Citizen Scientist
Never thought of yourself as a citizen scientist before? Expand your self-identification by engaging yourself with the great outdoors in a brand new way. Grab your camera and head for the outdoors with a notebook and pen with friends, family, or a loved one for a day of outdoors adventure that will benefit the scientific studies of nature. Butterflies and Moths of North America is a nonprofit organization that encourages hobbyists, photographers, and nature lovers of all ages to submit their photos and documentation to the regional coordinator for their state. The specimens are cataloged and mapped on their website. The collection of this data would be impossible without the help of citizen scientists and it is a fun way to get involved. You can browse the beautiful photographs of Americas butterflies and moths at their website, and look up your regional coordinator. www.butterfliesandmoths.org
Wildlife Watch is another national nature watching program. The National Wildlife Federation and partners use the findings to track the health and behavior of plant and wildlife species across the country. With climate change and urban sprawl continuing to destroy the natural habitats and wild spaces of our country, our wildlife is on the run and now more than ever, American citizens of all ages are encouraged to explore the great outdoors and share your findings and enthusiasm with others in your community. Enjoy the parks and forests in your area, bring along a camera, invite friends or groups that you belong to, to join you or do the same. It is an engaging and healthy way to spend your free time and it helps our country's conservationists do their jobs better. If you have kids or are a teacher or camp counselor, this is a wonderful project for children to become involved in. www.nwf.org/wildlifewatch
One of Wildlife Watch's many partners include Monarch Waystations, a national citizen science program powered by volunteers who provide habitats for butterflies and other pollinators. Monarch butterflies are in rapid decline due to the use of pesticides in non-organic commercial farming and the destruction of open spaces for housing and retail developments. Honeybees have long been in the news now for their disappearance and the consequential devastation that has had on farming and food production. It doesn't happen without these winged beings, folks. And no, we can't just blame it all on the African Killer Bees. With an annual loss of 2.2 million acres of natural land to development, that is 6,000 acres per day, can you provide a waystation for our butterflies, bees, and moths by planting some flowers? Sure you can! Everyone loves flowers. Planting a few flowers in your yard or on your balcony does make a difference to the beautiful butterflies and busy bees of our country. Nectar producing flowers like milkweed, cosmos, joe pye weed, floss flowers, and purple coneflowers will do our national Monarch butterfly and cross pollinating population a world of good. For more details on seed kits and becoming a certified waystation at home, school, park, church, or wherever you are able to create a flowery oasis for these winged royal beauties, see www.monarchwatch.org
Cornell University's Lab of Ornithology invites bird lovers to photograph and document their observations and send them in- wherever you happen to be. Whether it is your own backyard, city apartment, or state park. As global warming changes weather patterns worldwide, the migratory patterns and habits of our birds are changing too. Our relationship with birds in cities is becoming more prevalent, thanks again to the loss of forest lands and meadows for metropolis. Instead of treating them as pests, it is up to us to assimilate what little green space we have in suburbia and downtown to accommodate the wildlife that has been displaced for tons the tons of concrete which we now occupy.
Recent controversy addresses the effect of our growing wind industry on migratory wildlife. Billions of birds migrate every year, riding the same currents that are most beneficial to creating wind energy by turbines. Birds and bats are being slaughtered by these machines, which America so desperately needs to become independent from foreign oil.
A meeting which took place July 23, 2009 amongst top scientists from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, American Bird Conservancy, and The Johnson Foundation of Windspread sat down to discuss solutions and identify top research priorities. These priorities include studying bird and bat behaviors and estimating the rate of their mortality at existing wind turbines, using current and new population data to research migratory paths and timing as well as their distribution in airspace as impacted by wind turbines, weather and topography. Check out their site for the specifics of how you can submit your findings and help America's birds survive the changes of our country. www.birds.cornell.edu
While it may seem like doom and gloom when it comes to nature and wildlife, realize that human civilization doesn't always have to be the bad guy. As the climate changes, our needs for energy and industry change, nature too, changes and it doesn't always have to be for the worst. While you may feel that you can't compete with the loss of 2.2 million acres of wild space every year, polar ice caps melting and the extinction of polar bears followed by scores more.... realize that every little thing that you do DO – makes a difference. It helps. This is real life and it is happening very quickly. Do yourself a favor and spend some more time outside in nature. Really connect with all the beauty and life that is all around you. Plant some flowers, take some time to meditate on what is important to the world and in your life. I guarantee you, at your life's beginning and at your life's end, your fondest memories will be of beautiful sunrises and sunsets, afternoons on the water, walks in the forest, and spending time with friends and loved ones in the great outdoors. The great outdoors needs you to do a little something to give back now. You'll both feel really good about it. In times like these, every good deed goes a long way.
Plant some flowers, please! We like the sweet kind!
