INVENTORY Citizen Science - NZ Landcare Trust
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Citizen Science INVENTORY Programmes, Projects, Resources and Learning Opportunities in New Zealand A report prepared by Monica Peters for NZ Landcare Trust, July 2016. Updated May 2018.
Citizen Science Inventory: Programmes,
Projects, Resources and Learning Opportunities
in New Zealand. A report prepared by Monica be viewed or
Peters for NZ Landcare Trust, July 2016. Inventory can
:
Updated May 2018. download from .nz/Projects/
n d ca re.o rg
www.la s
al -Pro je ct
ISBN 978-0-9941331-6-8 (online) Nation
Published by NZ Landcare Trust, July 2016.
Updated, May 2018.
NZ Landcare Trust
PO Box 4305
Hamilton 3247
New Zealnd
www.landcare.org.nz
0800 526322
The Inventory forms a deliverable for the
Ministry for the Environment-funded ‘Citizen
Science Meets Environmental Restoration’
project (CEF 421)
Design and layout by Abby Davidson,
NZ Landcare Trust
Acknowledgements
Monica Peters would like to acknowledge the
input of the many programme and project
coordinators who supplied information for
this Inventory. Many thanks also to Karen
Denyer (National Wetland Trust), Richard Storey
(National Institute of Water and Atmospheric
Research) and Sam Hill (Auckland Council),
Nardene Berry (NZ Landcare Trust), whose
insightful reviews greatly strengthened the
Inventory.
Image credits
Outline of polaroid designed by Kstudio -
Freepik.com, Background
photograph designed by Kstudio - Freepik.
com
The sky-blue colou
r of Entoloma hoch
to the blue wattle of stetteri is similar
the kokako, hence
name for this spec the māori
ies of fungi, werew
Photo: Monica Peter ere-kōkako.
s
Cover image (left): NZ Landcare Trust Citizen Science Workshop Cover image (right): Monica Peters holding a Cook Strait
participants investigating aquatic invertebrates are infiltrated Giant Weta (Deinacrida rugosa) found whilst undertaking
by fascinated children who come down to the public reserve lizard monitoring on Matiu Somes Island.
where the event was being held.
2 | An inventory of citizen science programmes, projects, resources and learning opportunities in New Zealand
Summary
Citizen science broadly describes scientific One-off events – Data are collected by
investigations in which volunteers collect volunteers in response to events such as
data relating to biodiversity and the major floods, or for baseline flora, fauna and
environment to enhance our knowledge of fungi studies as occurs in a BioBlitz.
the natural world. This Inventory of citizen
science programmes, projects, resources and Citizen science initiatives included in the
learning opportunities is one output of the Inventory are numerous, and typically have
three-year, NZ Landcare Trust-led project, objectives that integrate ecological questions
‘Citizen Science Meets Environmental with wider public engagement and advocacy
Restoration’. concerns. Programme and project scales
range from national (such as the bird counts
In New Zealand, citizen science is now coordinated by Birds NZ), to local, site specific
recognised as an important method of initiatives (such as those coordinated by
data collection, a means for enhancing the community environmental groups and via the
public understanding of science, and of Participatory Science Platform). Volunteers
strengthening links between professional may supply data only, or monitoring
scientists and community members. programmes may be designed, delivered with
Here, science in the public realm includes data analysed and reported by community
mātauranga Māori [traditional ecological members with professional input as required.
knowledge] and a loose national network of The monitoring agendas therefore vary
community groups undertaking restoration widely. In the case of community groups,
projects that also monitor environmental monitoring generally serves to shape groups’
change (‘grassroots citizen science’). These own restoration projects and support funding
unique dimensions create an opportunity to applications, while in Participatory Science
redefine citizen science in a way that more Platform projects, the monitoring agenda
accurately reflects socio-cultural needs and may be shared between participants and
aspirations in New Zealand. partnering scientists. Overall, the scientific
studies included in the Inventory are diverse
For the purposes of the Inventory, projects and include determining species occurrences
have been categorised as: and distributions, identifying threats to
species and habitats, and investigating the
Timeframe unspecified – Volunteers collect effects of climate change. Resulting data
data which can be submitted any time for may be used to support responses to natural
projects that have no specified end date e.g., disasters, and for conservation planning and
the Department of Conservation’s Marine management.
Mammal Sightings database. These projects
may also be referred to as ‘crowdsourced’ Information on data ownership and
as participation is mostly open to the wider intellectual property (IP) is often not readily
public. available. Data storage varies from individual
paper-based systems (e.g., community
Timeframe specified, activities repeated – environmental groups), agency or institution
Volunteers collecting data over a specified administered databases, open access
time frame form the most numerous type databases (e.g., NatureWatch NZ and eBird) to
of citizen science project in the Inventory. semi-shared systems via project websites. In
Examples are community-led predator many cases, data can be used by researchers
control monitoring and bird counts, where and students for studies with permission from
data are collected within set time frames the project coordinator. Databases where
(e.g., seasonally), with monitoring activities sensitive data are included e.g., herpetofauna
repeated over the years. and mātauranga Māori, may be access
restricted.
An inventory of citizen science programmes, projects, resources and learning opportunities in New Zealand | 3
An increasing number of resources are Applications for citizen science in New
available to support the development, Zealand will continue to grow with water
implementation and evaluation of projects. quality monitoring, habitat and ecological
Monitoring toolkits for different ecosystems condition, and biosecurity possible areas for
have been designed for community usage expansion. Although the need to continue
though are generally not widely used or engaging diverse sectors of New Zealand
supported by professional organisations in society in scientific studies is important, other
New Zealand. Formal opportunities (e.g., participants such as tourists may also be
courses and workshops) for community targeted for future projects.
members to learn scientific methods and
identify species exist through government
agencies, NGOs/private organisations
and tertiary institutes. Ornithological and
botanical societies provide members and
interested parties with informal learning
opportunities.
