CITIZEN SCIENCE
Scientific research conducted by everyday citizens!
PlantingSeeds supports citizen science which contributes to important biodiversity research
Citizen science is about citizens who now, with the help of advancements in technology, can contribute high quality research data and engage in scientific research.
Enabled by Smartphones, tablets, apps and websites.
Generates massive data at low cost for scientists to use.
Biodiversity conservation: Citizen science fills information gaps to understand species’ declines, monitor species and inform actions.
Why urban citizen science?
Only 5% of citizen science projects in Australia are urban-based.
While 95% of Australians live in urban areas.
Cities are biodiversity hotspots: 30% of all threatened species in Australia are found in cities.
25% of plants of national significance and 46% of animals of national significance live in urban areas.
Less than 30% of our native species are named or described.
See what you can do for PlantingSeeds
Donations over $2 are tax deductible within Australia.
Citizen science & the B&B Highway
Citizen science, through data collection and pollinator and plant identifications, is now a key part of the B&B Highway initiative.
As well as participants contributing to much-needed biodiversity data and research, students - young and older - improve their scientific literacy and general STEM skills and contribute to community engagement in environmental initiatives.
By joining:
each B&B location makes valuable contributions to citizen science and biodiversity.
In this exciting initiative, students – from pre-schoolers to high schoolers – take images of plants and pollinators in their school yard with a school teacher uploading observations to national and international species’ biobanks.
For more on this, visit school info.
The National School Citizen Science B&B BioBlitz
PlantingSeeds leads and runs the National School Citizen Science BioBlitz, with the inaugural B&B BioBlitz established in 2022. The Department of Education featured the BioBlitz as its leading project for 2022 Science Week, promoting its support of STEM skills.
It was also a key component of the Department’s Biodiversity Month (September) program. The BioBlitz is supported by CSIRO’s Atlas of Living Australia and the Queensland Office of the Chief Scientist. It is open to all schools (including pre-, primary and high schools, universities and home schoolers) FREE of charge.
To find out more click here.
