1 week Ago
By Sean Geer Spring has sprung, and this time of year brings bees and butterflies flying through our yards and neighborhoods. These tiny members of our community play crucial roles in the flowers and fruit trees that grow around Boulder. While it is fun to watch them float around and move from plant to plant, they also serve the purpose of pollination.
Citizen science platforms like iNaturalist and Cool Boulder allow us to document bees and other pollinators in our neighborhood using the app, contributing to knowledge about their local species. Wouldn’t it be great to know that you’re helping these tiny neighbors promote a healthier ecosystem for our community? Incorporating community science into a fun activity for you and your friends can help to accomplish this. Together, we have the potential to create meaningful impacts and enhance our local ecosystems.
Citizen Science often referred to as community or participatory science , is defined as community involvement in gathering scientific data and developing a broader scope of engagement in a shared goal. Scientists and the community collaborate to gather data and address shared objectives, often regarding environmental issues. This approach enhances observations for the scientific understanding of local phenomena.
A major benefit of citizen science is the potential to involve all community members, including children, fostering interest in research and contributing to scientific and policy decisions. Community-gathered information enhances research by incorporating observations from the local community and providing valuable insights. Collaborations with community involvement have led to improved conservation efforts and can be seen in multiple community science projects.
For example, iNaturalist has another community science opportunity with Boulder County Wildlife. There are multiple ways in this platform to learn how to identify and observe, and then record your recent observations regarding different birds in the area. Engaging in community science inspires the next generation to explore and follow scientific inquiry while fostering curiosity.
Reflecting on my childhood outdoor experiences camping and exploring the local areas, I now recognize how they fueled my passion for science. Programs like the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project enhance children’s scientific skills and strengthen their connection to nature. By observing the natural world, children can develop observational skills and share their findings, supporting their educational growth .
Community engagement in science has proven vital in addressing serious health concerns. In the late 1970s, residents in Niagara Falls, NY, raised alarms about serious health issues related to Love Canal . Love Canal was the site of toxic chemical waste dumping primarily by Hooker Chemical company.
Action by community members led to the creation of the Superfund program, a federal program dedicated to cleaning up contaminated waste sites. Similarly, in Flint, MI , the city’s decision to switch its water supply to the Flint River, a known dumping ground, resulted in a health crisis. Through a community science approach, residents collected data and mobilized for safer water, highlighting the importance of local advocacy for and involvement in environmental issues.
Some argue that participatory science approaches lack validity due to the information not being gathered by professional scientists. While there is research to show that there is a potential for bias in citizen science data gathering, scientists have identified measures that can minimize bias while improving the knowledge base for scientific research and use. Community science also has a range of benefits for those who participate.
Engaging in these events is exciting and fun. You can network with others while spending time outdoors with friends and new acquaintances, learning new things! Opportunities abound to participate and practice community science engagement. There are numerous online platforms.
One of which I have worked with is CitSci.org, which offers engagement for members of the public to create their own projects or join current projects. Numerous others can be found with a search for community science platforms and organizations.
You can also check with local organizations, such as the Denver Zoo or Butterfly Pavilion , which offer opportunities to engage with community science projects. You then have the chance to find what fits for you. By working together, we open up a multitude of possibilities and outcomes for shared knowledge and deeper understanding.
Sean Geer lives in Longmont..
