Our citizen science programs include a range of focus areas:
Citizen science and marine pollution
Plastic leakage into marine ecosystems has grown sharply in the last decade, and is projected to double by 2030, with dire consequences for human health, biodiversity and climate.
Plastic is an unfortunate but indispensable reality for communities that live along coastlines the world over. While necessary for economic activity, plastic marine debris and the associated pollution has become a massive ecological disaster, adversely affecting communities living in – and depending on – coastal ecosystems.
Our mission in these communities is to:
- Clear beaches and surrounding waters of pollution.
- Gather meaningful data on marine debris using citizen science programs such as Dive Against Debris, or the marine debris program of National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
- Support the United Nations Environment Program #cleanseas campaign.
- Strive to reduce plastic use by finding alternative sustainable solutions.
Citizen science programs for bird lovers
If you’re an avid bird-lover looking to get involved in bird conservation. Or if you’re keen to study those rare bird species only found in tropical forests, then this is the citizen science program for you.
Our locations are home to more than 2,000 species of birds, and tracking the health of these birds is an immense but essential challenge. That’s where you come in. As a citizen scientist on this program, you will spend your time in the forests around our hubs, collecting data and periodically uploading your findings to the citizen science e-bird platform. Monitoring these species in their habitats is an essential part of their protection and conserving the unique biodiversity necessary to ensure the survival of these beautiful birds.
Citizen science program for naturalists
If you’re someone who is fascinated by birds, bees, insects, mammals, reptiles and every element of nature, then this program is for you.
As a naturalist, you will be spending most of your time observing nature around you and recording it. Using the iNaturalist platform, you will take photos and record audio clips of everything from frogs, insects, moths and birds, while closely observing the relationships between these animals and their environments, and how the relationships change over time.