LIMPETS: Long-term Monitoring Program and Experiential Training for Students

Student Scientists on our Sanctuary Shores

Get Involved

Who can participate?

We work with many different types of school groups, informal environmental education and community organizations. The majority of our participants are high school teachers and students.

What is involved?

  1. Training: Teachers or group leaders complete a training by the local LiMPETS coordinator.
  2. Preparation: Everyone should learn to correctly identify algae and invertebrates and practice the monitoring methods used in the field.
  3. Monitoring: We recommend that you explore your monitoring site and practice the monitoring techniques at least once before monitoring begins. How frequently should you monitor? That’s up to you. Some participants monitor only once per year. Others monitor monthly.
  4. Data Entry: After data is collected, enter your data online.
  5. Analysis: Develop research questions and use the online graphing tools to analyze results.
  6. Communication: Sharing your results is important too! Some participants attend scientific meetings, others create informational kiosks or lead community tidepool walks.

Support

We provide direct support and a variety of resources to communities within a 50-mile radius of a National Marine Sanctuary office. Offices are located in San Francisco, Monterey, and Santa Barbara. Services include equipment loan, assistance in the classroom and the field, support with data entry and analysis, and more! Interested in participating in LiMPETS but located outside of our support region? Learn about our remote LiMPETS programs (pdf 120KB).

How do I get started?

  1. Contact the LiMPETS coordinator in your area.
  2. Learn the protocols! Your LiMPETS coordinator will ask you to complete a training before starting a LiMPETS program at your school or organization. Find out more about LiMPETS Introductory Workshops in your area.
  3. Choose an established monitoring site. Your LiMPETS Coordinator can help you.
  4. Borrow, build or purchase monitoring equipment.

Time commitment

A significant commitment by the teacher or adult leader is necessary to coordinate this project. Preparation is key! Learning to correctly identify rocky intertidal algae and invertebrates can take time, but for the science geeks in your group, this is the best part.