eBird: Identifying Challenges and Finding Solutions for Engaging a Global Public in Citizen Science

In September 2014 eBird received its 200 millionth bird observation and the project is now growing exponentially. Over the past 12 years eBird data have been contributed by more than 200,000 participants, and 2.5 million... [ view full abstract ]

In September 2014 eBird received its 200 millionth bird observation and the project is now growing exponentially. Over the past 12 years eBird data have been contributed by more than 200,000 participants, and 2.5 million people currently visit the website annually to view and explore data. These data have resulted in more than 100 peer-reviewed publications that are shaping research in ornithology, ecology, human-computer interaction, computer science, and statistics. In addition, federal and state agencies, local and international NGOs, and a variety of other land managers are using eBird for conservation planning and decision-making. Also, more than 15 terabytes of eBird data have been downloaded and used in a number of educational programs both in and out of classrooms. Considering that the growth rate in each category—research, conservation, and education—ranges from 25-40% per year, this symposium will identify challenges and discuss solutions in managing a fast-growing global citizen science project. Speakers will describe the eBird program and provide an overview of its challenges, growth, and uses in scientific discovery (Kelling); describe programs in which eBird data are being used in conservation efforts, including delineation of easements for waterfowl and shorebird protection in California (Reynolds); explain procedures used to ensure eBird data quality including data management, data filters, and a network of 800 volunteer editors (Sullivan); describe how the eBird community is recruited, cultivated, and managed (Wood); and show how eBird is used to achieve outcomes for education through curricula and informal science education programs (Bonney). Emphasis in the symposium will be placed on describing lessons learned from developing and evaluating eBird that can be used in creating or improving other large-scale citizen science projects that seek to achieve wide-ranging objectives.