In 2014, the Miistakis Institute hosted a Citizen Science Conference, exploring this diverse field with sessions on program design, evaluation, policy implications, technology and applications in parks and protected areas. This links to the website that chronicled that event.
Creating a Biodiversity Network: using a citizen science app to monitor biodiversity in Alberta
Citizen science typically refers to research collaborations between scientists and volunteers to expand opportunities for scientific data collection and provide community members access to science information (Cornell). Citizen science initiatives are becoming increasingly popular, and organizations, informal groups, and individuals across Alberta are hosting or participating in numerous citizen science activities. These activities, however, often take place in isolation of each other.
With the growing prevalence of biodiversity data collected by Albertans, the lack of a platform where anyone can contribute and share their citizen science data became apparent. Building off experience gained from its provincial monitoring program, the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute developed NatureLynx--a mobile and desktop citizen science application--to facilitate the establishment of a biodiversity network within Alberta.
Users can record, share, and browse species observations of Alberta taxa, and sightings uploaded to the app are verified by taxonomic experts. Users can also create and join “Groups” through which individuals with common interests can share observations, and/or participate in targeted projects with specific research objectives called “Missions”.
“Groups” and “Missions” allow any individual or group that currently collects, or plans to collect, biodiversity data space to encourage users to participate in their initiatives.
Furthermore, virtually all data contributed--whether via a specific “Group” or “Mission” or not--is publically available to the NatureLynx community, and can be used for any kind of downstream analysis. As the user base grows, the hope is that the value of having a central repository for citizen science data will be more fully realized.
Speaker Bio: As the Citizen Science Coordinator at the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute, Jordan Bell is responsible for the development of ABMI’s citizen science application, NatureLynx. In addition, Jordan assists the ABMI’s land access program to secure access to key monitoring locations throughout the province. Jordan also participates in a variety of outreach and knowledge translation activities on behalf of the ABMI.