Program on the Environment

Citizen science (CS) programs are an ever growing source for collection of environmental and scientific data. More of these organizations are beginning to take preserving their local ecosystems into their own hands while participation has grown rapidly since the early 2000s. However, this growing interest has not been met with an equally interested approach by the research science community and has struggled with an overall lack of shared information and methods. While the intentions of CS are ultimately benevolent, the term has become so extensively inclusive that no clear definition can be made about the quality of data that is collected, making it seem an untrustworthy source of information. The purpose of this study was to identify the potential of CS in the scientific community and governmental sectors as well as ascertain how to overcome the challenges it faces. In order to accomplish this, literature on CS was reviewed while working alongside Stillwaters Environmental Center, a local CS organization. I provided support to their organization, resulting in conversations with scientists and leading to a final synthesis of the literature. Research indicates that CS at any level has the potential to benefit the science community, especially in monitoring efforts, if it can meet one major criteria: the collection of accurate data through repeatable, tested methods. To attain this goal, the barriers for non-scientists to enter the research science community and receive help in both funding and training must be overcome through collaboration, advocacy, and further evidence of success in citizen science.