Pepperwood's TeenNat - Diverse Youth Contributing to Conservation Science

Pepperwood’s TeenNat project empowers diverse youth to expand their scientific knowledge base, broaden their career horizons, and develop their outdoor exploration skill sets while they collect and manage critical... [ view full abstract ]

Pepperwood’s TeenNat project empowers diverse youth to expand their scientific knowledge base, broaden their career horizons, and develop their outdoor exploration skill sets while they collect and manage critical biodiversity data. Building on the successful 2013 pilot, the project ran three days a week for five weeks in July, 2014. Using digital cameras and gps units, 28 teen interns worked with Pepperwood educators and researchers to record and share species observations on iNaturalist.org. iNaturalist.org is a social network that enhances awareness of biodiversity and collects data for conservation planning. Field expeditions were complemented with direct instruction as well as a gallery exhibit displaying photographs from the field.

TeenNat participants uploaded1,043 biodiversity observations to iNaturalist.org. The observations included photos, GPS coordinates, and written notes. Of these observations 376 were vegetation, 478 were animals, and 87 were fungi. On iNaturalist.org experts are invited to clarify or confirm observations. Interns classifications ranged from the level of kingdom to species. Sixty percent of the classifications were confirmed by over twenty members of the scientific community and forwarded to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Interns also set up 10 long-term monitoring plots enacting the Save The Redwoods League Fernwatch protocol.

Educational outcomes were measured in a mixed-methods evaluation. Interns showed significant gains in their knowledge of native species and natural science careers. They significantly expanded their ability to name and characterize dangers found in the field while their attitudes about being in nature also significantly improved. They were also able to demonstrate skills in utilizing scientific equipment. TeenNat interns ranged in age from 13 to 18 and hailed from Sonoma, Napa, and Solano counties. 64% of the interns were Caucasian and 36% were students of color. They were recruited through multiple means including creation, translation and distribution of bilingual marketing fliers and school visits.