Citizen Science: A Growing Role

National 4-H Conference

USDA / NIFA

Division of Youth & 4-H

April 9, 2013

Overview

● Social Media

● Science Videos

● Community Mapping Applications

National 4-H Conference

Social Media

National 4-H Conference

Situation:

● Invasive Species of North America:● Boll Weevil - Texas● Army Worms - Nova Scotia● Pine Beetles - Wyoming ● Emerald Ash Borer - Indiana● Japanese Beetles - Illinois

National 4-H Conference

Solution:

● Utilization of previously existing social media. ● Encourage public to participate through

technology.● Make data available for scientific research

and databases.

National 4-H Conference

Facebook

● Facebook page dedicated to photo sharing.

● Location services allow accurate pinpoint of problem species.

● Ease of sharing would effectively spread the message.

National 4-H Conference

Instagram● Photos may be

uploaded for species identification.

● Implement a hashtag for uploaded photos to share data for species in different areas.

● Built in Location services for an accurate location.

National 4-H Conference

Potential Partnerships● Department of Natural Resources

○ Helping control the spread of invasive species● 4-H Clubs & Newsletters

○ Encouraging our clubs to join/participate● Advertizing

○ Newspapers, Flyers, Social Media Sites, etc.● USDA

○ Warn farmers about potential spread of pests● Farm Supply Chemical Company

○ Connect FS with potential customers for

pest extermination.

National 4-H Conference

Science Videos

National 4-H Conference

Overview

Objective:

● To get more involvement in science● Teaching science through helping them make

the videos

National 4-H Conference

4-H STEM Youtube channel

It will contain:

● Promotional videos● How to videos● Fun facts● Science experiments ● Assistance with 4-H projects● Explanation of general citizenship science● Information on rare and unique species

Video Content

Additional Info

● The videos will be maintained by volunteers.● Individual communities can get involve.● Statewide video contests can be held to

involve youth.● Youth create a youtube channel and if it

becomes popular, they can make profit.

National 4-H Conference

Community Mapping Applications of Plant/Tree Species and Trails

National 4-H Conference

Past/Existing Partnerships

National 4-H Conference

Plant and Tree Mapping

Objective: Provide a geospatial application for government and private entities to use in plant and tree species data collection by youth groups.

● Standardized data collection● Organizations can use collected data in their

GIS workflow

National 4-H Conference

Past Plant and Tree 4-H Projects

National 4-H Conference

Trail MappingObjective: Provide trail mapping trainings and facilitate in the mapping of trails

● Use geospatial technologies such as GPS or a smartphone, combined with software such as ArcGI.

● 54,000 miles of

National Trails, many

are not mapped.

National 4-H Conference

Copy of the Chimney Rock, NC NFS Trail Map

Past Trail 4-H Projects

National 4-H Conference

Existing Programs and Apps

● ESRI*● Project Butterfly W.I.N.G.S*● Project PigeonWatch● Cooperative Observer Program● Project Noah● iNaturalist● BioKids

*Denotes 4-H Partnership

National 4-H Conference

Summary

● Social Media● Science Videos● Community Mapping Applications

National 4-H Conference

National 4-H Conference

Questions?