Science Education and Outreach

Biodiversity Discovery

Parks protect an amazing array of living organisms. In fact, scientist regularly discover new species living in parks. Citizen scientist assist with “Biodiversity Discovery” in parks across the country. Scientists and volunteers work together in BioBlitzes to compile “snapshots” of living creatures in parks.

The Columbia Sensitive Resource Zone: Balancing Conservation and Visitor Experience at Cuyahoga Valley National Park

BioBlitz "How-to" Guide.

Next Generation Stewards: A Success Story (pdf)

100,000+ biodiversity observations for 100th birthday of NPS!

Citizen Science and the National Park Service.

George Washington Carver National Monument and Buffalo National River BioBlitz events - 2014.

Caddisfly BioBlitz at Buffalo National River

George Washington Carver National Monument (GWCA) BioBlitz event - 2013.

Volunteers conducting sampling in a stream.

NPS

Citizen Scientists

Heartland Network scientists look for opportunities to engage volunteers to assist with vital signs monitoring. Doing so not only provides useful data, it highlights the role of science in managing National Park Service units. Volunteers often develop close connections to park resources and serve as local park advocates.
Network staff and park staff initiated a volunteer bird monitoring effort in 2008 to complement the Heartland Network monitoring that occurs once in a four-year cycle. Park managers recruit amateur ornithologists who undergo training provided by the network. Citizen scientists use a special protocol developed by network staff to ensure compatibility of data from the volunteer efforts with that collected by the network scientists. Together, citizen scientists and network staff perform quality assurance and quality control procedures.