Citizen Science Certification San Juan Bay Estuary Program
Citizen Science “Citizen science is the involvement of the public in scientific research – whether community-driven research or global investigations. Citizen science mobilizes the public to participate in the scientific process to address problems.” - EPA 2016
Program Timeline Work Wo Idea ea Par artner ership Dev evel elopmen ent The SJ BEP carries out We give volunteers the The academic sector has Formal curriculums are monthly water quality opportunity to gain a contributed to our plan. developed to formalize monitoring and bird certification for their work, The University of Puerto the Citizen Science counts with volunteers. which helps their Rico offered an Certification Program. It contains two modules, Citizen participation and professional development environmental sciences involvement are key to and open doors to jobs in seminar as a platform to which we’ll expand next fiscal year. accomplish our mission. the environmental field. provide the first sessions of Estuario’s Citizen Science Certification.
Objectives ● Use citizen science to address environmental, educational and community needs of the estuary. ● Increase scientific literacy and environmental awareness of the Program’s volunteers. ● Create and maintain a body of scientific volunteers to assist in the Estuary's research, monitoring, reforestation and education projects.
Citizen Science Water Quality Monitoring Certification Modules Participatory Bird Censuses
Water Quality Monitoring ● Helps determine the physical-chemical status of the estuarine ecosystems and effectivity of water quality improvement actions. ● Monthly monitoring in 25 sites across the watershed. ● 97 citizens currently participating. ● First cohorts of Citizen Scientists are undergraduate from the University of Puerto Rico
Participatory Bird Census ● Provides valuable information for the development of conservation and restoration of high ecological value regions ● Monitoring 20 sites across the watershed. ● 71 citizens currently participating. ● Participatory Bird Censuses and Christmas Bird counts. ● Collaboration with Audubon Society and Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Microplastics Monitoring Module
Other Citizen Science Initiatives ● Guardians of the Estuary School Program ● Citizen Science with Boy Scouts of America ● National Association for Interpretation- Certified Interpretive Guide for Community Groups and Citizen Scientists ● Professional Teacher Workshop Series
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