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.
Tanya Rushcall
EDDMapS Alberta and Aquatic Invasive Species
Speaker Bio: Tanya Rushcall is the Aquatic Invasive Species Biologist and certified pesticide applicator for Alberta’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program. Tanya received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta in 2010. She has worked with the Government of Alberta in multiple roles including Fisheries Management and in her current role, which focuses on the response to new and existing aquatic invasive species such as flowering rush, Phragmites, Prussian carp, and goldfish.
Presentation: EDDMapS Alberta and Aquatic Invasive Species
Thanks to the support of the Alberta Invasive Species Council, Albertans now have the ability to report and view invasive species distributions from their smart phones. EDDMapS (Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System) is a web-based mapping system, from the University of Georgia, for documenting invasive species distribution. An interactive web interface engages participant submission through their observations and enables the public to view results and negative monitoring locations for regulated invasive species and others of heightened concern. The Alberta Aquatic Invasive Species program currently monitors for zebra and Quagga mussels and spiny waterflea, only 3 of 52 prohibited aquatic invasive species, and relies heavily on partners like the Alberta Monitoring and Science Division, Alberta Lake Management Society, and the Alberta Irrigation Projects Association. Public reporting further enables rapid response from program staff and partners on an operational level, which has been used and will continue to be used to inform future policy and legislation, monitoring, and education gaps for the program.