Key recommendations for progressing citizen
science in New Zealand include defining
terminology associated with citizen science
along with the scope and boundaries of the
field; providing independent leadership for
citizen science; improving public access to
citizen science programmes, projects and
data, and establishing sources of long-term
funding. For community groups, greater
support is required for their environmental
monitoring activities, toolkit and protocol
selection as well as improving their capacity
to monitor their restoration project outcomes.
Lastly, a strategy is needed that enhances the
use of citizen science data and considers data
quality as well as legal and ethical factors.
Participants measu
re water quality at
Monitoring Worksho the Freshwater
p as part of the na
Science Symposium tional Citizen
in Wellington, April
2018.
4 | An inventory of citizen science programmes, projects, resources and learning opportunities in New Zealand
Contents
Summary 3 6 New tools 39
6.1 Bird monitoring 39
1 The Inventory 7
6.2 Animal pest monitoring 39
6.3 Pest fish 40
2 What is citizen science? 8
6.4 Other tools 40
2.1 Why is citizen science
important? 9
2.2 Citizen science and 7 Learning opportunities 42
mātauranga Māori 11 7.1 Formal learning courses
2.3 Grassroots citizen science 11 and workshops (classroom
and field-based) 42
7.2 Educational resources
3 Citizen science project types and programmes 46
in New Zealand 12
7.3 Informal learning
3.1 Timeframe unspecified 15 opportunities 47
3.2 Timeframe specified,
activities repeated 19
8 Recommendations 48
3.3 One-off events 26
8.1 Define citizen science
for New Zealand 48
4 Resources 31 8.2 Provide independent
4.1 Developing frameworks, leadership 48
policies and plans for 8.3 Improve access to citizen
citizen science 31 science programmes,
4.2 Developing, implementing and projects and data 49
evaluating projects 32 8.4 Evaluate existing citizen
4.3 Citizen science databases 32 science initiatives 49
8.5 Establish sources of
long-term funding 49
5 Monitoring toolkits and guidelines 33
8.6 Increase support for
5.1 Predator monitoring and community groups’
revegetation 33 environmental monitoring 49
5.2 Forests 34 8.7 Design a tool to aid
5.3 Freshwater 35 monitoring toolkit and
protocol selection 49
5.4 Estuaries and Coasts 36
8.8 Enhance community groups’
5.5 Wetlands 37 monitoring capacity 50
5.6 Whole ecosystem 38 8.9 Develop strategies for
enhancing citizen science
data use 50
8.10 Investigate new avenues 50
9 References 51
10 Appendices 55
An inventory of citizen science programmes, projects, resources and learning opportunities in New Zealand | 5
List of Tables
Table 1. Categories of citizen science
programmes and projects
in New Zealand 13
Table 2. Examples of ongoing
projects 15
Table 3. Examples of programmes
and projects where the
timeframe is specified and
activities are repeated 19
Table 4. Examples of Participatory
Science Platform projects 27
Table 5. Selection of BioBlitz and
EcoBlitz events 2004 - 2017 28
Table 6. Classroom and field-based
learning opportunities 42
Table 7. Environmental citizen science
projects funded in 2015
and 2016 through the
Unlocking Curious Minds
Contestable Fund 55
List of Boxes
Box 1. 10 Principles of Citizen Science 10
Box 2. Birds New Zealand 14
Box 3. NatureWatch NZ 18
Box 4. Unlocking Curious Minds 25
Box 5. Kiwi Coast: Community-led
kiwi recovery 30
Box 6. The Cacophony Project 41
6 | An inventory of citizen science programmes, projects, resources and learning opportunities in New Zealand
1 The Inventory
The Inventory is a component of the three- The Inventory provides a snapshot of citizen
year, NZ Landcare Trust (NZLT)-led project science activities underway in New Zealand,
Citizen Science Meets Environmental and highlights the scope and nature of citizen
Restoration (CEF 421). In addition, a series science activities, resources and learning
of working group meetings runs from opportunities available to the public. A
2016-2018. These comprise citizen science core function of the Inventory is to make
practitioners, project coordinators and information available so that duplication (e.g.,
interested parties (i.e. community members, of tools) can be minimised, and that existing
iwi [Māori tribe], government agencies, resources (e.g., guidelines and strategy
science providers, non-government documents) can be repurposed rather than
organisations (NGO) and others). The purpose reinvented. A series of recommendations are
of the working groups is to gather information put forward for progressing citizen science
on activities already underway, as well as in New Zealand, and are aimed primarily at
harness a broad range of perspectives on policy-makers, government agencies, funders,
what the main barriers and solutions are for project coordinators and researchers.
developing, implementing and sustaining
citizen science projects. The overarching aim The Inventory is intended to be a ‘living
of the Citizen Science Meets Environmental document’, with content updated as the
Restoration project is to develop knowledge, NZLT project evolves and new citizen
resources and capability within groups both science initiatives form. Inventory content
interested in, and actively participating in was sourced via web searches, white and
citizen science activities. grey literature reviews as well as direct
communication with the key project
stakeholders (i.e. citizen science practitioners,
project coordinators and others).
Note that evaluation of the effectiveness
and outcomes of citizen science initiatives,
investigating sources of funding, and
discussions on data quality were beyond the
scope of the Inventory.
table decussion at the
Participants in the round n,
posium held in Wellingto
national Citizen science Sym
April 2018.
