Organised as one of the main outcomes of the CESP project, 'Course on “Participatory Biodiversity
Monitoring: Building Locally, Connecting Globally"', this workshop provided 50 attendees within biodiversity sectors from seven countries with skills to improve participatory monitoring projects from respective partners and countries. The course focused the exchange of experiences, learned concepts and methodologies to create a community that can continue to support monitoring plans. Held in the Rio Claro Nature Reserve in Colombia, the event lasted six days providing opportunity to initiate the design of participatory monitoring plans which will be developed further as the project moves forward.
Course topics covered:
Welcome and introduction
Presentation of participants and initiatives
Participatory monitoring plan
- What are the principles for effective participatory monitoring?
- How to structure a participatory monitoring plan?
- How to define the area and the variables to be monitored?
Expected learning
- Strategic vision for the definition of participatory monitoring
- Knowledge about the basic structure of a participatory monitoring plan
- Integration of models for the prioritization of areas and variables to be monitored
Collaborative practices
- How to build the questions and methodologies of the monitoring plan with the community?
- How to strengthen collaborative relationships between the community and scientists?
- How to "create" effective communication bridges between the community and scientists
- How to communicate the progress and results of monitoring?
Expected learning
- Management of social technologies and basic training in web methodology
- Knowledge about participatory methodologies with a territorial approac
- Exploration of effective communication tools and mechanisms
Data and information management
- How to capture data using various tools and facilitate its use for monitoring?
- How to guarantee the quality of the data coming from science initiatives? What practices contribute to the quality of the data?
- What are the benefits and challenges of sharing citizen science data?
- How to share and publish participatory science data to promote its use at the local level and contribute to the global perspective?
- What tools to use to obtain a general analysis of the data from participatory science?
- Recognition of practices to enhance the use of data from capture to publication.
- Basic knowledge about platforms such as iNaturalist, Natusfera, eBird, among others.
- Practical bases for the management of participatory science databases.
- Exploration of tools for the quality of participatory science data.
- Knowledge about tools for the analysis and visualization of participatory science data.
- Critical view on the benefits and challenges of managing data on participatory science.
Monitoring and evaluation (Reflection)
- How to measure the impact on learning, experiences and behavior in volunteers?
- How to track the results of the experience in the three levels: science, individuals and socio-ecological systems?
Methodology for the evaluation of participatory science learning
Instruments for monitoring participatory science projects
Open space (conversation groups)
Questions or conversation topics prioritized by the participants
Micro BioBlitz Natural Reserve Río Claro
