Tag: citizen science

Citizen scientists help researchers protect keystone species

by Megan Winslow
April 16, 2025

Range maps for diamondback terrapins – a type of vulnerable turtle species – highlight the entire United States East Coast and Gulf Coast. Until a few years ago, however, the shading hiccupped between Port St. Joe, Florida, and Mobile, Alabama ... READ MORE

Are we losing our wildlife to benches and ballparks? UF/IFAS research shows how smart designs can avoid it

by Lourdes Mederos
April 10, 2025

Across the United States, more than 440 national parks and 7,400 urban parks offer a variety of recreational green spaces for people and pets. Yet, the United States Forest Service warns that urbanization, including park development, ... READ MORE

Category: , Community Volunteers, Conservation, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Biodiversity, Birds, Carbon, Citizen Science, Community Involvement, Corey Callaghan, Ecology, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Green Spaces, Greenspace Management, Habitats, Health, Heat Islands, Human Activities, Inaturalist, Insects, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Lawns, Mammals, Nature, News, Parks, Planners, Plants, Pollinators, Recreation, Recreations, Smart Park, UF-IFAS, United States Forest Service, University Of Florida, Urban Green Spaces, Urban Parks, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Ecology And Conservation

Smalltooth Sawfish in the Indian River Lagoon

by Holly Abeels
March 5, 2025

In February 2025, I attended the Indian River Lagoon Symposium. Every year the symposium aims to present the latest knowledge and research about the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) and its management. If you’re interested in learning more about ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Citizen Science, Conservation, Environment, Fish, Florida Sea Grant, Indian River Lagoon

Can citizen science save Florida’s ecosystems? UF’s efforts demonstrate surge in invasive species detection and response

by Lourdes Mederos
March 5, 2025

Thanks to the power of citizen science, everyday people are becoming frontline defenders in the battle against invasive species. By reporting sightings and contributing valuable data, the public is helping researchers detect threats sooner ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Asian Swamp Eel, Citizen Science, Citizen Scientists, EDDMaps, Invasion Science Research Institute, Invasive Soft Coral, Invasive Species, IVE-GOT1, Lungworm, Melissa Miller, News, Paul Evans, U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers, U.S. Geological Society, U.S. Geological Survey, UF-IFAS, USGS, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species, USGS Wetland And Aquatic Research Center

Great Backyard Bird Count

by Holly Abeels
February 17, 2025

I have the Merlin Bird ID mobile app on my phone. It comes in handy when I hear a bird, but I am not sure what it is. The app has a feature where you can record sound, and it compares the sound to its database of bird calls. Then, it shows you ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Birds, Citizen Science, Wildlife, Wildlife ID

Citizen science and why it matters, UF/IFAS experts explain

by Lourdes Mederos
February 4, 2025

Have you ever noticed unusual plants, animals or insects in your area? Chances are there is way to help scientists learn more about them. Then there are invasive species – non-native species that threaten Florida’s ecosystems, agriculture ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Citizen Science, Community Engagement, Conservation, Corey Callaghan, Croc Docs, Crocodilians, Data, EDDMaps, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Frank Mazzotti, FWC, Inaturalist, Invasion, Invasion Science Research Institute, Invasive Species, ISRI, IveGot1, Lourdes Mederos, Melissa Miller, Native Species, News, Non-native Species, Paul Evans, Sergio A. Balaguera-Reina, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Geological Survey Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Information Resource System, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida, Wildlife Ecology And Conservation

Hop into science: UF/IFAS guide empowers communities of all ages to explore tiny but mighty hoppers

by Lourdes Mederos
January 21, 2025

Spotted a tiny, colorful critter hopping on a leaf and wondered what it was up to? Meet the hoppers — leafhoppers, planthoppers and treehoppers. (more…) READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Agriculture, AskIFAS, Beneficial Insects, Brian Bahder, Citizen Science, Conservation Efforts, Corey Callaghan, Data, Department Of Entomology And Nematology, Department Of Wildlife Ecology And Conservation, Ecosystems, Entomology And Nematology, Hoppers, Inaturalist, Insects, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Invasives, Leafhoppers, News, Observations, Pests, Planthoppers, Research, Treehoppers, UF-IFAS

UF study demonstrates role of public participation in environmental policy decision-making

by Lourdes Mederos
October 10, 2024

As updates to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) usher in a new era requiring environmental reviews with robust public engagement, a new University of Florida study, titled “Citizen science as a valuable tool for environmental ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Bureau Of Land Management, Citizen Science, Corey Callaghan, EBird, Ecosystem Health, EIS, Environmental Impact Statement, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Inaturalist, Laura López-Hoffman, National Environmental Policy Act, NEPA, Policymakers, U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers, U.S. Forest Service

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