“A Voice From The Field” A Scientist’s Perspective on the Benefits of Using Citizen Science for the Past 20 Years John Rollino Senior Ecologist, AECOM P.I. Bahamian Reef Survey

Bahamian Reef Survey Earthwatch Institute- Funded Research Project To date, longest running coral reef research project of its kind (1992-present). San Salvador: Pop 1, N and 74.3W. 520km East-southeast of Miami. San Salvador is purported to be the Columbus’ first landfall in 1492.

Volunteers Local Bahamian students (with P.I. John Rollino) participated in data collection and reef restoration experiments. Approximately 1000 volunteers have participated. Ages 16-86, various professions, including members of the European Environmental Agency. Volunteers participate in a setting and culture very different from their own. Project utilizes local Bahamian adults and high school students. Makes use of traditional social roles in research.

Benefits of Volunteers Serve as a “force multiplier” Provides the lay person with firsthand experience, with scientific issue(s) and data collection. Can provide useful information: local knowledge, anecdotal references, prior site photographs, etc. Approximately 90 percent of the data has been collected by volunteers. Volunteers collecting data on reef.

Economic Benefits of Citizen Science Monitoring projects conducted by commercial firms realize labor costs, overhead, travel and per diem at >95 percent of budget. For projects requiring long distance travel, project field stays often time limited. Local volunteers do not have such constraints. Local volunteers: Ability to provide past history, information, etc. This translates into a cost and time savings. Bahamian Reef Survey – Case Study: - Commercial science firm: approximately € ($128K USD) - Local volunteers with one scientist for training and data analysis: € ($12,400 USD) - Local Volunteers Only (Scientist volunteering time): € 87- € ($125 - $1,500 USD)

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