Citizen Science
The Blue Carbon Lab has successfully developed and run multiple citizen science and educational programs to engage staff and the community in a range of environmental issues (e.g. climate change, blue and teal carbon, marine biosecurity, farm dams, marine plastics).
Our team has the capacity to develop a tailored citizen science program from start to finish: delivering engaging outreach presentations, engaging staff or donors in the field for hands-on immersive experiences, and using the data collected to further advance our understanding of environmental issues.
Citizen science activities
– Educational talks
– Immersive hands-on fieldwork
– Follow-up communications
Case Study: HSBC Citizen Science
The HSBC Blue Carbon Citizen Science program, is a multisector R&D initiative empowering Australian industries to build a sustainable future, while advancing Deakin University’s research on coastal wetlands and climate change. In partnership with HSBC and Earthwatch Australia, the program engages and invests in human capital who can invoke change and steer Australia towards a blue economy.
The HSBC program was designed as a full-day immersive experience combining educational and data collection activities in a local wetland. A total of 21 HSBC citizen science days were delivered in the 2-years of the program.
Educational talks: Participants first received a series of talks on natural capital, ecosystem services coastal wetlands and Blue Carbon.
Fieldwork: Citizen Scientists then travelled to local wetlands to participate in different data collections activities. Once on site, Deakin’s scientists explained the research and demonstrated the field protocols. Participants then worked in teams to collect soil cores for carbon stock analysis, measure wetland vegetation deploy/retrieve tea bags, among other field activities. Fieldwork slightly differed from site to site depending on the research project and wetland visited.
Project partners
This program was funded by HSBC as part of the HSBC Water Program; an eight-year US$150 million program aimed at tackling the global water challenge through water provision, protection, education, and scientific research.
The HSBC Blue Carbon citizen science program was delivered by Deakin’s Blue Carbon Lab in partnership with Earthwatch Australia. Several institutions from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom contributed to the research.
