Growing citizen science for conservation to support diverse project objectives and the motivations of volunteers
Shane Orchard
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
Waterways Centre for Freshwater Management, University of Canterbury and Lincoln University, New Zealand. Email: s.orchard@waterlink.nz
Pacific Conservation Biology 25(4) 342-344 https://doi.org/10.1071/PC18011
Submitted: 26 January 2018 Accepted: 25 November 2018 Published: 14 December 2018
Abstract
Interest in citizen science has been increasing worldwide, accompanied by research oriented at identifying needs and recommending options for supporting the field. In this context, synthesising research on citizen science is becoming increasingly important. This short communication reviews recent findings in the New Zealand literature with a focus on community-based monitoring, and identifies considerations for supporting further growth of the citizen science field. The perspective offered here is that reducing barriers to participation is the surest way to maintain citizen science momentum, and that this will be assisted by a comprehensive understanding of diversity in the motivations for citizen science activities on the ground. Participant-focussed considerations are useful in both the research design stage and in the context of identifying methods for longer term support.
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