Mapleton-based resident, Professor Steve Turton, Vice Chair of the Australian Citizen Science Association (ACSA) was the conference co-convenor. Prof. Turton worked with a Queensland-based local organising committee to deliver a very successful conference at the University of the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Sponsor for the event.
Citizen science is the collection and analysis of scientific data in relation to the natural world, performed predominantly by citizens, usually in collaboration with scientists and field experts. Citizen scientists work with scientists or the scientific framework to achieve scientific goals. Citizen science is a great way to harness community skills and passion to fuel the capacity of science to answer our questions about the world and how it works. The 10 Principles of Citizen Science provide an overview of its many benefits to the environment and society, including health and wellbeing.
The Australian Citizen Science Association (ACSA) is member-based incorporated association that seeks to advance citizen science through the sharing of knowledge, collaboration, capacity building and advocacy.
ACSA was first conceived in 2014 when many dedicated volunteers came together to discuss how to increase awareness and support of Australian citizen science both nationally and globally.
ACSA’s biennial national conference was held at the University of the Sunshine Coast (Sippy Downs Campus) from 20-23 November 2023. About 200 delegates from Australia and overseas participated in the four-day event that included workshops, field trips, plenary keynotes and breakout sessions. The conference theme was “Inspire, Impact and Influence”. The Friday after the conference witnessed the launch of the first day of the Great Southern BioBlitz 2023.
Highlights from the conference included informative keynote speeches from Dr Fiona Fraser (Threatened Species Commissioner), Professor Kerrie Wilson (Queensland Chief Scientist), Andy Ridley (CEO of Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef), Associate Professor Kathy Townsend (University of the Sunshine Coast), Margaret Gold (Citizen Science Lab, Leiden University, The Netherlands), and Costa Georgiadis (Landscape Architect, Environmental Educator, TV Presenter).
A diverse range of parallel and symposia sessions were held showcasing the diversity of citizen science initiatives being undertaken across the country. These included conservation and biodiversity, citizens science practice, collaboration and co-creation, citizen science in schools and education, communication and public engagement, citizen science in gardens and backyard, ecosystems, waterways, and climate change.
A locally focussed symposium on “BioBlitzes” included speakers from Nambour-based ECOllaboration, Sunshine Coast Environment Council, Mooloolah River Landcare, Sunshine Coast Council, Noosa and District Landcare, and Barung Landcare. The following is a short list of projects that may interest readers and offer a forum to share interest in science.
Koala App
If you see a wild koala in Queensland, report it to the Department of Environment and Science by using the free QWildlife app for iOS and Android. The Koala app is useful to have on your phone as a means of assisting protection of our koalas. Report sightings, especially of injured koalas in need of assistance.
Queensland Government Koala App
FrogID
The Australian Museum FrodID App. This initiative has excellent online support and is a project for all ages. Simply download the App, register, start recording and submit your recording. You will receive a list of the frogs identified and details about them including their conservation status.
The iNaturalist Australia app contributes to the Atlas of Living Australia. The Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) is a collaborative, digital, open infrastructure that pulls together Australian biodiversity data from multiple sources, making it accessible and reusable. You can learn more at ALA website.