Citizen science involves community volunteers using practical field monitoring tools, that meet scientific best practice, to report on the state of their local environment.

In New Zealand, citizen science is adding new dimension to how scientific studies can be carried out.

As the field matures, opportunities are opening for designing novel studies and tools to collect data that would/could otherwise not be carried out by professionals alone.

Community conservation groups carrying out environmental monitoring are one part of the citizen science story in New Zealand. This project sought to enhance our current understanding of the field as well as look to the future.

Case studies:
As a result of a number of community conversations, field tours and community monitoring days, NZ Landcare Trust proudly launched a series of citizen science case studies identifying some of the key themes, tools and community environmental monitoring activities that are happening across New Zealand.

These have the potential to further engage and inform New Zealand communities around the state of our environment, providing a starter for maintenance and/or enhancement.

These PDF case studies below have been produced as part of the NZ Landcare Trust Citizen Science meets Environmental Restoration Project, funded by Ministry for the Environment.

PDF – Citizen Science Case Studies: Introduction

PDF – Citizen Science Case Studies: Wetland Monitoring

PDF – Citizen Science Community Guide to Ecological Monitoring

PDF – Citizen Science: Understanding Riparian Areas

PDF – Citizen Science Case Studies

PDF – Citizen Science Case Studies: Water Quality Monitoring

PDF – Citizen Science Case Studies: Kiwi Success

PDF – Citizen Science Case Studies: Technology