Until recently, the number of citizen scientists in Australia was estimated at between 100,000 and 130,000 people.
But this is a major underestimate. My survey of about 20 key organizations suggests there are likely more than a million in Australia.
There are only a limited number of professional (paid) scientists. But anyone with a smartphone can log observations, and professional scientists increasingly work alongside citizen scientists to collect and analyze valuable conservation data.
Citizen science isn’t new. Perhaps the best-known citizen scientist was Charles Darwin, who neglected to finish his medical degree in favor of studying corals. Later, the prolific letter writer built a network of passionate naturalists and collected their observations to gather evidence for his theory of evolution.
But what is new is how easy it is to get involved — and how many people are now lending their time and skills to the cause. It opens up the possibility of science by the people, for the people.
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