YOUTH CITIZEN SCIENCE
Engaging youth in ecological monitoring across the Blue Mountains
ABOUT THE PROJECT
This biodiversity monitoring project enhances environmental knowledge and capacity to effect change amongst Blue Mountains youth communities as they participate in field activities.
Discoveries made using the species identification iNaturalist App will provide valuable data for monitoring eco-systems threatened by climate change, including drought and fire impacts.
Youth participants are invited to explore their local environment and contribute towards scientific research and monitoring to better understand climate change impacts on our local ecosystems. By downloading the iNaturalist App on a mobile phone, students can record observations of flora and fauna. Students will engage with community experts, conduct fieldwork and use scientific enquiry to become citizen scientists. Through the data collected we can better understand biological diversity and ecosystem dynamics.
Using an interactive App on a mobile phone is a fun and easy way to make discoveries. Observations of wildlife and habitats will be collated in the national CSIRO BioCollect database, complementing wider eco-monitoring efforts by researchers. Findings will also inform protection and recovery planning after recent bushfires for vulnerable ecosystems, such as upland swamps, in the Blue Mountains.
Students will have the opportunity to collaborate with university-based scientists and local ecologists, and contribute towards dissemination of findings.
INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS
Ecosystems are dynamic and are changing under climate change impacts, including drought and fire. Citizen science contributes to environmental knowledge and important research. Blue Mountains high school students are invited to participate in citizen science activities.
This free program is designed to connect youth to their local environment, and teach students scientific skills while assisting teachers to meet curriculum outcomes in all high school stages of Science, Biology, Geography, Earth and Environment and Science Extension. Field trips incorporate the scientific method with nature pedagogy techniques.
The project will:
provide opportunity for scientific investigation, enquiry and species identification
empower young people to contribute in community-wide programs
enhance wellbeing through connection to nature
increase knowledge by linking students with ecologists and conservationists
inspire environmental stewardship and the next generation to lead community responses to environmental challenges
NEWS & MEDIA:
Feb 2021: https://www.bmwhi.org/news/2021/3/1/call-out-to-engage-youth-in-citizen-science
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This project is funded by the Coca-Cola Australia Foundation and the Peter und Luise Hager Foundation. The project is also supported by our members the Blue Mountains City Council and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
