Citizens make mark on science

(NC) Now, we can put our concern for the environment to very good use. Canadians of all ages are helping scientists discover how, and more importantly why, our natural environment is changing.

The volunteer Plant Watch program is asking citizens to get involved by recording the flowering times for selected plant species. This information, collected from citizens via mail or e-mail, will help researchers discover how common plants are responding to climate change, help them track where changes are taking place in Canada, and at what rate.

When you submit your data electronically, it is added instantly to Web maps showing bloom dates across Canada, so not only do you learn more about our country’s botanical diversity, your observations make a difference right away.

Information on the “Citizen Science” programs like Plant Watch, Worm Watch, Ice Watch, and Frog Watch, among others, can be found through Science.gc.ca. This is the Government of Canada’s main science and technology Web portal and it delivers quick, single-window access to topics such as energy, environment, food, health, security, and space. Just click Citizen Science on the home page. Here’s a samplinof research projects that need your help:

Canadian Lakes Loon Survey: Find out how you can help monitor the effects of acid rain and other human disturbances on loons.

Request For Earthquake Information: Help seismologists determine how your area may respond to future earthquakes by contributing intensity information on the earthquake you experience.

Volunteer Climate Observers: Meet the volunteers who assist atmospheric scientists by taking time every day to monitor and report on the weather.

Information from the Science.gc.ca portal is also featured, alongside many other topics of interest, on the Government of Canada website, canada.gc.ca.

– News Canada