Introducing Training Materials for Starting and Maintaining Participatory Science Projects and Programs

Engaging people from diverse backgrounds in science is exciting and fun. Setting up and running a citizen science effort requires many different skills and knowledge in research, communication, training and community building, and project management – as well as curiosity, patience, and enthusiasm. Establishing common scientific and engagement goals can be challenging. It can be easier because now, there are training materials! The demand for training opportunities led to a collaboration among the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Schoodic Institute, to develop a toolkit and associated training materials. The Interagency Citizen Science Toolkit is now available to stimulate and guide science engagement on public lands.

In this webinar we’ll introduce you to the toolkit and its associated materials.

Presenters:

Rick Bonney is emeritus director of the Public Engagement in Science Program at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. He is co-founder of the Lab’s citizen science program, co-founder of AAPS, and founding editor of the journal Citizen Science: Theory and Practice. Much of his career has focused on helping institutions develop citizen science projects and programs.

Hannah Webber is the Marine Ecology Director here at Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park. She runs a workshop titled “Strengthening Your Participatory Science Skills”.