Citizen science is a powerful tool for expanding the reach of scientific research, fostering public engagement with science, and addressing complex scientific questions that require extensive data collection. It promotes a sense of community involvement and empowers individuals to contribute meaningfully to scientific advancement. Data collected by citizen scientists contributes to new discoveries, addresses pressing environmental challenges, and informs important policy decisions.
Last year the Treasure Coast Almanac magnified citizen science as a powerful tool for expanding the reach of scientific research, fostering public engagement with science, addressing complex scientific questions that require extensive data collection, and promoting a sense of community. We highlighted various projects including citizen science programs from Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA).
Join ORCA on April 11 and May 22 to learn about the data findings from ORCA's Citizen Science Projects.
Pollution Mapping Citizen Science: Findings to Date
April 11 at 6:00pm
Citizen Scientists and staff conduct quarterly monitoring of specific sites within the lagoon. Volunteers measure basic water quality parameters, measure muck depth, and collect both water and sediment samples to be brought back to the Center for Citizen Science for analyses. Once at the lab, citizen scientists composite and prepare samples for particle analysis, as well as measure nutrient concentrations.
Land to Sea Monitoring: Findings to Date
May 22 at 6:00pm
ORCA’s Land to Sea initiative includes living shoreline and buffered shoreline projects that restore and stabilize shorelines, minimize pollutants, provide habitat for plants and animals, and help improve water quality.
As part of this project, ORCA staff and citizen scientists monitor runoff before and after the installations of buffered shorelines to document the reduction in pollution entering the waterways.
Find everything ORCA has planned for the coming months here.