An inventory of citizen science programmes, projects, resources and learning opportunities in New Zealand | 7
2 What is citizen science?
The term ‘citizen science’ was first used in the Other terms may be used interchangeably
mid-1990s and usage is now widespread1. For with citizen science, such as crowdsourcing.
the purposes of this Inventory, citizen science The term ‘crowdsourcing’ is frequently used
broadly describes scientific investigations to describe open participation in scientific
in which volunteers collect data relating to investigations to members of the public who
biodiversity and the environment to enhance are able to use and access the methods by
our knowledge of the natural world2. The which the data are collected. Crowdsourcing
way in which volunteers contribute to citizen has become synonymous with large-scale,
science projects varies widely, though for web-based projects where data are collected
many, volunteers collect data in the form of (e.g., via a smartphone app) by widely
records or observations with information on dispersed participants10. Citizen science has
when and where the data were collected3. also been regarded as a form of, or synonym
Physical samples e.g., for water quality for, community / civic science, as activities
monitoring or flora, fauna and fungi samples such as mapping, monitoring, modelling and
may also be collected, while images, video or scientific discovery are common to both11.
sound recordings may be analysed in order
to classify information contained within these Core participants of citizen science activities
sources. Volunteers may also design or co- may be referred to as ‘volunteers’, ‘community
design the research e.g., in partnership with members’ or ‘the public’. Participants may
science and land management professionals not describe or even identify themselves as
as well as analyse the data and report on ‘citizen scientists’ or regard the work they do
findings. as ‘science’, despite the scientific nature of the
work they carry out. Instead, terms such as
However, the diversity of people-centred, ‘birdwatcher’ or ‘volunteer weather observer’
participatory research methods has resulted are preferred12. Although terms such as
in confusion about where to establish the volunteer imply a lack of formal qualifications
boundaries of citizen science, and has led to related to the field of study, in reality many
inconsistent use of the term4-6. For this reason, projects include retired professionals, with
many different terms are currently used either some projects requiring rigorous training and
in conjunction with citizen science, such as certification to ensure that high standards of
community-based ecological monitoring7 data quality are maintained13.
and volunteer biological monitoring8 and
variations thereof. Participatory science,
(which forms the basis of the government-led
National of Curious Minds Strategic Plan9),
has many synergies with citizen science,
being defined as ‘a method of undertaking
scientific research where volunteers can be
meaningfully involved with the development
and progression of locally relevant scientific
research projects with science professionals’.
The expandin
g use of the te
a greater emph rm ‘citizen scie
asis on enablin nce’ reflects
participation g and enhanc
in scientific st ing public
udies.
8 | An inventory of citizen science programmes, projects, resources and learning opportunities in New Zealand
2.1 Why is citizen science
important?
Environmental monitoring by community along with greater community involvement in
volunteers has been underway for centuries. decision-making18-21. In addition, volunteers’
In Finland, amateur ornithologists have field-based activities can act as a catalyst
collected data on the timing of migration for enhancing stewardship, while social
since 174914. Long-term observations such interaction between participants can generate
as these, have provided valuable insights a stronger sense of community and shared
into patterns and trends, with data informing purpose22.
studies on evolution and climate change
effects on biota15. In addition to research In New Zealand, moves to broaden public
outcomes that can support environmental participation in biodiversity conservation
management and policy development, the by the Department of Conservation
economic and social reasons for increasing (DOC), has created ideal conditions for
and expanding support for citizen science developing citizen science initiatives that
are compelling. For example, leveraging from serve educational, advocacy and research
already well-established networks such as functions. New Government stretch goals
ornithological societies, large-scale, long- include making New Zealand predator free
term datasets can be constructed at low cost by 2050, by supporting the development of
relative to employing professionals for the new technologies and control techniques.
same purpose. The production of the 2007 Opportunities exist within the community
Bird Atlas of New Zealand (Ornithological conservation sector for greater cohesion
Society of NZ) resulted from a total of around community environmental groups’
31,817 completed field forms completed efforts to control and monitor predators
over five years by 850 individuals or teams. such as rats, stoats and possums, given that
A conservative estimate of the value of this the majority of their projects already have a
largely voluntary effort is more than $10 predator control component (see Section 2.3).
million16, 17. Documented social outcomes of
volunteer participation in monitoring include
improved scientific and ecological literacy,
Tools like the SHMAK (Stream Health Monitoring and
Assessment) Kit developed by NIWA aid in citizen
science data collection.
The public have provided records on earthquakes in
New Zealand since 1901. The GeoNet smartphone app
has streamlined data aggregation and provides instant
feedback to users. Photo: Monica Peters
An inventory of citizen science programmes, projects, resources and learning opportunities in New Zealand | 9
BOX 1. 10 Principles of Citizen Science
The following principles (developed by the European Citizen Science Association), support
and define best practice for citizen science.
1. Making engagement meaningful: 7. Promoting open science: Citizen
Projects actively involve citizens in science project data and meta-data
studies that generate new knowledge are made publicly available and where
or understanding. Citizens may possible, results are published in an
act as contributors, collaborators, open access format. Data sharing
or as project leaders and have a may occur during or after the project,
meaningful role in the project unless security or privacy concerns
2. Producing scientific outcomes: prevent this from occurring
Citizen science projects have genuine 8. Acknowledging volunteers: Citizen
science outcomes e.g., answering scientists are acknowledged in project
a research question or informing results and publications
conservation action, management 9. Embedding evaluation: Citizen
decisions or environmental policy science programmes are evaluated
3. Facilitating reciprocity: Benefits for their scientific output, data quality,
to science professional and citizen participant experience and wider
scientists participating in projects societal or policy impact
may include the publication of 10. Considering legalities and ethics:
research outputs, the creation of Citizen science project developers
learning opportunities, enhanced and coordinators consider the legal
personal wellbeing, and the and ethical issues surrounding
satisfaction of contributing to copyright, intellectual property, data
scientific evidence that address sharing agreements, confidentiality,
local, national and/or international attribution, and the environmental
issues, and responds to the needs of impact of any activities
diverse societies, cultures, and social-
ecological systems
4. Enabling multiple levels of
engagement: Citizen scientists may
participate in multiple stages of the
scientific process such as developing
the research question, designing the
method, gathering and analysing
data, and communicating results
5. Creating feedback loops: Citizen
scientists receive feedback from the
project. For example, how their data
are being used and what the research,
policy or societal outcomes are
6. Designing robust studies: Citizen
science is considered a research
approach like any other, with
limitations and biases that should
be considered and controlled for.
