Reef Check Australia (RCA) has coordinated and trained citizen scientists to undertake reef health surveys across Queensland for over 15 years. However, research shows that citizen science participants may not represent the broader population. This raises the question of how to extend the impact of marine citizen science across the broader community.
Between 2015 and 2018, RCA recruited and trained 37 Reef Ambassadors. Ambassador training included workshops on reef science, science communication and event management. After completion, the Ambassadors are invited to coordinate or contribute to community outreach events to promote awareness, stewardship opportunities, and RCA’s work. Evaluation of the Reef Ambassador program utilised both quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, to examine the impact of training and participation in the program, describe models of ‘successful outcomes’, and identify program elements most associated successful outcomes.
Most frequently cited motivations for participating included getting involved in conservation (97%), work experience and career development (77%) and meeting people (59%). Ambassadors have engaged 7,500 people at 60 events. Preliminary qualitative analysis suggest that knowledge acquisition throughout training generated greater Ambassador confidence, and that using a citizen science framework provided greater opportunities to connect with broader audiences. One training need identified related to dealing with issues subject to polarized debates, such as dealing climate change denial.
Ambassador-led initiatives have prompted program revisions, to incorporate project planning and behaviour change modules in 2018. This co-development approach is fostering a new framework for how RCA empowers volunteers and the community to engage in reef health issues.
Topics: Communicating marine conservation , Topics: Participation in marine conservation science (e.g. citizen and indigenous science) , Topics: The marine conservation community
