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Want to Become a Citizen Scientist? You Can!
By Peggy Werner oth average citizens and those with scientific expertise can help to make sure the planet is habitable for all living things. Many important observations and record-keeping efforts are accomplished through the international Citizen Science program, which is locally operated by Severson Dells Nature Center in partnership with the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County. The concept unites the efforts and expertise of educators, scientists, data managers and the general public for the benefit of animal and plant species. Andrea Wallace Noble, naturalist/ educator at Severson Dells, is in charge of recruiting and training volunteers for Citizen Science in Winnebago County. “Throughout the nation, Citizen Science is an idea we use to generate
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valuable information for ecology and land management, while empowering the public,” she says. “The information is valuable for citizens because they learn a lot, feel ownership of the planet and develop a connection to the land that’s hard to see otherwise. They start to look at nature in a different way.” In Winnebago County, Citizen Science volunteer groups focus on reporting data about bluebirds, bats, bumblebees, frogs, toads and other species. They report observations about them and the environmental conditions that support them. People interested in volunteering can watch the Severson Dells and Forest Preserves of Winnebago County websites for upcoming trainings next spring. They’ll learn about Citizen Science projects, how they can make a difference and how to get started. Although data is collected
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To advertise call 815-316-2300
year-round, most species are the most active in spring and summer. Currently there are about 35 volunteers, but Wallace Noble expects that number to grow because of many recent developments that make it easier to participate in the Citizen Science program. Data sharing is one of the main features of iNaturalist, introduced just last year. The app and website are free to users and allow them to post pictures and observations easily. The information is helpful to those researching a particular species, who want to share something they’ve seen, are looking to identify what they’ve seen, or want to focus on habitat in a particular community. Citizen Science works in a wide variety of ways with the help of people of all ages and levels of expertise. Wherever people are located, information can be