However unlike traditional research
landiae) forms
approaches, citizen science provides (H em iphaga novaesee
Th e ke re rū science project to
opportunity for greater public tion-wide citizen
the basis of a na ology of this impo
rtant bird.
engagement and democratisation of de rst an d th e ec
better un
science an
Photo: Jon Sulliv
10 | An inventory of citizen science programmes, projects, resources and learning opportunities in New Zealand2.2 Citizen science and development’. However, with the advent of
citizen science both as a participatory research
mātauranga Māori method and social movement, the nature of
The term citizen science is usually used within the relationship between mātauranga Māori
the western science paradigm, although other and citizen science, along with the role of
forms of knowledge have also been referred tikanga, requires discussion and definition.
to as citizen science e.g., traditional ecological As a relatively new concept and term in New
knowledge23, indigenous knowledge24, or Zealand, there is an opportunity to define the
lay, local and traditional knowledge25. There scope, nature and boundaries of citizen science
are obvious synergies between mātauranga in New Zealand and how it relates to other
Māori and citizen science as data collection, ways of understanding and being in the natural
analysis and the co-production of knowledge world.
mostly feature in both. Many Māori groups are
interested in monitoring the customary use of
resources, with projects often taking the form
2.3 Grassroots citizen science
of collaborations between science providers Throughout New Zealand, over 540 community
and Māori to determine the status of flora and environmental groups are restoring degraded
fauna species populations and sustainable sites, and improving and protecting habitat for
harvest baselines. For example, Moller et al.26 native species. Descriptors such as ‘friends, or
have worked extensively with Rakiura (Stewart stewards of’ and ‘care’ combined with a place
Island) Māori on the customary harvest of on name, often serve to identify groups (e.g., the
Tītī (Puffinus griseus; mutton bird). Kapa’s27 Friends of Flora and the Mangakotukutuku
research investigated the ethnobotany of kuta Stream Care Group). Numerous examples of
(Eleocharis sphacelata; spike rush), highlighting groups can be found on Nature Space, and
the interplay between tikanga [customary community group databases administered
practice] and mātauranga Māori. by Forest & Bird and the Department of
Conservation. Groups restoring estuaries can
Harmsworth28 writes that, ‘Identifying be found on a recently developed Department
synergies between Māori community of Conservation (DOC) website, and the NZLT
monitoring, and scientific and community- regularly profiles groups restoring various
scientific approaches may provide a platform ecosystems. These groups are largely self-
to integrate multiple stakeholder views mobilising groups primarily comprising
into resource management and policy volunteers although full- or part-time staff may
also be employed29.
Recent research30-32 shows that nearly one-
half of community environmental groups
surveyed (49%, n=282) carry out their own
environmental monitoring. Most of these
groups are reliant on partnerships, often
with resource management agencies as the
land owners/administrators and as sources of
funding. Partner activities include site visits and
technical support, and on occasion, assistance
with data management.
Groups’ monitoring is often output-based (e.g.,
measuring numbers of predators trapped), and
methods such as photopoints and 5-Minute
Bird Counts (5MBC) (54% and 53% respectively;
n=143), are frequently used. Approximately
one-third of groups (35%; n=218) combine
monitoring methods (e.g., 5MBC in conjunction
Tuna (Angu with predator control), to measure the
illa dieffen
stories con bachii; lon conservation outcomes of their restoration
nected to tr gfin eel) ap
cultural im ibal histori pear in work. Groups typically use their data to
portance o es, attestin
Jon Sulliva f th is species fo g to the
n r Māori. Ph support funding applications and to guide the
oto: management of their restoration projects.
An inventory of citizen science programmes, projects, resources and learning opportunities in New Zealand | 113 Citizen science project
types in New Zealand
With a wealth of citizen science initiatives For the purpose of this Inventory, three
underway in New Zealand, a general basic categories of initiative have been
framework is needed for grouping developed, firstly to showcase the variety of
programmes and projects with similar programmes and projects underway in New
characteristics together. In the literature, Zealand, and secondly, to highlight the ways
existing frameworks are based on how in which people may participate in scientific
members of the public participate in the studies. Categories are descriptive and not
project, and who leads the project33, or by mutually exclusive, as individual initiatives
project aims and objectives34. Many of these may contain elements of a number of these
classifications are weighted towards larger- categories. For example, data produced by
scale, professionally-led initiatives. However, community groups for their own restoration
in New Zealand the spectrum of what projects may also contribute to agency-led
constitutes citizen science is broad. Unique monitoring programmes. These groups may
features include the close alignment of citizen conduct many different kinds of monitoring
science with culturally-based monitoring within their projects such as base line studies,
(mātauranga Māori) and a strong, cohesive regular predator control monitoring and
community-led conservation sector with many documenting observations of species on an
groups undertaking their own monitoring ongoing basis.
programmes (i.e. grassroots citizen science)35.
However it is important to note that although
activities are included in the Inventory, the
participants may not define or describe their
initiatives or their activities as citizen science
or regard themselves as citizen scientists.
