Be a Citizen Scientist
It is fun and easy to be a part of understanding and protecting our environment. The Florida Keys offers some unique opportunities for adults and children to observe and interact with a variety of natural habitats. On a recent visit to Sombrero Beach, 10-year-old Noah Hattendorf located, identified and released 8 different marine species. These included Sargasso shrimp, a sea scallop, horseshoe crab and several small fish species. Armed with a small net, a note pad and a bucket this amateur scientist takes every opportunity to locate and catalog shore species.
Citizen scientists volunteer to help many agencies detect and respond to environmental threats. An excellent opportunity for the citizen scientist to contribute valuable data is to get involved in one of the various national or regional species counts. Data collected from species counts provide population trends that serve as valuable indicators of environmental quality. Citizen scientists should always make sure they do not harm the habitats they are studying. You can learn about eco-friendly ways of data collection in “Watching Florida Wildlife” by Joe Schaeffer available from University Press of Florida.
You can become an active steward in the conservation of coral reefs and other marine habitats through volunteer fish and sea turtle monitoring programs. The Great American Fish Count and the REEF Fish Survey Project produce valuable data on fish abundance and distributions. Mote Marine Lab’s Sea Turtle Beach Patrol program collects data from volunteers who patrol beaches every morning from May through October looking for signs of nesting and hatching activity.
If feathered friends are more your style, you’re in luck. The Florida Keys are home to many different bird colonies and lies within a major migratory route of hundreds of species. The National Audubon Society’s programs such as Project Colony Watch, the Christmas Bird Count, and the Great Backyard Bird Count use volunteer bird-watchers to adopt and protect local water bird colonies and migratory species. Hawk Watch International sponsors a volunteer census of the raptors passing through the Middle Keys at Curry Hammock State Park each year.
Try something new this summer. Brush up on local butterfly identification and plan to participate in the first annual North American Butterfly Association Memorial Day Count May 30-June 1. They also sponsor the annual 4th of July Butterfly Count. This one-day census counts all butterflies within a 15-mile diameter count area, usually a few weeks before or after the 4th of July. To find count areas, check the online list. Do you want to create wildlife friendly landscaping? Check out “Landscaping for Florida’s Wildlife” Series.
You can also join the Society for Amateur Scientists run by professional and amateur scientists. The S.A.S. has local chapters throughout the country. These local chapters allow amateur scientists to meet, discuss and perform scientific endeavors of all types.
The presence or absence of certain species can be an important measure of environmental health. Join the citizen scientists all over the world who contribute valuable data, allowing researchers to track and respond to environmental changes.
Additional information on family and community development is available from the UF/Monroe County Extension Service, 1100 Simonton St. #2-260, Key West, Florida 33040, phone 305-451-4234 or e-mail Monroe@ifas.ufl.edu. Our services are free and available to all without regard to race, color, sex, or national origin.