Building an army of wombat warriors: developing and sustaining a citizen science project
Candice J. Skelton A B , Amelia S. Cook A , Peter West C , Ricky-John Spencer A and Julie M. Old A D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Science and Health, Hawkesbury Campus, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
B Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, 38 Thynne Street, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia.
C NSW Department of Primary Industries, Forest Road, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: j.old@westernsydney.edu.au
Australian Mammalogy 41(2) 186-195 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM18018
Submitted: 3 July 2018 Accepted: 8 September 2018 Published: 1 October 2018
Abstract
Citizen science websites and mobile applications are credited for their ability to engage members of the public in science and enhance scientific literacy, while operating as a cost-effective, geographically vast data-collection tool. Recruiting participants, tailoring online platforms to users’ needs and harnessing community values are key to creating a successful, sustainable citizen science project. However, few studies have conducted a detailed examination of the recruitment experience when trying to build an engaged and active citizen science audience to assess wildlife diseases in Australia. The present study aimed to determine the most effective methods to recruit and continue to engage citizens to use the tool called WomSAT (Wombat Survey and Analysis Tools). Various marketing techniques were employed to recruit participants. A survey was also disseminated to gain feedback on WomSAT and understand the driving factors behind participation. Participation in the WomSAT project was driven by a collective desire to help and learn about wombats. Preliminary distribution data collected by citizens suggest that WomSAT contains the necessary elements to enable it to be an important tool for monitoring wombats and the distribution of disease. Continuation of the WomSAT project will support scientific research while fostering conservation messages amongst the Australian community.
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