Citizen Naturalists Volunteer Opportunity in Ecuador | SE7EN

Posted on December 31, 2014 by GarryRogers

Citizen Naturalists

If you want to make a change, we’ve projects to save the biodiversity of the Ecuador, a small country with one of the highest biodiversity levels in the world. Ecuador has Amazon Rainforest, Andes up to 6310 m, and the Pacific Coast. But don’t forget that Ecuador has the Galapagos Islands with a high level of Endemic Species.

Source: www.the7interchange.com

GR: Here’s another example of the many citizen-naturalist volunteer opportunities you can find through the internet. This one costs $75 per week. Accommodations are provided, but you must pay for transportation to Ecuador and buy your food in the market. You must also verify with the Peruvian consulate.

Biodiversity in my (back)yard: towards a framework for citizen engagement

Posted on December 27, 2014 by GarryRogers

Abstract: “Cultural landscapes generate many ecological values. Much of the cultural landscape exists as private or semi-private domestic gardens. These domestic gardens are hidden treasures of information on small-scale urban landscape design, urban biodiversity and the relation between citizens and their direct living environments. In this paper, an indicator framework is proposed that aims to engage citizens in experiencing and exploring biodiversity and ecosystem services in their own domestic outdoor spaces. By integrating ecological and cultural factors related to garden biodiversity the framework intends to fill a gap in existing research on domestic gardens that has until now either focused on ecological factors, or on preferences of garden owners. The framework has been developed by analysing pictures of front-yards in Phoenix (AZ, USA) and Maastricht (the Netherlands). With the BIMBY [Biodiversity in My (Back) Yard] framework we aim to contribute to an inclusive trans-disciplinary and transformational dialogue on ecosystem services, green infrastructure and biodiversity conservation in the context of the sustainable development of cities.”

Source: link.springer.com

GR: Of interest to citizen naturalists and those who want to design projects.

The Patterns of Bird Population Irruptions

Posted on December 10, 2014 by GarryRogers

“An irruption is the sudden change in the population density of an organism. In North American birds, irruptions often refer to the movement of northern-wintering species to the south in years of low food availability. You can recognize irruptive movement patterns at your feeders: some winters you may see a species at your feeders in great numbers, but in other winters they don’t show up at all.”

Explore FeederWatch data and tell us what you can find

Source: www.birds.cornell.edu

GR: Here’s a volunteer citizen naturalist opportunity for everyone, but especially for those who love birds.

Great Barrier Reef Australia, Turtle Rehabilitation Program

Posted on November 5, 2014 by GarryRogers

Volunteer At A Rehabilitation Centre Treating Injured & Sick Sea Turtles From The Great Barrier Reef & Cape York Peninsula In Australia. Click To Know More

Source: oceans2earth.org

GR: Here’s a chance to see the Great Barrier Reef and northern Australian coast while learning about and working with turtles.

Join us to discuss democratization of science at Citizen Science 2015

Posted on October 30, 2014 by GarryRogers

GR: Scientists: This is the place to go for ideas and support if you are planning to invite citizen participation in your research. Educators: This conference covers a critical component of nature education–science participation.

The following by Tim Vargo

“As an ecologist trained in the auspices of academia, I’ve had the great fortune of traveling to magical places for my research. However, one particular field season had a greater impact on my career than any other. It was the year when I left the comfortable bubble of my scientific team and began putting considerable effort into interacting with the community in which we were working – our hosts.”

Source: citizenscienceassociation.org