Thanks to Jason Martin of Project NestWatch for sharing this powerpoint, presented at the July 2012 Workshop on Integrating Citizen Science into Science Center Programming.

1. NestWatch
NestWatch:
Monitoring nesting birds with the power of
citizen science
Jason Martin
Project Leader - NestWatch

2. NestWatch
Presentation Overview
• What is NestWatch?
• Recruitment, training, & retention
• How are we trying to improve?

3. NestWatch
What is NestWatch?
• Monitors status and trends in
the biology of breeding birds
across U.S. since mid-1960’s
• Location, species, timing of
nesting, # eggs and young
produced, reproductive
success
• Online open-source database
• Public education

4. NestWatch
What is NestWatch?
Since 2000:
• >100,000 nests monitored
• 149 species
• 5,100 participants

5. NestWatch
Why nesting birds?
• Impacted by environmental disturbances
• Abundant and widespread
• Inhabit a variety of habitat types
• Engaged in many ecological processes
• Easily observed by amateurs (“hobby factor”)

6. NestWatch
NestWatch Data in Action!
Dunn, P. O. and D. W. Winkler. 1999. Proc. Royal Soc. Lond. B 266:2487-2490.

7. NestWatch
Participant Recruitment
• Press releases and media interviews
• Cross promotion though other CLO programs
and partners
• Online social media
• Word of mouth
• Low hanging fruit

8. NestWatch
Participant Training
• Heavily internet based
– nestwatch.org (protocol, code of
conduct, certification quiz, data
entry/exploration, educational material)
• Some phone and email contact

9. NestWatch
Participant Retention
• Mainly passive, although some email/Facebook
reminders
• Provide beneficial services
– Data storage and access
– Educational resources
• Making people feel good about what they’re
doing
– Contributing to science
– Connecting with nature

10. NestWatch
Participant Retention:
How are we doing?
2006-2011
Years
Participants
• 75% participated for 1 year
Participating
1 2732 • 33% participated for 2 years
2 483
• 13% participated for 3 years
3 192
4 82 • 5-6% = retention sweet spot
5 62
6 83

11. NestWatch
NestWatch Chapters: A more effective way?
• 25 local chapters to help recruit, train, and retain participants
• Chapter coordinators trained by NW staff
• Win-win partnership
– Chapter organizations take advantage of existing program and feed into
national data collection scheme
– More intimate relationship with volunteers = personal accountability,
improved data quality, greater depth of experience, & increased
retention

12. NestWatch
nestwatch.org
jmm677@cornell.edu