NRDC Whitebark Pine Citizen Science Project

1. NRDC Whitebark Pine Citizen Science Project • Robert Hoskins, GravelBar • WBP Ecosystem Foundation Annual Meeting • 13 September 2008

2. Briefing Points • What Is Citizen Science? • Strengths of Citizen Science • Weaknesses of Citizen Science • Citizen + Professional Science • NRDC Whitebark Pine Citizen Science Project • GravelBar Surveys of Whitebark Pine • Future of Citizen Science

3. Contextual Qualitative Observational Community-based Multi-generational Democratic Spiritual (TEK)‏ What Is Citizen Science? • Traditional (Indigenous) Ecological knowledge (TEK)‏ • Phenology (Farmer's Almanac)‏ • Natural history • “In the field, on the land” • Watershed mapping

4. Strengths of Citizen Science • Fill in gaps in agency budgets/personnel • Flexible, unbureaucratic • Close and continuous coverage of specific places (e.g., Audubon Christmas Bird Count)‏ • Ground truthing/ monitoring/reconnaissance/early warning • Watershed awareness/public education • Community cohesion

5. Weaknesses of Citizen Science • Cultural biases can limit or prevent self-correction (e.g., demand for predator control)‏ • Training & funding • Requires personal commitment & tradeoffs • Community may be suspicious of use of CS (e.g., rural and indigenous communities)‏ • CS activities may be incidental (undirected or haphazard) to primary land activities & uses

6. THE IDEAL Rigor of scientific method by professionals + Detailed watershed knowledge by citizens = Deeper, more extensive scientific knowledge >>> More effective conservation and management action Citizen + Professional Science

7. NRDC Whitebark Pine Citizen Science Project • Grizzly bear conservation in the GYE • Inherent importance of WBP forests • Limited/inadequate monitoring of WBP • Lack of funding • Lack of public awareness & education • Scientifically designed & directed process for reporting & documenting WBP mortality from MPB infestation

8. What We've Learned Of Interest—Regeneration of WBP Of Interest—Burnt WBP Forest GravelBar Surveys in the Southern GYE 2007-2008

12. What We've Learned 2007-2008 • MPB Infestation of WBP less at “periphery” of ecosystem • Path of MPB infestation follows Continental Divide NW to SE (break: Clear Creek at Green River Lakes)‏ • Within specific watersheds, paths and loci of MPB infestation appear random • Tree damage from wind, animals, and humans may play a factor in WBP vulnerability to MPB • No sign of WBP blister rust in “peripheral” watersheds

13. Regardless of level of WBP mortality from MPB and where it occurs, ongoing regeneration of WBP is extensive and widespread throughout the southern part of the ecosystem Of Interest—WBP Regeneration

18. Of Interest—Burnt WBP Forest • Venus Creek and Upper Greybull River Fire, Summer 2006—over 30,000 acres burned west of Meeteetse, Wyoming • MPB infestation widespread before fire • Low survival—many young trees killed by ground fire • Too early to assess WBP regeneration • Avian (e.g., bluebird, Clarks Nutcracker) and mammal (e.g., elk, squirrel) life nevertheless flourishing in burnt forest

25. Depends upon a critical mass of citizens intimately involved with their local watersheds (commons) with responsibility for their conservation, restoration, and sustainable use Catalyst will be a cadre of committed citizens with scientific training and knowledge but rooted in specific places and communities Future of Citizen Science

26. Thank You. Questions?