Vermonters are invited to learn about how citizen science is employed to help with wildlife conservation in Vermont on Thursday, April 11, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area Conference Room in Addison, Vermont. This ‘Citizen Science 101’ presentation is free and open to the public and is limited to the first 50 people who register via email.
The presentation will be led by Erin Talmage, Director of the Birds of Vermont Museum, and Amy Alfieri who manages Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area and Visitor Center. Talmage will discuss the history and importance of citizen science and how the information collected can be used for conservation. Alfieri will discuss citizen science opportunities through the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
“Many people who enjoy the outdoors are looking for ways to volunteer their time to conservation,” said Alfieri. “In Vermont, we have several ways for the concerned public to participate, and we will take a look at some of those opportunities.”
After the presentation, there will be an optional walk to demonstrate how to upload observations using iNaturalist. Participants will come away with the ability to observe and catalogue the natural world for local and global citizen science projects.
“You don’t have to be an expert to be part of scientific research and monitoring,” said Talmage. “Through this workshop, you’ll learn how to easily observe and report plants and animals you see, hear, or photograph. And you’ll see how your data can be used by scientists to measure changes over time and contribute important information to conservation.”
Smart phones are not required for this event, but if participants have one and want to practice using iNaturalist, an opportunity to ask questions about do so will follow the presentation. The Dead Creek Conference Room is located at 966 Route 17 West in Addison. To sign up, email Amy Alfieri at amy.alfieri@vermont.gov.
For Immediate Release: March 19, 2019
Media Contacts: Amy Alfieri, 802-759-2398