5/21/2015  |   10:30 - 10:45   |  103AB

CITIZEN SCIENCE AND RESOURCE MANANAGEMENT It is clear that citizen science programs result in a vast array of ecological and social outcomes. Positive outcomes recently reported in the literature include advancing conservation goals and increasing socio-ecological stewardship. In this talk, I will discuss learning gains and the development of epistemic practices (i.e., knowledge about the knowledge produced in citizen science) in the context of socio-ecological outcomes. In particular, I will use data from the citizen science program: CollaborativeScience.org. I report that the act of participation in data gathering in socio-ecologically framed citizen science projects can: (1) Increase individual efficacy to drive community outcomes; (2) Help to build trust among members of similar or different communities that share goals; (3) Enable communication between the public and decision-makers; and (4) Through the act of modeling, promote an increase in scientifically related epistemic practices. I will conclude with a discussion about project assessment based on decision-making success.

Rebecca Jordan (Primary Presenter/Author), Rutgers University, rebecca.jordan@rutgers.edu;


Amanda Sorensen (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Rutgers University, danish.pastry75@gmail.com;

5/21/2015  |   10:45 - 11:00   |  103AB

BLACK FLIES FROM BACKYARDS: INCORPORATING CITIZEN DERIVED DATA INTO THE STUDY OF NUISANCE INSECT DISTRIBUTION Data collected by citizens and university researchers were used to determine the species and distribution patterns of the nuisance black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in western Maryland. Citizen collected specimens and survey replies were used to determine the nuisance species, the extent of the problem, and resident perceptions of the flies. Collection kits were distributed to resident volunteers in 2013 and 2014 for the purpose of determining the species, and a survey was posted on www.mdblackfly.com throughout both years. Researchers from the University of Maryland sampled adult and larval specimens to determine the breeding source and the spatial factors influencing fly distribution. All black flies collected by residents were Simulium jenningsi, a pest found throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Larvae sampled indicated the Potomac River as the primary breeding site. Quality of collected adult specimens varied greatly between volunteers, however the majority of black flies were intact and identifiable to species. Survey replies indicated highly reduced quality of life due to the swarms in the Pleasant Valley region of Washington County.

Rebecca Wilson (Primary Presenter/Author), University of Maryland, rcwilson@umd.edu;


Alan Leslie (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of Maryland, aleslie@umd.edu;


Elanor Spadafora (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of Maryland, elanor.spadafora@gmail.com;


Jen Shaffer (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of Maryland, lshaffe1@umd.edu;


William Lamp (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of Maryland, lamp@umd.edu;

5/21/2015  |   11:00 - 11:15   |  103AB

DIY DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FOR PROMOTING AND SUSTAINING CITIZEN SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT IN FRESHWATER BIODIVERSITY AND HABITAT MONITORING The Clean Water Team, California's citizen monitoring program, has successfully supported citizen monitoring of biodiversity and habitats, employing digital solutions, since 1999. To meet the demand for supporting, educating, and training volunteer-staffed programs, the Clean Water Team has been creating extremely useful and innovative digital tools, in house. This includes portable touch navigatable media rich solutions that function much like apps. In this presentation we will discuss the development, creation digital solutions by non-technical personnel using software your program/agency probably already have.

Erick Burres (Primary Presenter/Author), Clean Water Team - California State Water Resources Control Board - , eburres@mail.yellowstone.net;

5/21/2015  |   11:15 - 11:30   |  103AB

HYDROLOGIC PARTICIPATORY SENSING IN A DIGITAL WORLD Many observations in the hydrologic sciences are easy to obtain, requiring very little training or equipment, but large data collection efforts are hindered by personnel and telemetry costs. However, the digitally connected modern society presents new opportunities to collect real-time hydrologic data through the use of “participatory sensing” – where citizens contribute widely distributed scientific observations. Near real-time updating of datasets is possible as a direct result of the growth of mobile phone networks and high adoption rates of mobile users. We describe an example of the overall approach, including: development, methodology, barriers to entry, data uncertainty, and results of mobile phone technology. The example application characterizes groundwater and surface-water resources. The results illustrate the challenges that variability in consistency and reliability pose to the collection of high-quality data, and point to needed improvements and future developments for widespread use of low-cost techniques for hydrologic participatory sensing.

Michael Fienen (Primary Presenter/Author), USGS Wisconsin Water Science Center, mnfienen@usgs.gov;


Christopher Lowry (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University at Buffalo, cslowry@buffalo.edu;

5/21/2015  |   11:30 - 11:45   |  103AB

FROM SELF-HELP TO VOLUNTEER MONITORING TO CITIZEN SCIENCE – ENGAGING THE PUBLIC IN LAKE AND STREAM ASSESSMENT, RESTORATION AND PROTECTION IN WISCONSIN This presentation will discuss the ways in which citizens have effected positive change in the management and protection of Wisconsin’s lakes and streams through citizen-based water monitoring networks. The Citizen Lake Monitoring Network (CLMN) and stream-focused Water Action Volunteers (WAV) began as ways to educate and promote awareness of water quality for lake shore residents, riparian land owners, students, and watershed organizations, and to help them become stewards of their waterbodies. Over time, citizens involved in these networks began to ask for and take on additional data collection responsibilities, essentially becoming volunteer monitors for state and local agencies. More recently, given the track record of proven quality assurance and an effective training and recruiting network, researchers and water managers recruit CLMN and WAV volunteers to engage in data collection efforts as diverse as documenting impacts of road salt on streams, early detection of aquatic invasive species, calibration of remotely sensed water clarity, and documenting exceedances of total phosphorus standards for the state impaired waters list. Citizens are now an integral part of Wisconsin’s water management framework.

Tim Asplund (Primary Presenter/Author), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, tim.asplund@wisconsin.gov;


Kristine Stepenuck (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), UW-Extension, WI Department of Natural Resources, kfstepenuck@wisc.edu;


Paul Skawinski (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), UW Extension Lakes, Paul.Skawinski@uwsp.edu;

5/21/2015  |   11:45 - 12:00   |  103AB

UNDERSTANDING IMPACTS OF VOLUNTEER WATER MONITORING PROGRAMS ON NATURAL RESOURCE POLICY AND MANAGEMENT Volunteer water monitoring coordinators from 345 programs in the United States were surveyed to learn about the types and breadth of impacts these programs have had on natural resources policy and management. Eighty-six percent of coordinators responded. A wide variety of impacts on water bodies, policies and organizations were reported at the local, state and federal levels. Multiple regression models were used to identify program characteristics that were significantly related to reported impacts. This presentation will describe the current population of volunteer water monitoring programs in the United States, the program characteristics found to be significantly related to achieving natural resources policy and management outcomes, and examples of reported outcomes.

Kristine Stepenuck (Primary Presenter/Author), UW-Extension, WI Department of Natural Resources, kfstepenuck@wisc.edu;