Presentation Abstract
Citizen science is becoming more broadly recognized as an important means of gathering scientific data. Blending scientific data gaps with the strengths of citizen science will result in meaningful data that can inform policy for resource management agencies. In addition, using volunteers builds a base of citizens with improved understanding of complex ecological and policy issues. Here, we present a case study of an intertidal monitoring program in the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve that has developed and adapted a robust citizen science program over the past 5 years. This program will be incorporated into the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve Management Plan that will be updated in 2020. In addition, the data from the monitoring program will be available for use by oil spill response plans for industries adjacent to the Aquatic Reserve. Many transferable lessons have been learned in this program about training citizen scientists, retaining volunteers, increasing confidence in collected data, and using data visualization software to better communicate information back to participants, decision makers, and the general public, all while functioning on a limited budget.
Session Title
Building Effective Citizen Science Projects for the Collection of Influential Data
Keywords
Citizen science, Intertidal monitoring
Conference Track
SSE15: Data and Information Management
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2018 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE15-626
Start Date
5-4-2018 4:00 PM
End Date
5-4-2018 4:15 PM
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Shorelines--Monitoring--Washington (State)--Cherry Point; Volunteer workers in science--Washington (State)--Cherry Point; Volunteer workers in conservation of natural resources--Washington (State)--Cherry Point; Restoration monitoring (Ecology)--Washington (State)--Cherry Point; Intertidal ecology--Washington (State)--Cherry Point
Geographic Coverage
Cherry Point (Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Included in
Fresh Water Studies Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
Effective application of citizen science for adaptive management of an aquatic marine reserve
Citizen science is becoming more broadly recognized as an important means of gathering scientific data. Blending scientific data gaps with the strengths of citizen science will result in meaningful data that can inform policy for resource management agencies. In addition, using volunteers builds a base of citizens with improved understanding of complex ecological and policy issues. Here, we present a case study of an intertidal monitoring program in the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve that has developed and adapted a robust citizen science program over the past 5 years. This program will be incorporated into the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve Management Plan that will be updated in 2020. In addition, the data from the monitoring program will be available for use by oil spill response plans for industries adjacent to the Aquatic Reserve. Many transferable lessons have been learned in this program about training citizen scientists, retaining volunteers, increasing confidence in collected data, and using data visualization software to better communicate information back to participants, decision makers, and the general public, all while functioning on a limited budget.
