Citizen Science, Education and Engagement for Conservation

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is creating a framework to guide design of citizen science projects that inform adaptive land management practices in response to climate change. The framework will assist teams of FWS... [ view full abstract ]

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is creating a framework to guide design of citizen science projects that inform adaptive land management practices in response to climate change. The framework will assist teams of FWS educators, scientists and partners to jointly design and manage projects to meet mutual objectives, using sound protocols. Citizen science program participants would then collect crucial scientific data while developing conservation stewardship knowledge and skills, expanding reach and impact. This poster reviews research related to environmental education, experiential education, and conservation behavior change that can be applied to citizen science program design. Preliminary results from both case study research and a facilitated workshop of subject matter experts is shared. Findings regarding key criteria for citizen science, education and engagement inform the framework and help articulate measurable objectives. The framework and objectives form the basis for a planning and evaluation template that can be used to implement citizen science projects that meet integrated social and ecological goals. Another focus is on training and support for conservation science and education professionals aiming to devise integrated citizen science projects that both contribute phenological data and achieve short- and long-term public conservation engagement.