.ClimateWatch has been promoted to the community of Sandhurst in Victoria, by The Hon. Mark Dreyfus MP, Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister and Cabinet and Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and Richard Gilmore, Executive Director of Earthwatch Australia, on the 27 May 2011. read more
ClimateWatch Trail launched for Parliament House in Canberra
Bird watching and plant spotting were on the Federal Parliamentary Agenda in Canberra yesterday with the launch of a ClimateWatch Trail for Parliament House and the Capital Hill Precinct.The Hon. Mark Dreyfus MP, Cabinet Secretary to Prime Minister and Cabinet and Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, officially launching the ClimateWatch Trail read more
Local governments are encouraged to get involved and promote Citizen Science
In order to develop community understanding of climate change, Earthwatch Australia recognises the importance of getting local governments involved in promoting citizen science. read more
Phenology in the north, challenges in the south
In this video David Cantrill, Chief Botanist, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne explains what scientists know about phenology in the northern hemisphere and describes the challenges we face in monitoring changes in Australia. read more
Start monitoring pines in Tasmania
ClimateWatch Program Manager Rich Weatherill met with two staff from the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment to learn about the Tasmanian Climate Change Monitoring Program and why these species are good ClimateWatch indicators. read more
Bat listening results: October - December 2010
The White-striped Bat is one of the largest insectivorous microbats in Australia. Here we share the results from our bat listening event in 2010. read more
Listen here - who’s moaning about the rains!
As you fling open your windows to enjoy the cool relief of the first rains of autumn, you may also hear another Perth resident heralding the start of the wet season. The familiar long slow moan of our local burrowing frog will be heard in gardens, parks and wetlands around the metropolitan area. read more
Frequently Asked Questions at Piney Lakes Reserve
Penny Musgrove is the Environmental Education Officer at Piney Lakes Reserve. She has been running ClimateWatch walks with a number of groups and often gets asked questions. Here are some of the most common questions and answers from Penny. read more
Volunteers clock up 100 observations over the summer break
While most of us were putting our feet up and relaxing over the break, over 60 volunteers joined in a series of guided ClimateWatch walks around Sydney, to observe and record ClimateWatch species. read more
Learning to fly - Volunteer experience
I was in my local park recently and saw two magpies teaching their babies how to fly. Normally, I would probably notice it briefly in passing and then move on, but being part of ClimateWatch gave me an excuse to sit down and really take note of what was going on. read more
Launch of the first ClimateWatch Trail at Piney Lakes Reserve
The first ClimateWatch trail has been launched at Piney Lakes Reserve in Western Australia. read more
Confessions of a Nuytsia floribunda spotting addict
The WA Christmas Tree is iconic, easy to recognise and has a spectacular flowering event. read more
Why do you volunteer with ClimateWatch?
As part of a research study at The University of Western Australia, we are asking volunteers to complete a simple, short online survey. read more
Frog talks to computer!
I have been recording observations for ClimateWatch on a Striped Marsh Frog in my backyard pond for over a year now. The other day however, I was struck by a different call coming from the pond that I wasn't familiar with. read more
Conservation Week and 25 new WA indicator species.
ClimateWatch has been featured in Conservation Week activities in WA. read more
Gaia Resources wins award for ClimateWatch recording system
We are pleased to announce that ClimateWatch Technical Partner, Gaia Resources has won an award for ClimateWatch at the WA Spatial Excellence Awards. read more
Scientist Q and A - Dr Tim Entwisle
We ask Dr Tim Entwisle, Executive Director of the Botanic Gardens Trust, Sydney, a few questions about the changing seasons and ClimateWatch. read more
Swooped by Magpie!
Andy Donnelly from Earthwatch writes about his ClimateWatching experience while on his way to work. read more
Australian Magpie
Most people know the Australian Magpie, an infamous black and white bird well-known for swooping passers-by during its breeding season. read more
What ClimateWatchers are recording
There has been a very encouraging response to ClimateWatch with nearly 2,000 records being submitted into the database already. Here's a summary of what's been recorded so far. read more
Butterflies linked to climate change
As Melbourne warms, the city's butterflies are emerging at least 10 days earlier in spring than they did in 1945, according to research that reveals for the first time a casual link between increasing greenhouse gases, the city's warming environment and the timing of a natural event. read more
ClimateWatch-ing in your backyard!
You don't need to be out and about in your local park or bushland reserve to be a ClimateWatcher. As Jan Maitland discovered, some of the indicator species may be right at your doorstep! read more
Grey Fantail
Weighing in at only 6-9g this small, but very active, fantail provides hours of entertainment as it tumbles, twists, loops, dives and almost turns itself inside out in the pursuit of insect prey. read more
Did you know?
One of the earliest known phenological records for the Flame Robin in Victoria is its arrival at Scott's Creek, Coden - from 1897 to 1902. read more
ClimateWatch now in Western Australia
Earthwatch Australia has launched their new ClimateWatch program in WA with Minister for the Environment Donna Faragher becoming Western Australia's first ClimateWatch user. read more
Making your data count!
Since ClimateWatch was launched in September 2009, there has been a very encouraging response to people wanting to be involved. But there's a lot more to be done. read more
ClimateWatch at Copenhagen
Representatives from Earthwatch attended the COP15 United Nations Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, held from the 7 - 18 December 2009 and helped profile ClimateWatch during the summit. read more