Image by Rich Baybutt. Words by Sarah-Jane Brown
I stopped paying attention in science lessons at school pretty much as soon as I sat down in the classroom. Yeah sure, the practical lessons of burning stuff were quite fun, but don't ask me what we were burning or what the reason was for different coloured flames.
If this is the first your even hearing the word 'science' again since school, then don't worry you most certainly aren't alone. But what happens when you chuck the word 'citizen' in front of it? I'll be honest, before working on this project I didn't really know either.
So what happens when you don't know something? Well I either invent a make shift definition in my head of what I reasonably think it could be, or you turn to the universal truth of knowledge, Google and search around until you wish maybe ignorance was bliss after all?
But according to National Geographic, Citizen Science is:
The practice of public participation and collaboration in scientific research to increase scientific knowledge. Through citizen science, people share and contribute to data monitoring and collection programs. 24 Sept 2024
Okay, seems simple enough. What does this look like in practise in relation to Trash Free Trails then? Probably just how you imagine it! Getting our hands dirty, swapping lab coats for high viz and stethoscopes for bin bags. Sign me right up.
With that definition in mind, when you have volunteers all across the country contributing to this level of research, it's important to have the right resources in place to train people up so that anyone participating has the same level of understanding about the research methods being used.
Which is why we are super proud to announce, drum roll please... our very own TFT Citizen Science Toolkit!
A completely free online programme, with downloadable resources to help anyone and everyone discover how we can better protect our trails! We like to see it as 'your one-stop shop for making a difference.'
I think the best thing about this toolkit (aside from the impeccable design and thought put into each step of the process of course) is how it challenges the perception of who a scientist can be!
In true TFT fashion we believe our Citizen Scientists are riders, runners and roamers - trail lovers and outdoor addicts. Nature connectors and spark makers of all ages doing their bit to protect places they love on their own time. But don't just take my words for it, take those that participated in the Citizen Science Training Tour earlier on in the year!
It's been really fun sharing this project with Ian and Lauren..so far it's barely taken any time but I've enjoyed seeing the data we've gotten and how much it has differed. It's also led to some conversations with members of the public (thank you high vis) that I wouldn't necessarily have had otherwise and their response has been great.. especially people who have asked if they can drop their own rubbish in the bag, when I've said no and explained why (pack it out, pack it in), it's had a great reception.
This toolkit wouldn't have been possible without people like you! People going out there, removing single-use pollution and reporting what they find, so thank you.
Special thank you to the Citizen Science Research team, in particular to PJ Serrano, our beloved Research Officer who took the next step in her career last week. We have been so lucky to have her, and she'll be sorely missed from TFT HQ.
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