Citizen Science

Darlene Cavalier from Dr. D's alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania asked the question: "How can people without a science degree engage in and contribute to science?" The answer: Citizen Science. Citizen Science enables people from all walks of life to advance scientific knowledge. For curious and concerned people, YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. This developed into SciStarter.  Go on their site, https://scistarter.org, type in what interests you OR what area is important to you, OR even where you want to do something (on a beach, in a boat, from a tree), there's a project for you. Parameters, Protocols, Training are available if needed. SciStarter can also help you develop a project if one is not listed. Here are a few examples of the impact that can be derived from your observations.

Dr. Tim photographed an osprey & noticed it was banded. He sent the information from the band to  United States Geological Survey & within a week, he received a certificate of appreciation which told how old the this bird was & where it was banded. Such a quick, easy, and rewarding thing to do and it makes you feel appreciated and more connected to the natural world. 

One of Dr. D's favorite monitoring methods is the use of trail cams. These are simple cameras mounted, usually on trees near animal trails or watering holes. World-wide examples of very rare sightings picked up by this method include a Clouded Leopard with two cubs in Borneo & a Java Rhino and calf in Indonesia.  Verification of these highly endangered animals showed they are still in the area and it helps establish regional protection for them. In fact, photographs have led to several new species being discovered!

At Henrys Lake State Park (HLSP) in Idaho, where for the past 6 years, Dr. Tim and Dr. D have been conducting nature education programs, the cameras they set up on three trails verified the presence of a grizzly bear & a black bear in the area as well as other, many times unseen, animals.

At HLSP, a camper told us he saw fireflies. We investigated, verified, and reported to the Western Firefly Project, only to learn a most interesting fact: 7 western states have fireflies but none had been recorded from this county!!

Every year, Cornell Ornithology Laboratory of Ornithology have a Christmas bird count whereby experienced birders in specific locations, report all sightings through E-Bird.  Combined with other studies, including the Backyard Bird Count from your easy chair, documented the startling findings that more than 30% of songbirds in North America have disappeared in the last 50 years.

If you have been following Nature Tales and Trails Facebook postings which tell and show highlights of our visits to (almost all) National Parks, we have been astounded by how many times Dr. Tim & Dr.D say to each other--why aren't we hearing any birds? 

Dr. D & Dr. Tim hope they sparked your curiosity to become a Citizen Scientist!!

Please email us with the project you choose and what information you are recording.