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How can we help?
With input from the Citizen Monitoring Coordinators' Summit last Fall, MassBays compiled a "to do" list for ourselves, with the goal of helping you make the most of your own monitoring programs. We've already addressed some of the easier ones, like starting up this newsletter, setting up a listserv (to join, just send a blank message to this address), and posting a webpage.
We have some options for activities over the next year, and we're looking for your input. Vote for your favorite below:
A QAPP-writing workshop
Communications training on sharing your results
Topic-specific calls or webinars
A joint data-hosting platform
With your responses in hand, we'll do our best to cross another item or two off our list.
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Take advantage of Earth Day excitement
It's no coincidence that Citizen Science Day celebrations overlap with Earth Day! This year is the second annual celebration of citizens' contributions to science, with outreach support for those hosting local events and opportunities to spark new interest among volunteers:
Post your events on a national calendar for April 14-May 20 maintained by SciStarter (you’ll need to sign up for a SciStarter account to add your event).
The Stewardship Network: New England hosts a calendar to help volunteers find events. Submit a listing -it's free -- and they'll manage registration for you! (They also offer other resources, like training materials, primarily oriented toward field work.)
If you're looking for a ready-made way to engage your volunteers leading into Earth Day, the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge project will be underway from April 14th to 18th. The Boston area (from Salisbury to Sandwich within the 495 boundary) is competing with 16 other cities to find the highest number of species. Contact the Encyclopedia of Life for more information.
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Survey: Why Water Quality Monitoring?
A researcher from Coastal Carolina University is seeking participants for an online questionnaire to support her study, "Water is Life: Regional Variation in Goals, Tactics, and Outcomes of Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Programs."
Jaime McCauley, Assistant Professor of Sociology, is interested in "hearing from folks who participate at any level, from the occasional volunteer to program leadership to scientific experts, government agencies, etc.." The survey includes 10 demographic questions, and about 15 open-ended questions regarding people's reasons for being involved in monitoring. Entering even a few key words in response to open ended questions will be helpful.
Jaime's findings should generate great insights into designing programs for robust volunteer engagement. For more information, contact Jaime directly.
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