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Citizen Science Certification
San Juan Bay Estuary Program
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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
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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.
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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.
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Citizen Science Certification
Modules
Water Quality Monitoring
Participatory Bird Censuses
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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
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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.
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Microplastics Monitoring Module
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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