Are you venturing into the Great Bear Rainforest and looking for a way to help out? Our Citizen Science Project lets you contribute to our research in this beautiful area!
What is Citizen Science?
Citizen science is a term used when scientific work is carried out using a network of volunteers, many of whom may have no specific scientific training. Citizen science is growing at a world-wild scale as it allows research objectives to be carried out far more feasibly. It is also a fabulous way to engage and educate the public on our on-going research programs.
Raincoast is using Citizen science to collect observational data on species in the Great Bear Rainforest from people using the area and with a keen interest in wildlife. We have developed a user-friendly form and accompanying reference guide to collect the information we need.
How will this information be used?
This information will help to direct our research projects to areas of interest. All of the data gathered will be collated and we will be able to identify:
Hot spots of activity for certain species (e.g., lots of sandhill cranes sighted in an area with consistency)
Changes in animal distribution that warrant further investigation (e.g., moose being seen in areas where they weren’t previously known to be)
Human activities that warrant a closer look (e.g., active logging on a salmon watershed)
Who will collect this information?
Completed forms can be handed in at the Raincoast Fieldstation on Denny Island, or mailed, faxed or emailed to the Victoria office (address provided on forms). A volunteer will enter the data into a spreadsheet and distribute to the relevant project coordinators. The coordinators will then take the data and analyze it.
Where will participants be able to see the results?
Raincoast will include the results of the citizen science project in it’s annual newsletter, website and other publications.
Download your Citizen Science package.
The package includes the form for you to complete, full instructions and a complete reference guide with wildlife photos, images and descriptions.