Community en
vironmental re
(Nelson): return storation projec
ing a damp pa t in Mapua
as a wetland. Ph ddock into its na
oto: Monica Pe tural state
ters
Groups managing areas larger than 8 ha, with medium
to high partner support and working on Department
of Conservation (DOC) or private land were likely to be
carrying out their own monitoring. Photo: Monica Peters
12 | An inventory of citizen science programmes, projects, resources and learning opportunities in New ZealandTable 1. Categories of citizen science programmes and projects in New Zealand
Project type Characteristics Examples in
Inventory
Timeframe Time frame: Ongoing with no time limits specified for the DOC Marine mammal
unspecified period of data entry. Data can be entered at any time over the sightings, GEONET felt
years earthquake reports
Data such as
observations Participants: Potentially open to all members of the public, or
of species or primarily to members of special interest groups (e.g., fishermen,
Although included
phenomena are birders)
in this category
provided by members
Leadership: Often government agencies, universities, crown- NatureWatch NZ is
of the public to
research Institutes or well established societies as these widely promoted, has
project coordinators
projects typically require significant capacity and coordination support for species
e.g., via direct entry
ID and makes data
into an online Geographical scale: Often cover large geographical areas (e.g.,
publicly available (see
database, an app or national)
Box 3)
manually using field
Level of support: There may be little support for data entry,
data sheets
databases may not be widely promoted
Data access: Results may not always readily available to the
public
Timeframe specified, Time frame: Specific time frame for data collection that is The Landcare
activities repeated repeated e.g., seasonally Research-led
Garden bird count;
Data are sourced Participants: Potentially open to all members of the public, or
agency – community
from members of primarily to members of specific groups (e.g., societies, schools)
partnerships, such
the public though
Leadership: Highly variable. Multi-party collaborations as the Pauahatanui
within a specified
between government agencies, community groups, NGOs, Cockle count, Kiwi
timeframe. Activities
iwi and science providers are very common. Many community call count monitoring
however are repeated
groups throughout NZ take a lead role in project design and and Waicare. Most
with monitoring e.g.,
implementation community groups
carried out seasonally
carry out monitoring
Geographical scale: Highly variable from projects centering
seasonally. Traditional
on a local resource e.g., stream or forest remnant to projects
ecological monitoring
500ha+
/mātauranga Māori
Level of support: Variable. Monitoring protocols are generally also mostly fits into
developed by scientists though data are collected by this category
community members who may also analyse and report on the
data
Data access: Results may not always readily available to the
public, or available on request from the project coordinator(s)
One-off events Time frame: Single, short-term event e.g., up to 48 hours only Flood mapping in
Christchurch, BioBlitz
Data are collected Participants: Mostly open to all members of the public, or to
and EcoBlitz events,
by the public e.g., in members of specific groups (e.g., schools). Community groups
and community
response to weather may also carry out baseline studies for their restoration projects
groups carrying out
events or for baseline
Leadership: Includes schools, science providers, museums, baseline studies
studies across all
NGOs and community groups
flora, fauna and fungi
species Geographical scale: Usually restricted to a specific locality
Level of support: Variable. A high level of support e.g., for
BioBlitz and EcoBlitz events though less so e.g., for flood
mapping
Data access: Results are generally readily available to the public
An inventory of citizen science programmes, projects, resources and learning opportunities in New Zealand | 13BOX 2. Birds New Zealand
Birds New Zealand also known as the data entry of these records. Regional
Ornithological Society of New Zealand projects are facilitated by local OSNZ
(OSNZ) was established in 1940, with representatives and reflect the
the overall goal ‘to create a nation-wide interests and expertise of members
study group with individual members and the unique features of each
or groups working on different aspects region. The majority of these projects
of ornithology as suits their interests or fall into the ‘time limited and repeated’
circumstances and all contributing to category as they are seasonal. The
the sum of ornithological knowledge’. To OSNZ produces a scientific journal
achieve this goal, the society runs a wide (Notornis) and other publications (e.g.,
range of projects throughout New Zealand Southern Bird), which promote birds in
at a national level and at a regional level. New Zealand and provide information
National projects include wader counts, to support the conservation and
arctic wader colour banding, moult and management of birds.
nest recording schemes, beach patrols,
reporting rare birds, and the NZ National
Banding Scheme. Projects such as beach
patrols and the reporting of rare birds fall
into the ‘ongoing’ category’ as they are
not seasonal. To date, over 25,000 records
have been collected by beach patrollers
with members now coordinating the
One of the earliest beach patrol survey cards, collected on 17 March
1943 at Ohariu Bay, Wellington. Image courtesy of OSNZ
14 | An inventory of citizen science programmes, projects, resources and learning opportunities in New Zealand3.1 Timeframe unspecified
Data are typically provided by members of the public or specific groups (e.g., societies or special interest
groups such as recreational fishermen), in projects with an open-ended time frame.
Table 2. Examples of ongoing projects
GEONET: FELT EARTHQUAKE REPORTS Geological and Nuclear Survey (GNS) www.gns.cri.nz
Objectives: Plot felt Methods: Online form Data storage: GNS Data IP and
National
Started:
earthquakes spatially available from project administered database access: All data
highlighting distributions and website and images
Data use: Enable real time
enabling disaster responses in freely available.
disaster response through
real time Data Policy
links with Civil Defense
and Disclaimer
provided
MARINE MAMMAL SIGHTINGS DATABASE Department of Conservation (DOC) www.doc.govt.nz
Objectives: Harness Methods: Online form Data storage: DOC Data IP and
National
Started:
information on species available from project administered database access: Given out
occurrences from members of website. Form includes a to researchers
Data use: Used in spatial
the public confidence field for users and students for
planning for Marine
to indicate the certainty of various research
Protected Areas, and for
their ID. Photos, locations, projects
informing the development
and descriptions are
of protection measures,
examined to determine
and during applications for
whether the species
mineral exploration
identified is likely to be
correct
AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE DISTRIBUTION SCHEME (ARDS) Department of Conservation (DOC) www.doc.govt.nz
Objectives: Develop an Methods: ARDS card Data storage: DOC Data IP and
Area: National
Started:
atlas of amphibians and downloaded from project administered database access: Access
reptiles to provide national website and posted restricted as
Data use: Conservation
distribution maps for each or emailed to project some species
management planning;
species recorded in NZ; coordinator may be targeted
Assist with taxonomic work
Raise awareness of NZ by wildlife
on un-described species;
herpetological fauna; Increase smugglers
Monitor the spread of
contributions to the database
introduced species of frogs
by members of the public
and lizards, and prevent
the spread of accidental
or deliberately introduced
species
BEACH PATROL SCHEME Birds NZ www.osnz.org.nz
Objectives: Provide Methods: Patrols can Data storage: Birds NZ Data IP and
Area: National
Started: 1951 (though some records date
from 1948)
information on the species be monthly or irregular administered database access: Contact
of seabirds washed onto NZ’s depending on local OSNZ project
Data use: Reports and
coasts; Record variations in resourcing. Individuals coordinator
publications investigating
seabird mortality; Increase walk the high tide line
the change in species
likelihood of recovering documenting and
occurrence over time
banded birds; Expand collecting findings though
museum seabird collections; groups may spread across
Provide specimens for other tide lines. Data entry
anatomical, biometric, forms provided by Birds
genetic, parasitological, and NZ, with data also able to
moult studies; Provide species be entered online
ID learning opportunities for
OSNZ members, and monitor
for oil-covered birds
An inventory of citizen science programmes, projects, resources and learning opportunities in New Zealand | 15GREY MULLET SURVEY National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) www.niwa.co.nz
Objectives: Investigate the Methods: Survey form Data storage: NIWA Data IP and
Area: National
Started: 2015
seasonal distribution and downloaded from administered database access: Contact
abundance of grey mullet project website posted or project
Data use: Will complement
(Mugil cephalus) around New observations emailed to coordinator
existing studies using
Zealand and in freshwater project coordinator
otolith (ear-bone) chemistry
systems
to reconstruct lifetime
environmental histories of
individual fish and genetics
to learn more about what/if
different populations exist
PHENOLOGY RECORDING SYSTEM NZ Plant Conservation Network (NZPCN) www.nzpcn.org.nz
Objectives: Provide a hub Methods: Online form Data storage: NZPCN Data IP and
Area: National
Started:
for recording phenology available from project administered database, access: Contact
observations website soon to be NatureWatch NZ project
coordinator
Data use: Baseline data on
flowering times for NZ flora
and to support climate
change studies
IDENTIFY ANIMALS Victoria University Wellington (VUW) www.victoria.ac.nz
Objectives: Crowdsource Methods: Volunteers are Data storage: VUW Data IP and
Area: Wellington
Started: 2014
animal identifications from provided with a sequence administered database access: VUW owns
camera trap images of three photographs the data, and
Data use: Wildlife research
showing various angle of VUW researchers
in urban areas
the same animal. Once the have access to
volunteers identified the the data
animal, they select their
choice and confidence
level. Volunteers can also
provide comments about
the photographs.
