| Project Attribute | Project Details |
|---|---|
| Project Title | Citizen Science Investigations – river environmental stewardship |
| EPA Project Code | 2019-W-PhD-15 |
| Lead Organisation | Mary Immaculate College |
| Coordinator | Catherine Dalton |
| EPA Research 2014 – 2020 Theme(s) | Water: Theme 4: Understanding, Managing and Conserving our Water Resources EPA Research Pillars |
| Project Start and End Dates | Start: 02/01/2020 End (if applicable): 01/01/2024 Revised End Date (if applicable): |
| EPA Project Type | |
| EPA Award Type | STRIVE – Scholarships |
| Current Project Status | Grant Awarded |
| Total Funding Amount | 48399.30 |
| Project Abstract/Description | This project, will partner individual citizens, a Rivers Trust (RT), and a Community Water Officer with a postgraduate researcher to support, motivate, jointly implement and measure environmental stewardship. The project is based on the fundamental concept that that our relationship to nature is ultimately shaped locally but has been underdeveloped in an Irish context. The PhD will examine 1. The socio-cultural context for citizen science (CS) and environmental monitoring, 2. Analyse a range of biodiversity and in-stream CS projects on a local scale and 3. Develop a template to mainstream CS in water quality monitoring. The project will use a mixture of natural and social sciences to bring together the knowledge and skills of lay-citizens and academics in practical field-based activities within an RT framework. Measurement of the effectiveness of CS initiatives, focused on tackling key riparian and in-stream catchment issues, will be undertaken in an ‘at risk’ catchment. The outcomes of this project will be informative and transformative for future local practices in river stewardship and public engagement within planning and catchment protection frameworks. The project addresses the need to ensure the involvement, cooperation and co-ownership of water (and biodiversity) management by local people and communities. |
| EPA Scientific Officer | DorothyStewart |