program

OPENING REMARKS

PANELS

Four different panels presented their ideas based on various themes.

PANEL 1: THE FIELD OF CITIZEN SCIENCE: ORIGINS, EVOLUTION, AND WHERE WE ARE TODAY

In Alberta, there are varying perceptions of what citizen science is – from an engagement tool to a tool to collect rigorous scientific data. The aim of this panel was to build awareness on how the field of citizen science has evolved, common challenges across the field, public involvement in citizen science programs, and opportunities for growth in the field.

PANEL 2: DESIGNING, MANAGING, AND ASSESSING CREDIBILITY AND RELEVANCE OF DATA IN CITIZEN SCIENCE

There are few clear and standardized processes, protocols, and support tools to guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of Alberta-based citizen science projects. This undermines the utility and limits the applicability of data and information generated through citizen science. Through a series of case studies, the Panel highlighted methods, guidelines and tools used in citizen science programs to enhance credibility and relevance.

PANEL 3: PLACE-BASED CITIZEN SCIENCE IN ALBERTA

There are a variety of citizen science projects in Alberta ranging along the spectrum of participation (from contributory to co-created), purpose and objectives, and geographic scale (from local to international). This Panel highlighted place-based projects in Alberta.

PANEL 4: CONECTING CITIZEN SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DECISION MAKING

Engaging citizens in the scientific process can lead to a deeper understanding of critical environmental issues. There is a strong trend among government agencies and other organizations to incorporate citizen science as a tool to realize science, monitoring, and citizen engagement objectives. However, there is a lack of understanding around how to do so. This panel highlighted strategies and actions to enhance linkages between citizen science data and decision-making.

LIGHTNING TALKS

Nine speakers gave fast yet fascinating presentations on a variety of citizen science topics, on everything from bees to bats to biodiversity networks.

CLOSING KEYNOTE

Dr. Gwendolyn Blue (University of Calgary) summarized key points from the speakers and discussions in the closing keynote for the workshop.

WORKING SESSIONS

Plenary Working Session – Memorandum on Citizen Science

Building on earlier work with the Miistakis Institute, Alberta Environment and Parks’ Environmental Monitoring and Science Division is leading the development of principles, strategies and actions to guide good practice and appropriate application of citizen science.

In this session draft sections of the memorandum were introduced. Feedback was sought from workshop participants on the draft citizen science principles, strategies and actions for advancing citizen science in Alberta.

Plenary Working Session – Strategies for Enhancing Data Credibility: What is Needed for Alberta?

Data quality is an important consideration in citizen science projects. The involvement of volunteers adds a component to the study design that needs careful consideration. While all science needs to demonstrate its credibility, the specific context of citizen science and external assumptions lead to specific challenges and opportunities. Strategies are needed to enhance the usefulness of citizen science data in the research design and data quality assurance.

This session was introduced by a presentation from Dr. Long Fu, the resulting discussions focused on:

• Data quality to be matched with intended use, credibility measures will also depend on end users determined in the initial project design.
• Educating on the importance and utility of metadata.
• Data quality verification by both internal and external experts.
• Training to verify participants and volunteers.
• Utilize, accommodate and draw from existing rigorous protocols.
• Standardize methodology, data collection and all participant practices.
• Remove outlier data, and educate on the importance of absence data.
• Create a reliable platform or hub to allow greater access to data collected.
• Onus is not only on citizen science to ensure data credibility but on government to provide direction and support on data quality standards.

Concurrent Working Sessions: Air, Water and Biodiversity

Air
Facilitator: Danah Duke
Participants were given general prompts to guide an open discussion about what barriers and opportunities exist in Alberta for citizen science air quality monitoring.

Water
Facilitator: Krista Tremblett
Participants were given general prompts to guide an open discussion about what can be done to promote collaboration and determine what barriers and opportunities exist for future citizen science water monitoring projects.

Biodiversity
Facilitators: Alberta Environment and Parks, EMSD Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health team
Participants were divided into four groups and asked to brainstorm answers to each of the following questions:

1. How can citizen science help to identify where linear features are located, what condition they’re in (i.e. are they navigable, and if so, by what means), and whether they’re accessible to people?
2. How can citizen science be used to quantify how frequently, at what times, and by what modes of travel linear disturbances are used by people?
3. How can citizen science be used to determine how ecological responses vary with changes in the frequency, timing, and type of human activities on linear disturbances?
4. What are some potential challenges, solutions, and opportunities associated with employing citizen science approaches to answering these questions?
   
   

POSTERS and NETWORKING SESSION

There was a networking and poster session set up at the end of the first day, which gave people an opportunity to learn about more citizen science initiatives.