REPORT A BUTTERFLY SIGHTING Moths and Butterflies of NZ Trust (MBNZT) trust@monarch.org.nz
Objectives: Raise awareness Methods: Online form Data storage: MBNZT Data IP and
Area: National
Started: 2005
of butterfly diversity and available from project administered database access: Moths
species distributions in website and Butterflies
Data use: Available for
NZ. Also includes tagged of NZ Trust own
studies subject to approval
monarch butterflies to gauge the data which
by MBNZT
start and end locations of are available
overwintering generations of on approval by
monarchs MBNZT
16 | An inventory of citizen science programmes, projects, resources and learning opportunities in New ZealandREPORT PESTS AFFECTING MONARCH BUTTERFLIES AND MILKWEED Moths and Butterflies of NZ Trust (MBNZT)
trust@monarch.org.nz
Objectives: Raise awareness Methods: Online form Data storage: MBNZT Data IP and
Area: National
Started: 2007
of pests affecting Monarch available from project administered database access: Moths
Butterflies and Milkweed website and Butterflies
Data use: Available for
(Asclepiadoideae) of NZ Trust own
studies subject to approval
the data which
by MBNZT
are available
on approval by
MBNZT
REPORT A NATIVE BIRD SIGHTING Waikato Regional Council (WRC) www.wrc.govt.nz
Objectives: Monitor bird Methods: Online form Data storage: WRC Data IP and
Area: Waikato region
Started:
distribution particularly available from project administered database access: Available
bellbird (Anthornis website on request e.g., to
Data use: Investigate bird
melanura; korimako), science providers
distribution and identify
kākā (Nestor meridionalis), and universities
patterns. Of particular
kererū (Hemiphagiea for research
interest is the birds coming
novaeseelandiae) and purposes
into Hamilton city as part
tūi (Prosthemadera
of our Hamilton Halo
novaseelandae); Investigate
operation
any patterns that might occur
PROJECT HOTSPOT* Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society www.seasense.org.nz
Objectives: Capture local Methods: Sightings from Data storage: NatureWatch Data IP and
Area: Taranaki
Started: 2015
knowledge on four coastal members of the public NZ access: Contact
threatened species in are entered into the the project
Data use: Data will be used
Taranaki: orca (Orcinusoorca), NatureWatch NZ database, coordinator
to address the following
reef heron (Egretta sacra; or form downloaded from
questions: Where are the
matuku moana), little blue the project website and
hotspots for these species?
penguin (Eudyptula minor; uploaded with photos via
Why do these hotspots
korora) and New Zealand fur the project contact page
occur? and What are the
seal (Arctocephalus forsteri).
greatest threats to these
species and their habitats?
NATUREWATCH NZ NZ Bio-Recording Network Trust www.naturewatch.org.nz
Objectives: Engage, inform, Methods: Observations Data storage: Data are Data IP and
Area: Local to national
Started: 2012
raise awareness about can be anecdotal or part maintained and backed up access: Records
natural heritage, biosecurity of structured monitoring by iNaturalist are ‘owned’ by the
and ecological interactions; within projects or places - observers that
Data use: Can be used to
Engender conservation for plants, fungi, animals, enter them, with
unravel taxonomic and
literacy/ethics by supporting pests, flowers, and fish, various copyright
ecological questions
community-based projects, on land, in freshwater or options available
enhancing educational and in the sea. Locations may for photos and
tourism experiences, and be hidden or obscured data
providing an authentic basis (automatic for red-listed
for place-making and identity species)
* see Section 3.3.1 Participatory Science Platform projects
An inventory of citizen science programmes, projects, resources and learning opportunities in New Zealand | 17BOX 3. NatureWatch NZ
NatureWatch NZ (NWNZ; launched in on ability and experience. In addition,
2012) provides an online community for ecological restoration practitioners
nature watchers to record, share, identify can use Nature Watch to record project
and comment on species observations change over time e.g., monitoring
throughout New Zealand. The site is dimensions, abundance, condition,
run by the New Zealand Bio-Recording phenology and/or behaviour of tagged
Network Trust, a charitable trust plants or animals. As an interactive
dedicated to enhancing New Zealanders' platform, NWNZ enables conversations,
engagement with, and knowledge of the messaging, training (camera skills and
natural world. NWNZ is part of the global diagnostics). Calendar/diary and journal
iNaturalist open source network and is facilities are included and social media
linked to the New Zealand Organisms interfaces comprise Facebook, a blog site,
Register (NZOR) for a complete and up- and twitter feed. The Google community
to-date list of all NZ species. help forum provides support for users.
