Citizen Science Certification

San Juan Bay Estuary Program

Citizen Science

“Citizen science is the involvement of the public in scientific

research – whether community-driven research or global

investigations. Citizen science mobilizes the public to

participate in the scientific process to address problems.”

- EPA 2016

Program Timeline

Work

The SJ BEP carries out monthly water quality monitoring and bird

counts with volunteers . Citizen participation and involvement are key to

accomplis h our mis s ion.

Idea

We give volunteers the opportunity to gain a

certification for their work, which helps their

profes s ional development and open doors to jobs in the environmental field.

Partnership

The academic s ector has contributed to our plan. The Univers ity of Puerto

Rico offered an environmental s ciences s eminar as a platform to provide the firs t s es s ions

of Es tuario’s Citizen Science Certification.

Development

Formal curriculums are developed to formalize

the Citizen Science Certification Program. It contains two modules , which we’ll expand next

fis cal year.

Objectives

● Use citizen science to address environmental, educational and community needs of the estuary.

● Increase scientific literacy and environmental awareness of the Program’s volunteers.

● Create and maintain a body of scientific volunteers to assist in the Estuary's research, monitoring, reforestation and education projects.

Citizen Science Certification

Modules

Water Quality Monitoring

Participatory Bird Censuses

Water Quality Monitoring ● Helps determine the

physical-chemical status of the estuarine ecosystems and effectivity of water quality improvement actions.

● Monthly monitoring in 25

sites across the watershed. ● 97 citizens currently

participating. ● First cohorts of Citizen

Scientists are undergraduate from the University of Puerto Rico

Participatory Bird Census

● Provides valuable information for the development of conservation and restoration of high ecological value regions

● Monitoring 20 sites across the watershed.

● 71 citizens currently participating.

● Participatory Bird Censuses and Christmas Bird counts.

● Collaboration with Audubon Society and Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Microplastics Monitoring Module

Other Citizen Science Initiatives

● Guardians of the Estuary School Program

● Citizen Science with Boy Scouts of America

● National Association for Interpretation- Certified Interpretive Guide for Community Groups and Citizen Scientists

● Professional Teacher Workshop Series