Community Resources
Contribute to real scientific research from your backyard. Platforms for biodiversity, weather, environmental monitoring, water quality, and pollution tracking — including SGV-specific tools.
Featured
CalEnviroScreen — Environmental Justice Mapping
FeaturedCalifornia's environmental justice screening tool. Identify communities most burdened by pollution and least able to respond. Essential for SGV environmental advocacy.
SGV Water Quality Guide
FeaturedVisionSt48's comprehensive guide to water contamination in the San Gabriel Valley — chromium-6, PFAS, 1,4-dioxane, perchlorate, and more. Includes EWG data, home testing options, filter recommendations, and SGV Superfund context.
EWG Tap Water Database
FeaturedEnter your zip code to see what contaminants are in your local tap water. Compares detected levels against EWG health guidelines — often 10–500x stricter than legal limits. Essential for SGV residents.
CalEnviroScreen — Pollution Burden Map
FeaturedCalifornia's environmental justice screening tool. See which communities bear the greatest pollution burden — SGV communities rank among the most burdened in the state. Data-driven advocacy tool.
AirNow (EPA)
FeaturedReal-time Air Quality Index (AQI) for your zip code. Shows PM2.5, ozone, and overall air quality with color-coded health guidance. Essential daily check for SGV residents, especially during wildfire season and summer ozone peaks.
SGV Air Quality Guide
FeaturedVisionSt48's comprehensive guide to air quality in the San Gabriel Valley. Covers PM2.5, ozone, wildfire smoke, diesel exhaust from the 10/60/210 freeways, and protection strategies. Part of the Project Water Rights environmental justice suite.
All Resources
iNaturalist
Citizen ScienceOne of the world's most popular citizen science platforms. Record observations of plants, animals, and fungi. AI-powered identification helps you learn while contributing to global biodiversity research.
Zooniverse
Citizen ScienceThe world's largest platform for people-powered research. Contribute to real scientific projects in astronomy, ecology, history, and more — no special skills required.
eBird — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Citizen ScienceLog your bird sightings and contribute to one of the largest biodiversity databases in the world. Real-time maps, hotspot guides, and species alerts for birders of all levels.
GLOBE Observer — NASA
Citizen ScienceCollect environmental observations for NASA scientists. Measure clouds, land cover, trees, and mosquito habitats. Your data helps validate satellite measurements.
SciStarter — Citizen Science Project Finder
Citizen ScienceDiscover over 3,000 citizen science projects you can join. Filter by topic, location, and activity type. Perfect for finding projects that match your interests and schedule.
Merlin Bird ID — Cornell Lab
Citizen ScienceFree app that identifies birds by sight or sound. Point your phone at a bird or record its song and get instant identification powered by machine learning.
CoCoRaHS — Community Weather Network
Citizen ScienceCommunity Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network. Measure and report daily precipitation from your backyard. Data is used by the National Weather Service and researchers.
Galaxy Zoo — Classify Galaxies
Citizen ScienceHelp astronomers classify millions of galaxies captured by the Hubble Space Telescope. Your classifications help scientists understand how galaxies form and evolve.
Foldit — Protein Folding Game
Citizen ScienceSolve puzzles to help scientists understand protein folding — a key challenge in medicine and biology. Players have made real scientific discoveries through gameplay.
OpenFarm — Crop Growing Database
Citizen ScienceA free and open database for growing food. Find growing guides for hundreds of crops, share your own knowledge, and connect with growers in your climate zone.
Tap Score — Home Water Testing
Citizen ScienceMail-to-lab water testing kits that test for 100+ contaminants including PFAS, chromium-6, VOCs, and heavy metals. Certified labs, detailed results with health context. Recommended for SGV residents.
PurpleAir — Hyperlocal Air Monitoring
Citizen ScienceCommunity-operated sensor network providing hyperlocal PM2.5 data. Find sensors near your home for real-time neighborhood-level readings. Especially valuable in the SGV where pollution varies block by block near freeways.
SCAQMD Air Quality Alerts
Citizen ScienceSouth Coast Air Quality Management District alerts for the SGV. Sign up for email or SMS notifications for Ozone and PM2.5 advisories. The SCAQMD regulates air quality across the SGV and issues health advisories.
Know a resource we should add?
The Creative Council reviews community submissions monthly. All resources are vetted before being added to the library.