Citizen Science: Join the Research Revolution
What is citizen science?
The term has been gaining popularity over the last decade, and for good reason!
Citizen science is all about everyday people (aka volunteers) getting involved in scientific projects and research. It bridges the gap between scientists and the general public, empowering individuals to contribute to data collection, analysis, and reporting. By engaging in citizen science, communities can help monitor local ecosystems and drive evidence-based action.
Why is citizen science important?
- Accelerates scientific research: By pooling together information collected by many citizen scientists, we can gather large data sets, something that would be nearly impossible for individual researchers to collect on their own. Team work makes the dream work, as they say.
- Educates and enables: Citizen science helps us learn about our local environment in a hands-on way. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to meet others who care about the same things you do.
- Shapes policy and decision making: The data collected in robust citizen science initiatives can be used to inform policies and conservation efforts, as well as being a tool for environmental advocacy.
- Boosts wellbeing and environmental stewardship: When you participate in a citizen science project, you strengthen your connection to the environment, fostering a sense of purpose and wellbeing.
Citizen science projects at WAI
Here at WAI, we’re passionate about involving our community in citizen science, especially when it comes to freshwater research. Below are five ways you can join in and make a difference:
1. GET YOUR FEET WET EVENTS
Our Get Your Feet Wet events are held four times a year and are a great way to dive into looking at the health of our water with us at two urban streams: Bullock Creek and Stoney Creek. During these events, you’ll learn to:
- Monitor key indicators of stream health (temperature, pH, nutrient levels, flow, etc.)
- Identify and count macroinvertebrate populations
- Help us track changes over time
- Identify signs of pollution or other concerns
2. BEACH CLEAN-UPS
Join us for our monthly beach clean-ups, held at various locations around our waterways. Each spot gets cleaned twice a year. During these clean-ups, we contribute to a country-wide citizen science initiative, known as Litter Intelligence.
Our litter audits are conducted in a 100m by 20m area within the clean-up zone. Together we sort, weigh, and record all of the rubbish we find. This data goes into the national Litter Intelligence database (created by Sustainable Coastlines), helping us track and communicate local litter trends.
3. MICROPLASTICS SAMPLING
Launching this month during Plastic Free July, our new ‘A Teeny Tiny Truth’ citizen science initiative offers an exciting way to get involved in microplastics research. Marine scientist Veronica Rotman has helped us to develop a sampling method for volunteers, looking at microplastics in our water. Two ways to participate in this project are:
- Collect water samples: At the end of our beach clean-up events, we collect water samples from our lakes or rivers, to later be analysed in the lab.
- Analyse samples in the WAI lab: Together we’ll use microscopes and our citizen science guide to identify, count and record microplastics from our samples.
This initiative has also been adapted for schools, making it easy and safe for students to participate (use of chemicals has been removed). We hope to share our guides (community and school version) across Aotearoa, encouraging other communities to join in and build on this research!
4. FLUKER POST
The first ever Fluker Post in Aotearoa! “Fluker posts are wooden posts that act as photo points installed at strategic locations in the environment. No camera is left on a Fluker Post. Instead, people walking past use the Fluker Post app on thir own phone to take a photo of a given scene.” This simple system of repeat photography provides valuable data when it comes to tracking changes over time.
We encourage you find our Fluker Post the next time you are walking along the Te Ara Wānaka Boardwalk (just past Dinosaur Park). Once you’ve located the post, make sure to download the app and contribute to this photo monitoring project by snapping and uploading a photo!
5. SECCHI DISC OUTINGS
Join us for one of our Secchi Disk outings on Lake Wānaka or Lake Hāwea. Learn about water health while enjoying time on the water (BYO kayak or paddle board).
During these outings, we measure water clarity and temperature, as well as tracking any surface-level colour changes using a Secchi Disk, the EyeonWater Colour App and the ZebraTech Moana system. These measurements provide us with snapshots in time when it comes to water quality.
Email getinvolved@waiwanaka.nz to express interest in our next outing.
Better Together
Citizen science is a powerful way to tackle environmental challenges and amplify research through community involvement. Most projects require no previous experience or special skills, just a willingness to show up and dive in (metaphorically, of course!).
Stay in the loop for upcoming citizen science opportunities by filling out our volunteer sign up form or keeping an eye on our events page.
Are you a local business interested in sponsoring our volunteer events? Email us at getinvolved@waiwanaka.nz
Other Aotearoa-based citizen science projects to explore: