An ELI Public Seminar hosted for the National Wetlands Awards
Volunteer participation in ecological monitoring is an emerging method of environmental management, as well as a novel way to foster public environmental education. “Citizen science” is the collaboration between members of the public and professional scientific institutions in monitoring and data collection efforts. As monitoring technologies become more accurate and accessible, they can be used by amateur ecologists to collect data in real time in vulnerable ecosystems. Many hope this model can assist governments in collecting more of the data needed to protect fragile ecosystems, efficiently address modern pollution issues, and begin adaptation and mitigation efforts related to climate change. This data collection is especially critical in wetlands, which provide many ecological benefits, including flood abatement, water quality improvement, and biodiversity support. In fact, a number of states have already integrated citizen data collection into their state wetland monitoring efforts.
Still, key barriers hinder the use of crowd sourced data and citizen science, including The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), which has resulted in limiting citizen involvement in federal agency projects. There are also issues of privacy, and questions about data quality and volunteer liability issues. Last year, Wyoming passed a law prohibiting trespassing on private land to collect data. Meanwhile, reduced agency funding and a deficit of critical data have increased the need for citizen generated information. Our panel of experts discussed innovations in the field of wetlands monitoring.
Panelists:
Martha Marrapese, Keller and Heckman LLP (moderator)
Tom Bernthal, Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Coordinator, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (2016 NWA Winner)
Anne Dunckel, Program Manager, Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
Jan Goldman-Carter, Director of Wetlands & Water, National Wildlife Federation
Avi Sareen, President/Principal, TNT Environmental, Inc.
Materials:
Tom Bernthal presentation
Avi Sareen presentation
ELI Reference Materials:
Clearing the Path: Citizen Science and Public Decision Making in the United States (ELI/Woodrow Wilson Center, April 2016; downloadable for free)