This document outlines the California Academy of Sciences' new directions in citizen science. It discusses goals of engaging the public in active scientific research, creating projects with direct impacts, and providing varied levels of participation. Two pilot test cases are described: biodiversity surveys on Mt. Tamalpais with the Marin Municipal Water District, and intertidal monitoring at Pillar Point. The document reviews progress made and next steps to evaluate, pilot additional goals, launch a full project, and eventually scale up citizen science efforts.

1. New Directions in Citizen
Science
Alison Young
May 19, 2012

2. Bay Area Ant Survey
Most Wanted Spider
Living Roof Project
California Academy of Sciences

3. Citizen Science Goals
• Engage the public in real, active scientific
research connected to the Academy
• Create projects with direct impact on
biodiversity, science literacy, and/or
conservation
• Provide an opportunity for “tiered-
involvement” by members of the public with
varying expertise and time
California Academy of Sciences

4. Citizen Science Goals (cont’d.)
• Provide multiple entry points for participants
at different stages of the scientific enterprise:
defining the research, planning, data
collection, analysis, and sharing outcomes
• Engage scientists and participants in mutually
beneficial work together
• Innovate in the use of mobile and other digital
media
California Academy of Sciences

5. Measures of Success for Citizen
Science Projects
• Scalable to reach regional or national/international
audiences
• Improve science and/or eco-literacy
• Advance Academy research
• Result in new information and public involvement in
support of sustainability initiatives
locally, regionally, nationally and/or internationally
California Academy of Sciences

6. Citizen Science: Bechtel Grant
• Year-long planning grant—S.D. Bechtel, Jr.
Foundation
• Answer real research questions about
California biodiversity
• Use our historical collections as a baseline
• Two test cases—terrestrial & intertidal
• Partners: Marin Municipal Water District &
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve with Gulf of the
Farallones National Marine Sanctuary

7. Test Case #1—Marin Municipal
Water District
Bio surveys of plant species
Key Goals:
• Document current state of
flora on Mt. Tamalpais.
• Fill taxonomic gaps in our
collections.
• Focus on fire-associated
species and land use.
• Establish benchmark for
exploring climate-related
shifts in distribution.
California Academy of Sciences

8. 17 species are known only from Marin and 8
of these are found in the watershed!
California Academy of Sciences

9. The Mt. Tamalpais watershed: a biodiversity paradise!
• 900 species of plants & 400 species of animals
• more than 50% of Marin’s flora is found in the watershed (only 12% of
Marin County)
• 15% of California’s flora is found in the watershed (.01% of the area of
the state)
California Academy of Sciences

10. Test Case #2—Pillar Point
Intertidal Surveys
Key Goals:
• Use Academy specimen data
as baseline for comparing
new data.
• Deliver species list with GPS
tagged images & habitat
ranges.
• Focus on influence of high
visitorship & reef closures
re: protecting harbor seals.
California Academy of Sciences

11. Long-term climatic shifts: Climate change
• Permanent shifts
in distribution
11

12. California Climate Change

13. Progress to Date
•Biosurveys at Mt. Tamalpais
Training session: March 23
March 24
Training sessions: April 28 & May 2
May 5
June 23-24
August 25
•Intertidal Monitoring at Pillar Point
Week of June 4th

14. Future Steps
• Evaluation (on-going)
– Are we meeting our goals?
– Our we meeting the needs of our participants?
• 2013: Pilot-test a project
– Add-in goals not covered in test cases (tiered
involvement, multiple entry points, mobile/digital media)
• 2014: Launch a project
– Include components on the public floor
• Future: Scale up
– CA network of science institutions
– National/international
California Academy of Sciences