This group discussion took place at the conclusion of the session titled "Community Building for Citizen Science," delivered on day three of the Citizen Science Toolkit Conference at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York on June 20-23, 2007. Eleanor Ely, Editor of The Volunteer Monitor, served as moderator as participants discussed various citizen science education topics including involving and motivating the larger community, models of volunteers and addressing their varying needs/motivations, helping volunteers interpret data, rewarding mastery and achievement, and engaging
The Golden Gate National Parks stewardship programs seek to engage the community in the protection and restoration of local nature on public lands in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to native plant revegetation and invasive plant removal, the public is invited to join park staff in monitoring rare plant species. The Golden Gate National Parks provide habitat for over 40 rare plant species, including 9 plants that are federally listed as endangered or threatened. Volunteers participate in the gathering of field data through census and sampling methods. These data are used by the park to evaluate the status of rare plant populations and determine management actions.
DATE:
-
TEAM MEMBERS:
National Park ServicePresidio TrustGolden Gate National Parks ConservancyMichael Chasse
The intent of this network is to encourage volunteers to get involved with our annual horseshoe crab monitoring program on various reference beaches throughout New York’s Marine District. “Citizen Scientists” will work with trained site coordinators to help collect data on horseshoe crab spawning abundance, size, sex and tag returns around full and new moon evenings from May to July. The data collected through this program is used to assess the status of horseshoe crabs in NY State, and will help determine the management and conservation of this important species throughout the region.
DATE:
TEAM MEMBERS:
Matthew SclafaniNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
This is one of three focus point presentations as part of the session titled "Community Building for Citizen Science," delivered on day three of the Citizen Science Toolkit Conference at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York on June 20-23, 2007. Lori Bushway, Senior Extension Associate and Leader of Adult Outreach at CCE's Garden-based Learning Program in the Department of Horticulture at Cornell University, provides an overview of Cooperative Extension and urges professionals within the field to work together within the network to better engage the public and collectively
Bird Habitat Recognition invites property owners and schools in Pennsylvania to transform some property into bird habitat with native plants and then register the property with Audubon Pennsylvania. Improving our built landscapes for birds leads to sustainable alternatives to traditional landscape practices. Participants are encouraged to monitor birds and submit data to many Citizen Science programs and eBird. Registration is free; Durable yard signs are offered as a gift for donation to Audubon, or can be purchased outright.
The Invaders of Texas Program is an innovative campaign whereby volunteer "citizen scientists" are trained to detect the arrival and dispersal of invasive species in their own local areas. That information is delivered into a statewide mapping database and to those who can do something about it. The premise is simple. The more trained eyes watching for invasive species, the better our chances of lessening or avoiding damage to our native landscape.
DATE:
TEAM MEMBERS:
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterTexas Forest ServiceTexas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentTravis Gallo
In 2004, the City of Menomonie updated its storm water management plan to minimize storm water runoff, encourage storm water infiltration and reduce sediment and nutrient deposition in the storm water conveyance system and waterways. This plan complies with the requirements of the EPA Phase II and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource (WDNR) NR 151 and NR 216 storm water regulations that affect the City of Menomonie. Under the education and information chapter of the plan, the following recommendation is mentioned: “We recommend that the City and the University of Wisconsin-Stout partner and work together to ensure that positive steps are taken within the City of Menomonie watershed and Galloway Creek sub-watershed”. In order to meet that specific storm water management recommendation, students enrolled in the BIO 111 course (Science, Society and the Environment) collect and analyze water quality data within specific sections of Galloway Creek and submit their results in a stream report.
DATE:
TEAM MEMBERS:
Krista JamesWisconsin Water Action Volunteers ProgramCity of Menomonie
To quantify how much of the night sky has been lost to light pollution, students in grades 3-8 compare their backyard view of Orion to six star charts of the constellation with varying limiting magnitudes. Using thousands of observations from across the local community, teams of students from individual schools plot the collective results by constructing a 3D model out of LEGO blocks. Beforehand, all teachers integrate some aspect of the topic in their regular classroom instruction. The website offers supporting lessons, resources, and ideas for teachers and families alike.
DATE:
-
TEAM MEMBERS:
Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation
Join us in the search for interstellar dust! In 2006, the Stardust spacecraft returned particles of interstellar dust that originated in distant stars. But before they can be studied, these tiny dust grains will have to be found. This is where you come in! Our volunteers are using an online Virtual Microscope to search for these elusive particles, which were captured in aerogel. In addition, the discoverer of an interstellar dust particle will appear as a co-author in the discovery announcement, and will name the particle!
DATE:
TEAM MEMBERS:
University of California, BerkeleyThe Planetary SocietyNASAAndrew Westphal
The URI Watershed Watch program is the largest scientist-led volunteer water quality monitoring program in Rhode Island. Program staff coordinate more than 350 trained volunteer citizen scientists monitoring the water quality of Rhode Island freshwater lakes and ponds, rivers and streams, salt ponds and coastal watersheds. This award-winning program has more than thirty local sponsors, including one third of RI cities and towns, watershed and lake associations, environmental organizations, scouts, the Narragansett Indian Tribe, RI DEM, individual and corporate sponsors. Comprehensive program components include: recruiting, classroom and field training, and equipping volunteers; in-house laboratory analyses in our state-certified lab, data reporting to volunteers, sponsors and pertinent governmental agencies. Specific programs are tailored to lakes and ponds, rivers and streams, estuaries and salt ponds.
Water Logging is a volunteer water quality monitoring program, that monitors water quality in the Huntington-Northport Bay Complex in Long Island, NY. The goals and objectives of the Water Logging Program are to: 1. Educate and involve the public in water quality assessment and protection. 2. Develop a sense of stewardship among the community in the Huntington-Northport Bay watershed. 3. Screen for water quality impairments and determine long-term water quality trends. 4. Document effects of water quality improvement programs. 5. Provide useful water quality data to interested parties and the public.
DATE:
-
TEAM MEMBERS:
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County
The Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, the Interdisciplinary Center for Coastal Studies, New York Botanical Garden, Puerto Rico Youth at Risk, Boy Scouts, and others implemented a citizen science program for age 12 and older. This project targeted local residents, visitors to Hacienda La Esperanza Reserve, and members of community environmental projects on topics including archeology and human impacts on local ecosystems; conservation and restoration of wetlands; and shoreline and costal processes.