In May 2018, NWNZ has secured over Since its inception, NWNZ is used as a
323,000 observations with more than repository for an increasing number
11,800 identified species from 6300 of citizen science events (Bioblitzes
observers. Site users log on and upload a and EcoBlitzes), local species Inventory
photo or photos either via a computer or projects (e.g., Travis Wetland in
a mobile app, which automatically geo- Christchurch), projects centring on a
locates the species, and date of upload. single species (e.g., The Great Kererū
Data quality is maintained through 'ID Count), or particular groups of species
Please' feature, where identifications (e.g., New Zealand butterflies), and more.
are suggested by other NWNZ users. The New Zealand Bio-Recording Network
Alternately, users’ observations may be Trust intermittently runs free workshops
classified as ‘Research Grade’ depending on how to use NWNZ.
osoma nigriplan tare).
Common skink (Olig
Photo: Jon Sullivan
18 | An inventory of citizen science programmes, projects, resources and learning opportunities in New Zealand3.2 Timeframe specified, activities repeated
Data are sourced from members of the public though within a specified timeframe. Activities however are repeated, for
example monitoring may take place on a seasonal basis.
Table 3. Examples of programmes and projects where the timeframe is specified and activities are repeated
GARDEN BIRD SURVEY36 Landcare Research www.landcareresearch.co.nz
Objectives: Monitor Monitoring Methods: Online form Data storage: Landcare Data IP and
Area: National
long-term trends in Started: 2007 frequency: or paper-based form Research administered access: once on
common garden bird Annual. The available from project database, though will NatureWatch
populations; educate survey is open website. Paper-based eventually be stored on NZ, data will be
the public about for one week forms emailed to the NatureWatch NZ publicly accessible
native and introduced each winter with project coordinator
bird ecology and participants Data use: Could alert
conservation. spending one authorities to changes in
hour monitoring. the population trends of
garden birds, and could
provide circumstantial
evidence of the success (or
otherwise) of restoration
planting and other
management actions
NATIONAL WADER COUNT Birds NZ www.osnz.org.nz
Objectives: Monitor Monitoring Methods: Where Data storage: Birds NZ Data IP and
Area: National
Started: 1940s
long term trends in frequency: possible, groups of administered database access: Data
wader populations in Biannual (Nov volunteers will cover are owned
winter and summer - Dec and June - a whole harbour or Data use: Results of by Birds NZ.
at non-breeding July) estuary in one day. wader surveys have been Contact project
locations Over a period of several published in Birds New coordinators for
hours they will monitor Zealand and full reviews will access
movement of birds be published in Notornis
and count numbers of
each species. Official
count time is at the
peak of the high tide
but observers watch for
movement around this
time and record birds
that leave their site
MOREPORK SURVEY Birds NZ www.osnz.org.nz
Objectives: Engage Monitoring Methods: Twenty sites Data storage: DOC Data IP and
Area: Hamilton
Started: 2011
the community in frequency: e.g., amenity parks and administered database access: contact
monitoring ruru/ Annual. The gullies with established project
morepork (Ninox survey runs for vegetation were Data use: to quantify the coordinator
novaeseelandiae) five days each surveyed. Teams of success of urban restoration
presence and absence October over one observers recorded the projects and pest control
in the Hamilton urban hour at dusk time and approximate operations, as many of
area bearing of all ruru the desired outcomes
vocalisations at sites for of those projects (e.g.,
one hour each night for increased native vegetation
five consecutive nights and reduced mammalian
predators) would have a
positive impact on ruru
numbers
An inventory of citizen science programmes, projects, resources and learning opportunities in New Zealand | 19CHRISTCHURCH FLOOD MAPPING National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) floodphoto@niwa.co.nz
Objectives: Monitoring Methods: Photos and Data storage: NIWA Data IP and
Area: Christchurch
Started: 2014
Understand how frequency: After descriptions emailed to administered database access: Flood
vulnerable different major flood events coordinator maps are freely
parts of Christchurch Data use: Update available. Flood
are to flooding in the Christchurch flood maps project photos
future, particularly post-earthquake and associated
following the comments are
earthquakes. Improve credited to the
public safety original sources
HOW DEEP IS THE SNOW AT YOUR PLACE? National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) citizensnow@niwa.co.nz
Objectives: Fill data Monitoring Methods: Form Data storage: NIWA Data IP and
Area: National
Started:
gaps on snowfall at frequency: After downloaded, completed administered database access: Data are
low elevations around snow fall occurs and uploaded to open access and
NZ; understand how address supplied on the Data use: Characterize the can be provided
snowfall occurs, and project website complex patterns of snow for scientific
quantify snow-related depth and water content studies on request
risks to infrastructure which are important for
(e.g. buildings, power monitoring New Zealand's
lines, etc.) and impact water resources and snow-
on water resources related risks
COCKLE COUNT National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) & The Guardians of Pauahatanui (GOPI)
pauainlet@gmail.com
Objectives: Gauge Monitoring Methods: An Data storage: NIWA Data IP and
Area: Pauahatanui, Wellington
Started: 1992
ecosystem health by frequency: Every abbreviated method administered database access: Data are
examining trends in 3 years based on a 1976 owned by GOPI
Data use: Regular reports
cockle density and Department of
are prepared for the
size structure Scientific and
Guardians of Pauatahanui
Industrial Research
Inlet by NIWA
baseline study. 31
transects, sampled at 4
tidal heights: High tide,
upper-mid, lower-mid
and low tide
COMMUNITY SHELLFISH MONITORING* Auckland Council www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Objectives: Count Monitoring Methods: Shellfish Data storage: Auckland Data IP
Area: Hauraki Gulf (Auckland and Waikato Regions)
Started: 1993
and measure the frequency: are sampled in the Council administered and access:
dominant kinds of Annual same place annually database Participating
shellfish e.g., cockles using a quadrat and groups can carry
Data use: Assist the
and pipis, living in mesh sieve. Marine out their own
Ministry of Primary
sheltered beaches, life is counted and the analyses of the
Industries (MPI) assess
harbours and dominant shellfish survey data
the effectiveness of its
estuaries; increase (e.g., cockles and/or
shellfish harvesting limits.
environmental pipi) are measured
Findings are reported
awareness
to the community, sent
to MPI and the Hauraki
Gulf Forum, and included
in the State of the
Environment Report.
