The document discusses the role of citizen science in environmental data collection, highlighting the importance of public engagement in addressing environmental issues. It presents various case studies, lessons learned, and the risks and opportunities associated with citizen science initiatives. The presentation concludes with insights on future technologies and potential innovations in the field.

1. GAIA RESOURCESCitizen Science and the EnvironmentA source of quality spatial data?Piers HiggsGaia ResourcesPresented at ISDE7 2011, 24th August, 2011

2. OVERVIEWTopics coveredOverview of Citizen Science

3. Four Examples

4. Lessons learned

5. Where to from here?

6. QuestionsCITIZEN SCIENCE & THE ENVIRONMENTWhy bother?

7. CITIZEN SCIENCE & THE ENVIRONMENTWho cares?In 2007-08, 82% of adults in Australia reported thatthey were concerned about at least one environmental problem…

8. Over half said they thought the natural environment was decliningSource: ABS 2007-08 Environmental Views and Behaviour Survey http://tinyurl.com/3bqeydp

9. CITIZEN SCIENCE & THE ENVIRONMENTWhat can you do?

10. CITIZEN SCIENCE & THE ENVIRONMENTWhat about Citizen Science?

11. CITIZEN SCIENCE & THE ENVIRONMENTWhat is Citizen Science?PeopleConnectProblemSolution!

12. EXAMPLES

13. EXAMPLESSafecast www.safecast.org

14. EXAMPLESClimatewatch www.climatewatch.org

15. EXAMPLESBiodiversity Snapshots www.biodiversitysnapshots.net.au

16. EXAMPLESDieback Information Delivery & Management System

17. LESSONS LEARNEDRisks and OpportunitiesWorkforceSoftwareHardwareDataIntellectual Property & Copyright

18. LESSONS LEARNEDWorkforceDo you really have a workforce issue?LESSONS LEARNEDEngaging your workforceThink about gaming theory…

19. Use an experience system

20. Multiple long & short term aims

21. Reward effort

22. Rapid feedback

23. Uncertainty

24. Windows of enhanced attention

25. Other peoplehttp://tinyurl.com/28mvx7v

26. LESSONS LEARNEDSoftwareDeploy well tested, designed apps and systemsSearch?

27. LESSONS LEARNEDHardwareDon’t deploy single-platform solutionsLESSONS LEARNEDDataUse sensible tools for validation, including spatialLESSONS LEARNEDCopyright and Intelletual PropertyWho owns a record that is entered to a citizen science project?

28. Can you even “own” a piece of data?

29. Creative commons, Right to Information, AusGOAL and other initiatives are providingsolutions for these issuesLESSONS LEARNEDRisks?An inexhaustible supply of garbage?

30. A way to alienate people?

31. A source of rubbish data?

32. A way to lose money?

33. A way to lose quite a bit of money?Yes!

34. LESSONS LEARNEDOpportunities?An inexhaustible supply of labour?

35. A way to engage with people?

36. A source of free data?

37. A way to save money?

38. A way to get money?Yes!

39. WHERE TO FROM HERE?What’s the next technology…

40. WHERE TO FROM HERE?What’s going on in our industry…vs

41. CITIZEN SCIENCE & THE ENVIRONMENTQuestions?If you want to know more, please contact mepiers@gaiaresources.com.au(08) 9227 7309 0411 754 006Web site:www.gaiaresources.com.au