Unveil the secrets of SA’s biodiversity
Citizen science benefits biodiversity by providing researchers with valuable insights into the distribution, abundance and persistence of South Australia’s unique plant and animal species, and other indicators of environmental change.
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is celebrating the work of citizen scientists during April and encouraging people to head to their local park and get involved.
As part of its April Park of the Month program and coinciding with Citizen Science Month, NPWS is promoting events and quality resources to create the perfect opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to participate in this vital work.
Citizen science – which can involve activities such as recording frog noises or taking photos of different species – enables everyone to contribute to environmental science and research.
Department for Environment and Water Community and Nature Partnerships Manager Helen Donovan said South Australia’s national parks and reserves housed an incredible diversity of animals and plants.
“We have gathered all you will need to become a citizen scientist – whether it be attending an event, independently recording plant or animal sightings, or improving your knowledge with online resource – you can satisfy your enquiring mind and explore,” Dr Donovan said.
“The great thing about citizen science is that you don’t need a science background or technical knowledge to make significant contributions to important environmental research and monitoring. Often, you just need a keen eye and a mobile phone.”
Some of the citizen science workshops being held in South Australia’s network of parks and reserves this April include:
- An ethical photography and iNaturalist workshop in Naracoorte South Primary School and Naracoorte Conservation Park – presented by the Friends of Bool and Hacks Lagoons and the Native Orchid Society of South Australia.
- A Bush Bioblitz, where attendees can learn about native insects from an expert entomologist, in Kinchina Conservation Park – hosted by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board.
Resources, including a guide to iNaturalist to help budding citizen scientists excel at data collection, are also available.
These events, resources and more are available on the Park of the Month website: https://parks.sa.gov.au/get-inspired/park-of-the-month
People can find citizen science projects to get involved in year-round through the SciStarter Australia website: https://scistarteraustralia.au