Programme is also linked
to NZ curriculum learning
outcomes and unit
standards
* Note the Auckland Council site contains many different shellfish monitoring projects
20 | An inventory of citizen science programmes, projects, resources and learning opportunities in New ZealandAUCKLAND BAT SPOTTERS Auckland Council biodiversity@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Objectives: Monitoring Methods: Sightings Data storage: Auckland Data IP and
Area: Auckland
Started: 2011
Raise awareness frequency: reported by members Council administered GIS access: Data
of long-tailed Mostly seasonal. of the public to database are Auckland
bats (pekapeka; Hand held bat Auckland Council Council owned
Data use: Investigating
Chalinolobus detectors can but available on
further formal monitoring
tuberculatus); be borrowed request
sites
Harness observations by members of
from members of the the public from
public Auckland Council
PROJECT ECHO BAT MONITORING Waikato Regional Council www.waikatoregion.govt.nz
Objectives: Gather Monitoring Methods: Online form Data storage: Waikato Data IP and
Area: Hamilton and surrounding rural
fringes
Started: 2012
information on long- frequency: available from project Regional Council access: Data
tailed bat (pekapeka; Mostly seasonal. website administered database are not publicly
Chalinolobus Hand held bat accessible,
Data use: Could lead to
tuberculatus) detectors can although are
on-going work to protect
distribution be borrowed periodically
bat roosting trees and
throughout Hamilton by members of shared with
provide predator control
city and surrounding the public free other agencies
rural fringes; raise of charge to involved in the
people’s awareness detect bats on Project Echo
of long-tailed bats; their properties multi-agency
protect and enhance from Hamilton collaborative
bat habitat, and Gardens
predator control
OPERATION DUCKPOND Fish & Game NZ pondstudy@fishandgame.org.nz
Objectives: Provide Monitoring Methods: Pond Data storage: Fish & Game Data IP and
Area: National
Started: 2014
data to drive frequency: 4 registrations required. NZ administered database access: Data are
management surveys required Field templates owned by Fish
Data use: Develop pond
decision making. per pond, though filled and emailed to & Game NZ.
management guidelines
Provide waterfowl may be reduced coordinator There is currently
for landowners interested
hunters and to one in late no facility
in developing ponds for
landowners an summer for receiving
breeding waterfowl
opportunity to instant data
become involved visualisations
and contribute to
the management of
waterfowl species
THE GREAT KERERŪ COUNT World Wildlife Fund for Nature and Forest & Bird NZ www.kererudiscovery.org.nz
Objectives: Monitoring Methods: Online form Data storage: Data IP and
Area: National
Started: 2012
Determine how frequency: available from project NatureWatch NZ access: Data
common kererū Annual. 5-minute website are publicly
Data use: Eventually
are around NZ; presence/ accessible
to build a picture of
abundance and absence counts
kererū numbers as well
distribution of within a 14 day
as behaviour. Data will
the New Zealand timeframe
help determine how
kererū (Hemiphaga
best to protect kererū
Novaeseelandiae;
and to enhance public
wood pidgeon)
participation
An inventory of citizen science programmes, projects, resources and learning opportunities in New Zealand | 21KĀKAHI SURVEY Greater Wellington Regional Council www.gw.govt.nz
Objectives: To Monitoring Methods: Kākahi Data storage: Greater Data IP and
Area: South Wairarapa
Started: 2015
engage the local frequency: collected for 30 Wellington Regional access: Data
community in a new Annual mins, measured and Council administered technically
scientific monitoring recorded before being database owned by the
programme of the returned to the lake Wairarapa Moana
Data use: population
kākahi (Echyridella Wetlands Project
studies of kākahi
menziesi; freshwater
mussels) population
of Lake Wairarapa
BIG BACKYARD BUTTERFLY COUNT Moths and Butterflies of NZ Trust (MBNZT) trust@monarch.org.nz
Objectives: Raise Monitoring Methods: Form Data storage: MBNZT Data IP and
Area: National
Started: 2015
awareness of New frequency: downloaded, from administered database access: Moths
Zealand’s native Annual; one hour project website, and Butterflies
Data use: Ultimately
butterflies, and on any one day completed and sent of NZ Trust own
to show the trends in
collect data on their between 10 and via freepost to the the data which
numbers and species
numbers and spread 30 November MBNZT are available
distributions, for planning
in gardens, parks, on approval by
the ongoing management
schools and on MBNZT
of NZ butterflies, their
farmland
special habitats and host
plants
MONARCH BUTTERFLY TAGGING PROGRAMME Moths and Butterflies of NZ Trust (MBNZT) trust@monarch.org.nz
Objectives: Monitoring Methods: Online form Data storage: MBNZT Data IP and
Area: National
Started: 2005
Investigate frequency: available from project administered database access: Moths
monarch butterfly Seasonal (the website and Butterflies
Data use: Data are
overwintering overwintering of NZ Trust own
available for studies
behaviour i.e., where butterfly the data which
subject to approval by
they overwinter and generation) are available
MBNZT
how many sites exist on approval by
MBNZT
KING TIDES AUCKAND King Tides Auckland www.auckland.kingtides.org.nz
Objectives: help Monitoring Methods: Photos Data storage: King Tides Data IP
Area: Auckland
Started: 2014
predict what our frequency: uploaded to project website and access:
coastline may look Biannually website or posted to Participants can
Data use: Researchers
like in 30-50 years project social media view images
and agencies can use the
with global sea level pages uploaded
photos to help work out
rises onto the King
what our coastal areas
Tides website,
may look like in the future
Facebook and/
and plan accordingly
or Instagram.
Photos can
be used for
educational,
research, non-
profit purposes
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