Citizen Science Projects
Citizen Science can be a powerful tool for increasing data collection effort, promoting knowledge sharing, and encourages better communication between scientists and the public.
8Trees & Citizen Science
Citizen Science is defined as the practice of public participation in scientific research.
We promote active involvement by the public in a variety of projects that will help fill data-gaps across our urbanizing landscape.
Unfortunately, the Niagara Region is very data-deficient when it comes to baseline information, such as species presence (especially species-at-risk), tree/plant communities or inventory lists, soil structure and chemistry, hydrological functions of wetlands, and presence of invasive species.
By encouraging the active participation of the people living in the region, we can gather baseline data more efficiently and use in our various reports, research projects and environmental impact assessments. All data we collect, whether by our staff or by the public, will be shared with the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).
To support this initiative, we have developed smartphone app data-collection tools for the public to use.
Citizen Science Projects
Citizen Science Coverboard Project
Making observations count in your back yard! Use My Field App to document your findings for this project!
Community Amphibian Calling Surveys
Learn the different sounds of spring, and let us know what you hear! Check out our Field Guide to help identify species, and use My Field App to document your observations!
Community Bat Watch
Bat populations are declining due to loss of overwintering habitat and the spread of the fungal disease called "white-nose" syndrome. We are working with partners to collect information on bat activity across southwestern Ontario... so go ahead and let us know what you see using My Field App during summer evenings, watching the skies!
Community Road Watch
Southern Ontario is packed with roads! and wildlife must cope with the dangers associated with them. Let us know what wildlife you see crossing roads using My Field App!
Invasive Species Monitoring
Learn the difference between our native and invasive species, and why balance is needed in our ecosystems. We will be working with partners to investigate these ecological impacts, but we need to know where these invasive species are to begin with! Let us know using My Field App.
Peregrine Falcon Community Watch
Let us know when you see these at-risk raptors, and visit the Canadian Peregrine Foundation website or facebook page for more information.