CITIZEN SCIENCE & EDUCATION
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead
ORCA’s citizen science program aims to educate and engage all members of the community, regardless of age, gender, education, race, or religion, in solving the problems that are leading to the degradation of the Indian River Lagoon and connecting waterways.
Through a series of workshops and trainings, our staff rigorously prepare community volunteers to actively participate in our citizen science projects– all of which were developed from ORCA’s current research initiatives. ORCA citizen scientists measure and monitor local environmental conditions and help identify sources of pollution entering the lagoon by conducting various field sampling and laboratory analyses. Together, we can acquire the data required to drive change and solve the problems.
Through the power of Citizen Science, ORCA aims to:
- Cultivate an ethic of care, concern and stewardship for the Indian River Lagoon and its watershed
- Offer meaningful participation in real-world scientific research and environmental problem solving
- Open pathways to science and scientific literacy
- Build relationships with volunteers, community organizations, and local businesses to develop a conservation-focused community
Click Here to View ORCA’s Citizen Science Projects
Learn about our different projects, explore our data, and get involved.