Webinar Summary:

How can community science projects support meaningful engagement among researchers, community members, and other stakeholders to achieve community benefits? The presentations in this webinar will draw on lessons learned from a variety of projects and initiatives on diverse natural resources topics, but with commonalities for employing community-based participatory approaches to gain positive social impacts and ecological outcomes.

Reference Materials:  

Invasive Species Citizen Science Projects, University of Minnesota Extension

Final Report: Community and Citizen Science at the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Evaluating environmental education, citizen science, and stewardship through naturalist programs.

UC California Naturalist Program

Community and Citizen Science at the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Resources for Citizen Science Project Planning

This webinar will highlight:

Dr. Adina Merenlender, is a Cooperative Extension Specialist and Adjunct Professor in the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, and the Director of the UC California Naturalist Program.  Besides community science, Dr. Merenlender has extensive research and extension interests in conservation biology, climate-wise habitat connectivity, and working lands conservation.  The UC California Naturalist Program is a community of practice that engages the public in environmental stewardship.  The program uses a science curriculum, hands-on learning, problem-solving, citizen science, and community service to instill a deep appreciation for the natural communities and to inspire individuals to become stewards of their local resources.

Chris Jadallah (with Ryan Meyer and Heidi Ballard as non-presenting contributors) is a PhD student and NSF Graduate Research Fellow at the Center for Community and Citizen Science at the University of California, Davis. His current research examines how participatory approaches to scientific research and monitoring can foster learning and stewardship. His presentation, Integrating Community Interests and Scientific Priorities through Community-Based Watershed Monitoring, will provide an example of ongoing work where scientists, local stakeholders, students, and teachers are partnering to co-design community science projects related to the Matilija Dam removal in Ventura County, CA.  Pilot data from participant observations offer preliminary insights into how community science initiatives can balance community members' interests and values with monitoring needs.

Angela Gupta is a University of Minnesota Extension Forester who specializes in invasive species education.  She has been with UMN Extension for 15 years and has led several invasive species and volunteer programs.  Her presentation will be: Invasive species and citizen science initiatives while social distancing.  The University of Minnesota Extension is a state leader in citizen science and invasive species education. For many reasons, the spring of 2020 was going to launch several new citizen science and invasive species projects; and then the world shifted because of COVID-19. Thankfully, all these projects could be done while also social distancing. This presentation will highlight the basic citizen scientist questions and protocols used for each invasive species project and offer a short overview of the projects including: Squill Hunt; Jumping worms: Report Management; Gender Bending Trees: Amur Corktree; Stop Oak Wilt; and Naturalized Norway Maple. Each project has a different audience, objective and tools that uniquely fit each question. Learn what worked, what didn’t, and what we still don’t know.