More and more the words citizen science are being thrown around, but what exactly do we mean when we talk about this? From general science inquiry to academic research and resource management, here's a quick primer on what citizen science means to Surfrider in Oregon and some opportunities to get involved.
Surfrider Foundation began to delve into the realm of citizen science over 20 years ago, when individuals were concerned about getting sick from the ocean. A handful of visionary surfers started what is now a nationwide program for our organization, the Blue Water Task Force - testing water quality for recreational health at local beaches. The impetus for this type of citizen science was simple, know before you go surfing. We wanted to protect our own health as well as that of the ocean.
But in the past 20 years, Surfrider and other groups have expanded citizen science initiatives to not only protect our personal interests, but also as a tool for general science inquiry, connecting individuals with a better understanding of the ocean environment and their place within it. Further, citizen science initiatives have grown into supporting academic research and resource management.
As we move into a more ecosystem based management strategy for protecting our nearshore resources vital to our recreational and ecological interests, we more and more consider the opportunities and ways by which our members and volunteers can engage in this process through these hands-on citizen science strategies. It is this level of engagement and understanding that will build upon a greater ethic to support protection and proper resource management of special places, like our newly designated marine reserves along our coast.
COASST volunteers survey beached birds
Surfrider Foundation and partner groups such as CoastWatch, Audubon and The Nature Conservancy are exploring ways to better engage citizens in these activities as we look to support the public's interest in the development of management plans for our system of marine reserves in Oregon. From partnering with state agencies on data collection, to developing programs that better inform the biological and socioeconomic monitoring of the reserves, there are lots of ways citizens can engage. Here's a few things in the coming months, not to be missed if you're interested in getting your citizen science on, or just discussing ideas with various groups.
05/29 - Citizen Science on Tap - "Bridging the Gap" - read more
06/01-02 - COASST Trainings - Beached Bird surveys - read more
06/04 - Citizen Science Webinar - Reef Check California, COASST, and MPA Watch - read more
07/10-11 - Audubon Marbled Murrelet Surveys - read more
Ongoing Opportunities
ODFW Marine Reserve Surveys - read more
Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve Citizen Science Opps - read more
Surfrider Blue Water Task Force - read more
Siuslaw Surfrider/NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring - read more
CoastWatch - Adopt a Mile! - read more
Volunteers with ODFW release rockfish as part of marine reserve monitoring