During college I worked on campus as a research assistant. A couple of us spent days and weeks gathering and archiving water samples for analysis. The process was tedious and it always amazed me how much effort went into maintaining a modest library of samples. This was before the internet, of course. Now we have citizen science.
Citizen science harnesses the power of the internet and dedication of volunteers to capture massive numbers of samples, data, measurements, or computer resources. If this intrigues you, read on because one of the biggest citizen science events is scheduled to start over presidents day weekend: The Great backyard Bird Count (GBBC).
The GBBC is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. It’s a great opportunity for families, students, and people of all ages to discover the wonders of nature in backyards, schoolyards, and local parks, and, at the same time make an important contribution to bird conservation. The concept is pretty simple. Participants count birds and report their sightings online at www.birdcount.org.
Data that the “citizen scientists” collect helps researchers understand bird population trends, information that is critical for effective conservation. Their efforts enable everyone to see what would otherwise be impossible: a comprehensive picture of where birds are in late winter and how their numbers and distribution compare with previous years. In 2008, participants submitted more than 85,000 checklists.
Can’t tell a robin from a finch? No worries, in many areas you can get some free training from your local Audubon Society. Simply contact them and ask if you can join one of their free GBBC workshops for an orientation presentation.
The GBBC is a great outdoor activity for kids and families. Visit www.birdcount.org to learn more.
