Want to Become a Citizen Scientist? You Can!

Want to Become a Citizen Scientist? You Can!

By Peggy Werner

Both average citizens and those with scientific expertise can help to make sure the planet is habitable for all living things.

Many important observations and record-keeping efforts are accomplished through the international Citizen Science program, which is locally operated by Severson Dells Nature Center in partnership with the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County.

The concept unites the efforts and expertise of educators, scientists, data managers and the general public for the benefit of animal and plant species.

Andrea Wallace Noble, naturalist/ educator at Severson Dells, is in charge of recruiting and training volunteers for Citizen Science in Winnebago County.

“Throughout the nation, Citizen Science is an idea we use to generate valuable information for ecology and land management, while empowering the public,” she says. “The information is valuable for citizens because they learn a lot, feel ownership of the planet and develop a connection to the land that’s hard to see otherwise. They start to look at nature in a different way.”

In Winnebago County, Citizen Science volunteer groups focus on reporting data about bluebirds, bats, bumblebees, frogs, toads and other species. They report observations about them and the environmental conditions that support them.

People interested in volunteering can watch the Severson Dells and Forest Preserves of Winnebago County websites for upcoming trainings next spring. They’ll learn about Citizen Science projects, how they can make a difference and how to get started. Although data is collected year-round, most species are the most active in spring and summer. Currently there are about 35 volunteers, but Wallace Noble expects that number to grow because of many recent developments that make it easier to participate in the Citizen Science program.

Data sharing is one of the main features of iNaturalist, introduced just last year. The app and website are free to users and allow them to post pictures and observations easily. The information is helpful to those researching a particular species, who want to share something they’ve seen, are looking to identify what they’ve seen, or want to focus on habitat in a particular community.

Citizen Science works in a wide variety of ways with the help of people of all ages and levels of expertise. Wherever people are located, information can be collected through local communities, national parks, backyards, and in educational and research institutions.

“Some projects are as simple as taking a picture of a tree or another living thing. Others are more complex, involving specific protocols and data management,” Wallace Noble says.

Just as there are many ways to collect information, there are also many ways to use the facts. Locally, most of the data goes to the forest preserves. The number of species, or lack of species, in an area is tracked to see what plants and animals are thriving and what needs to be done to attract more of them.

For example, the Rusty Patched Bumblebee is an endangered species and was first spotted in our area in 2009. It appears the population may be growing due to grant money used to clear areas to make a savanna and plant vegetation the bees enjoy.

“We’re aware of many more bumblebees because we have more volunteers collecting data and more habitat for them,” Wallace Noble explains.

Indiana and Gray bats are also on the rare and endangered species list, but have been seen in parts of the state. Citizen Science efforts have also documented some species of dragonflies that had not been recorded in Winnebago County before.

“This information helps us keep our finger on the pulse of what habitat restoration is needed,” Wallace Noble says.

Butch Whittaker has volunteered with the forest preserves and Citizen Science for about five years. He estimates he spends about 10 hours a week in natural areas, helping to restore habitats or recording what he sees.

“It’s a great way to get out into nature,” says Whittaker. “I grew up in the country, but I live in the city and having access to nature is a beautiful thing.”

The knowledge gained serves everyone.

“It’s a great amount of information collected for the state, the country and the world,” says Whittaker. “You don’t know how rare something is until you document it and share it with others. Having a picture of what you see is a first step. Once something is documented, someone else will want to see it, too.

“In Winnebago County, we’ve discovered that because information is documented, it helps us get grant money for establishing needed habitat,” he says. “We can adjust plantings and feedings to bring species back into an area and help them to get off the endangered list.” ❚