Ages 8 and up | Volunteer Event

with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s Citizen Science DNA Barcode Network

Join other citizen scientists to collect Long Island insects for DNA sequencing!

In this three hour event, participants will familiarize themselves with the biodiversity of Jones Beach, with a focus on local ant, beetle, and mosquito groups.

Attendees will be introduced to how DNA barcoding can be used to identify species, and will obtain, document, and preserve specimens for DNA isolation at future events. Collection and identification of these insects helps improve their range maps and can show how species are responding to environmental pressures such as global climate change.