Citizen Science Meets Environmental Restoration

Citizen Science Meets Environmental Restoration

NZ Landcare Trust is embarking on a new initiative combining community environmental data collection with biodiversity restoration work. The new project entitled 'Citizen Science Meets Environmental Restoration' aims to develop knowledge, resources and capability within groups interested in an emerging activity known as Citizen Science. The work will have a practical application where the data collected by communities will be validated and used in a variety of ways.

NZ Landcare Trust Regional Coordinator Alastair Cole is excited about the possibilities surrounding this work. "Citizen Science has the capacity to contribute to a greater understanding of the state of New Zealand’s environment and provide a means to make progress toward positive change."

"Citizen Science has been an increasingly common topic of discussion within New Zealand's scientific and academic community. In simple terms, Citizen Science refers to scientific data collection that would usually be conducted by scientists, being carried out by non-professional people."

For this approach to work the data generated must be robust and stand up to scrutiny. This means the communities involved in collecting samples and carrying out monitoring will need to use methods and techniques that are supported by scientists. Training becomes an important component, and resources such as NZ Landcare Trust's Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Kit (WETMAK) along with the associated workshops, can provide the essential knowledge required.

Data collected as a result of Citizen Science has the potential to make a significant contribution to large scale environmental projects, while at the other end of the spectrum this approach can also offer major benefits to the myriad of community restoration projects taking place around the country. University of Waikato PhD Candidate and former NZ Landcare Trust Project Coordinator Monica Peters has a great deal of experience in this area and is also involved in the project. "Citizen science isn't going to replace the research that scientists carry out. Instead, it's a collaborative way of doing science where communities' information and educational needs as well as scientists' data and engagement needs can be met."

Alastair Cole reported. "While still in its early stages, work on the project is progressing well. We've held a series of meetings where interested parties have been invited to discuss ideas. One of the first aims is to establish a Project Steering Group... the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and New Zealand Rivers Trust have already expressed a keen interest to take part."

"The second phase of the project will be to establish a number of working groups and also deliver a series of four workshops based in Auckland, Manawatu/Whanganui, Nelson and Canterbury." Mr Cole added.

The Trust has supported community involvement in sustainable land and water projects for nearly 20 years, regularly working with farmers and landcare groups who were carrying out various forms of monitoring or testing as part of their work. The 'Citizen Science Meets Environmental Restoration' project will provide an opportunity for NZ Landcare Trust to offer leadership and strategic direction for Citizen Science related to environmental data collection in this country.

ENDS

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