HLUHLUWE Hilltop HONORARY OFFICERS  

Citizen Scientist

 

What is a citizen Scientist ?

 

A citizen scientist is an individual who voluntarily contributes his or her time, effort, and resources toward scientific research in collaboration with professional scientists or alone. These individuals don’t necessarily have a formal science background and collect and analysis  data relating to the natural world by members of the general public, typically as part of a collaborative project with professional scientists.

 

 

 

How can I get involved in citizen science projects?

 

There are a number of ways that you  can help assist the Researchers in H.I.P and other KZN parks. Here are the following ways in which you can help:

 

                 You can join the whatsapp group Kznsightings, run by Hilltop Honorary Officers :                                                                           https://hilltophonorary.wixsite.com/kznsighting   

 

You can become a member of C.H.I.P.S (Citizen Hluluwe imfolozi park scientist ) – email chips@hilltophonoraryofficers.org.za for more info

 

The idea behind these projects is that anyone anywhere can participate in meaningful scientific research.

 

 

Benefits of Citizen Scientist

Citizen Science is much more than just science. Getting involved is fun, helps develop skills and connection with others. It improves health and wellbeing and helps us all feel more connected to the environment around us. we believe working this way has a number of  advantages, a few of which are listed below.

• Larger volumes of data from different varieties of times and locations
• Cover larger areas
• More data the more researchers can learn
• It’s one of the most useful ways you can help the environment and expand our scientific knowledge
• Bring people of different ages together
• Work together around a central activity, locally focussed projects
• Develop and share local  skills and knowledge
• Work together to tackle environmental or social justice issues
• Gather knowledge about the environment to inform community based environmental projects
• Gather knowledge about the environment to support scientific research and environmental management decisions​