STRENGTHENING CITIZEN SCIENCE NETWORKS
GREAT BARRIER REEF
CITIZEN SCIENCE
ALLIANCE
to benefit the Great Barrier Reef
A collaborative network connecting coastal & marine citizen science stakeholders CITIZEN SCIENCE FROM CATCHMENT TO REEF Coastal and marine citizen science represents a critical source of data, community education, capacity building and social value. In 2015 Alliance member groups: Engaged >5,600 volunteers, who
donated 40,000+ hours
CAPACITY BUILDING
COLLABORATION Supporting a network for Reef citizen science
Providing training, tools & resources
• Website, meetings & events to increase sharing
• Workshops & resources for key challenges
• Using united voice to strengthen engagement
• Small grants to undertake projects with collective benefits
ADVANCEMENT
ACTION
•
Increasing awareness about programs and outcomes 9,000+ community event participants (e.g. ReefBlitz & National Science Week)
• Representation in integrated reef monitoring planning • Facilitating connections with information end-users
Monitored >500 locations in Queensland Counted more than
78,000 data points Collected data ranging from mangrove extent to coral bleaching severity
SCOPING STUDY (Chin 2013)
Identified the desire for greater exposure, engagement, and collaboration between citizen science groups and stakeholders Mangers & Scientists indicated citizen science can... Disseminate information Expand spatial and temporal data Identify emerging issues & threats
ReefBlitz 2016 for integrated Reef health snapshot events
Contribute to their work 0
20
40
Managers
60
80
100 %
•
Building relationships takes time and collaboration requires trust.
•
Consistent funding is critical for citizen science to implement bestpractice volunteer engagement and data collection.
•
Citizen science data can complement formal reef science and management monitoring. Strategic alignment must meet the goals of all partners and may require compromises.
•
Citizen science has the potential to actively mobilise networks to respond to major events.
•
Discoverability + accessibility + reliability can strengthen data useability.
Reef Report Card data applications
Mapping linkages and gaps across programs to strengthen data use
Engage communities
Scientists
The Alliance united 10 coastal & marine citizen science organisations & partners
Collaboration must celebrate the diversity and individuality of programs, while targeting shared challenge & growth areas.
NEXT STEPS (2016 & beyond)
Forging connections with reef management via technology (e.g. Apps)
Identify community knowledge
Citizen science is delivering positive impacts yet… more resources and strategic connections could amplify outcomes.
LAUNCH (2014)
•
Promoting and raising the credibility of citizen science
Boosting involvement
•
KEY LEARNINGS
Secure funding & resources to enhance positive impact
More information:
[email protected]
SUPPORTED BY
Authors: Jennifer Loder (Great Barrier Reef Citizen Science Alliance), Andrew Chin (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, James Cook University), Asia Armstrong (Project Manta), Martha Brians (Redmap), Angela Dean (University of Queensland School of Communications & Arts), Norman Duke (Mangrove Watch), Kyra Hay (CoralWatch), Debra Henry (Wildlife Queensland Coastal Citizen Science), Nathan Johnston (Fitzroy Partnership for River Health), Diana Kleine (CoralWatch), Jock Mackenzie (Mangrove Watch), Vicki Martin (Southern Cross University), Fiona Merida (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority), Gretta Pecl (Redmap), Jemina Stuart-Smith (Redmap), Jodi Salmond (Reef Check Australia), Heidi Taylor (Tangaroa Blue Foundation), Kathy Townsend (Project Manta), Petra Lundgren (Great Barrier Reef Foundation)
