Community-Based Environmental Monitoring in Nova Scotia The Context for Invasive Species Cathy Conrad, Saint Mary’s University [email_address] www.envnetwork.smu.ca

The Community-Based Environmental Monitoring Network Assisting communities in accessing environmental “information” and transforming that into knowledge. The Community-Based Environmental Monitoring Network: Assisting communities in accessing environmental information, transforming that information into knowledge, and enabling knowledge in the pursuit of action.

The Community-Based Environmental Monitoring Network

Assisting communities in accessing environmental “information” and transforming that into knowledge.

-advocates Community-Based Research (CBR);… research that is conducted with and for , not on , members of the community. Unlike traditional academic research, CBR is collaborative and change oriented and finds its research questions in the needs of communities.

www.envnetwork.smu.ca

Assist groups in environmental monitoring Conduct suspended solid analysis, water quality tests, stream health assessments, forest research, etc. Mapping and environmental education materials We lend out equipment We bring people together to meet and discuss environmental issues and monitoring protocols

Assist groups in environmental monitoring

Conduct suspended solid analysis, water quality tests, stream health assessments, forest research, etc.

Mapping and environmental education materials

We lend out equipment

We bring people together to meet

and discuss environmental issues and monitoring protocols

Citizen science is the process whereby citizens are involved in science as researchers, and can also include community-based monitoring (CBM), “a process where concerned citizens, government agencies, industry, academia, community groups, and local institutions collaborate to monitor, track and respond to issues of common community [environmental] concern” (Whitelaw et al. 2003).

Citizen science is the process whereby citizens are involved in science as researchers, and can also include community-based monitoring (CBM), “a process where concerned citizens, government agencies, industry, academia, community groups, and local institutions collaborate to monitor, track and respond to issues of common community [environmental] concern” (Whitelaw et al. 2003).

Citizen Science functions on a variety of temporal and spatial scales…

Citizens and stakeholders are included in the management of natural resources and watersheds (Keough and Blahma, 2006).

Citizens and stakeholders are included in the management of natural resources and watersheds (Keough and Blahma, 2006).

CBM has been on the increase in Canada, the U.S and across the globe. The increase has been attributed to an increase in public knowledge and concern about anthropogenic impacts on natural ecosystems and recent public and non-governmental organizations concerns about government monitoring of ecosystems. Concern is based on: Government cutbacks Staff expertise Ability to detect early warning signals Ability to appreciate the watershed perspective

CBM has been on the increase in Canada, the U.S and across the globe. The increase has been attributed to an increase in public knowledge and concern about anthropogenic impacts on natural ecosystems and recent public and non-governmental organizations concerns about government monitoring of ecosystems.

Concern is based on:

Government cutbacks

Staff expertise

Ability to detect early warning signals

Ability to appreciate the watershed perspective

Increased environmental democracy Scientific literacy Social capital Citizen inclusion in local issues Ecosystems being monitored

Increased environmental democracy

Scientific literacy

Social capital

Citizen inclusion in local issues

Ecosystems being monitored

North American Distribution Yellow Floating Heart (Nymphoides peltata) From Natureserve.org 2007

No simple remedy for a complex problem Efforts should focus on early detection and prevention

No simple remedy for a complex problem

Efforts should focus on early detection and prevention

Albro Lake Watch Lake Sections: 1. Golden Park 4. Ambercrest Place Residents 7. East Gravel trail (Bench 1) 2. Boardwalk@ Parking area 5. Boardwalk @ skate park 8. East Gravel trail (Bench 2) 3. Leaman Drive Residents 6. East Boardwalk 9. Shore along Highway 111 Year Date (MM/DD) Section (Location around Lake) Species Identified Description/Comments

Monitoring for the sake of monitoring Loss of volunteer interest Lack of funding Data fragmentation Lack of participant objectivity and accuracy Lack of integration with decision-makers.

Monitoring for the sake of monitoring

Loss of volunteer interest

Lack of funding

Data fragmentation

Lack of participant objectivity and accuracy

Lack of integration with decision-makers.

The implementation of organizational frameworks. Identify stakeholders Identify skills and resources Create a communication plan Create a monitoring plan Enhanced tools and training Increased collaboration

The implementation of organizational frameworks.

Identify stakeholders

Identify skills and resources

Create a communication plan

Create a monitoring plan

Enhanced tools and training

Increased collaboration

As a consequence of the absence or reduction in environmental monitoring by government agencies, community has filled the void. And now, government is being confronted with information from the community. Where does the onus of action lie? What expectations exist and who is accountable? Right now, actions tend to be based on good faith and friendships, but little else.

As a consequence of the absence or reduction in environmental monitoring by government agencies, community has filled the void. And now, government is being confronted with information from the community. Where does the onus of action lie? What expectations exist and who is accountable? Right now, actions tend to be based on good faith and friendships, but little else.

Funding and in-kind support has been provided by: Government of Western Australia Department of Conservation and Land Management; The Salamander Foundation, Environmental Damages Fund. Oliver Woods 2007

Biological Environment Introduced Marine Species Membranipora Membranacea Green Crab ( Carcinus Meanas ) Codium Fragile Salt Marsh Health Seagrass Health Fish Atlantic Salmon Relative Abundance American Eel Relative Abundance Sea Birds

Introduced Marine Species

Membranipora Membranacea

Green Crab ( Carcinus Meanas )

Codium Fragile

Salt Marsh Health

Seagrass Health

Fish

Atlantic Salmon Relative Abundance

American Eel Relative Abundance

Sea Birds

What Happens To Your Data Checked for inconsistencies Entered into CBEMN monitoring database Accurate up-to-date site information crucial Maps showing results of data are produced Great overview of location & data collected Available on the CBEMN website Data will become crucial form of information

Checked for inconsistencies

Entered into CBEMN monitoring database

Accurate up-to-date site information crucial

Maps showing results of data are produced

Great overview of location & data collected

Available on the CBEMN website

Data will become crucial form of information

The goal is always to assist communities in accessing environmental information , transforming that information into knowledge , and enabling knowledge in the pursuit of action .

The goal is always to assist communities in accessing

environmental information , transforming that information

into knowledge , and enabling knowledge

in the pursuit of action .