Partnering for science: proceedings of the USGS Workshop on Citizen Science
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Resource Abstract:
<p>What U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) programs use citizen science? How can projects be best designed while meeting policy
requirements? What are the most effective volunteer recruitment methods? What data should be collected to ensure validation
and how should data be stored? What standard protocols are most easily used by volunteers? Can data from multiple projects
be integrated to support new research or existing science questions? To help answer these and other questions, the USGS Community
of Data Integration (CDI) supported the development of the Citizen Science Working Group (CSWG) in August 2011 and funded
the working groups proposal to hold a USGS Citizen Science Workshop in fiscal year 2012. The stated goals for our workshop
were: raise awareness of programs and projects in the USGS that incorporate citizen science, create a community of practice
for the sharing of knowledge and experiences, provide a forum to discuss the challenges ofand opportunities forincorporating
citizen science into USGS projects, and educate and support scientists and managers whose projects may benefit from public
participation in science.To meet these goals, the workshop brought together 50 attendees (see appendix A for participant details)
representing the USGS, partners, and external citizen science practitioners from diverse backgrounds (including scientists,
managers, project coordinators, and technical developers, for example) to discuss these topics at the Denver Federal Center
in Colorado on September 1112, 2012. Over two and a half days, attendees participated in four major plenary sessions (Citizen
Science Policy and Challenges, Engaging the Public in Scientific Research, Data Collection and Management, and Technology
and Tools) comprised of 25 invited presentations and followed by structured discussions for each session designed to address
both prepared and ad hoc "big questions." A number of important community support and infrastructure needs were
identified from the sessions and discussions, and a subteam was formed to draft a strategic vision statement to guide and
prioritize future USGS efforts to support the citizen science community. Attendees also brainstormed proposal ideas for the
fiscal year 2013 CDI request for proposals: one possible venue to support the execution of the vision.</p>
Citation
Title Partnering for science: proceedings of the USGS Workshop on Citizen Science