02Jul 2026 by Stephanie von Gavel No Comments
Paper – 10 Recommendations for Citizen Science into the future

Paper – 10 Recommendations for Citizen Science into the future

Blogs, Inclusivity, Showcasing science outcomes, Uncategorized
An important co-produced study with researchers, practitioners and Indigenous participants charts a path to make citizen science more inclusive, credible and impactful in the 21st century - highlighting 10 key recommendations for action. The paper by lead authors Jack Nunn and Hakon da Silva Hyldmo and colleagues has just been published in PLOS One: Citation: Nunn JS, da Silva Hyldmo H, McKnight L, McCulloch H, Lavers J, Old J, et al. (2026) 10 recommendations for strengthening citizen science for improved societal and ecological outcomes: A co-produced analysis of challenges and opportunities in the 21st century. PLoS One 21(7): e0331161. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0331161 . The project was led by Science for All, and supported by ACSA with funding from the Australian Academy of Science's Theo Murphy Initiative. We hope this paper will be…
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18Jun 2026 by Andrea Mason No Comments
Webinar_More than green wallpaper: exploring the hidden depths of Australian plants

Webinar_More than green wallpaper: exploring the hidden depths of Australian plants

Blogs, Uncategorized
When you walk through a park or your local neighbourhood, what do you notice first? Birds, insects, perhaps a colourful flower? Despite making up the foundation of nearly every terrestrial ecosystem, plants often go unnoticed. This phenomenon is known as "Plant Awareness Disparity", the tendency for people to overlook plants and underestimate their importance in the natural world. On the 20th of August, join ACSA_NSW Chapter for an engaging webinar exploring this fascinating topic and what it means for biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and citizen science. The webinar will feature Dr Thomas Mesaglio (University of New South Wales, ACSA NSW) and Dr Matthew Pye (University of Sydney), who will share insights into why plants are often underappreciated, how this affects our relationship with nature, and what we can do to…
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12Jun 2026 by Andrea Mason No Comments
Call for Your Support

Call for Your Support

Blogs
It's the end of the Financial Year and Your support can make a difference! Why not DONATE NOW! Your donation will help ACSA grow into a stronger and more vibrant association, increasing our ability to further develop and support citizen science in Australia. ACSA collaborates with diverse partners to implement a variety of citizen science projects – see the Projects page Projects supported include the ACSA Seed Grants where recipients are able to use the grant to help seed their professional growth, their project’s growth or to pay for an open access publication of a citizen science paper. Australian Citizen Science Association is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) by the Australian Taxation Office. This means that donations of $2.00 or more are tax-deductible in Australia, allowing supporters to claim their contribution…
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10Mar 2026 by Andrea Mason
Bogong Watch

Bogong Watch

Blogs, Communication & promotion, CS Project
Bogong Watch is an initiative of Invertebrates Australia. It is a program driven by a growing network of observers across Australia gathering and reporting sightings of Bogong moths to help map its epic migration. Over the next couple of weeks, a team of volunteers and researchers will be heading to the mountains to tag Bogong moths. Around the mountains, there will be 50 volunteer sentinels using light traps to search for tagged moths, but even though this sounds like a lot, the range of this species is huge, and they need to have more people looking out for these critters.Therefore, we need your help looking for tagged moths. Even if you don’t have a specialised moth light to look for moths, there are still plenty of ways you can get involved…
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10Feb 2026 by Lisa Evans - ACSA No Comments
What’s next for fish and marine citizen science in Australia?

What’s next for fish and marine citizen science in Australia?

Blogs, Collaboration & partnerships
A Reef Ecologic and Australian Citizen Science Association Initiative Reef Ecologic and Australian Citizen Science Association developed a document to support discussion, feedback, identify gaps and suggest a way forward for action and collaboration around the role of citizen science in the fish and marine environment in Australia. Here we pose a number of questions and recommendations that require more information, consultation and greater analysis at both a regional (e.g. Queensland) and national level: 1. What is the value of citizen science in nature and the fish/marine environment?2. What is the extent of fish and marine citizen science projects in Australia?3. Where does citizen science sit within the Australian government policy and funding landscape?4. How is citizen science recognised in an international policy context?5. What is the role of peak bodies or “backbone” organisations in supporting and enhancing the impact…
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13Oct 2025 by Lisa Evans - ACSA No Comments
Seed Grants 2025 – Call for applications!

Seed Grants 2025 – Call for applications!

Blogs, Grants
What’s in it for you? $2,000 in seed funding to help kickstart your citizen science initiative, covering essential project costs such as equipment, materials, or participant outreach, or assist with publication costs for an open access journal. Social Media Promotion: Dedicated promotion of your project and organisation across our social media platforms, giving your work increased visibility and helping you engage a wider audience in your research journey. Mentoring (optional): Access to experienced professionals who will provide personalized guidance, helping you overcome challenges and maximize your impact. Training in Grant Writing (optional): Specialized workshops that will equip you with the skills and knowledge to pursue further funding opportunities, helping you sustain and expand your project beyond the seed phase. Motivation to initiate something you have always wanted to do. A…
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08Oct 2025 by Andrea Mason No Comments
Have You Registered Yet?

Have You Registered Yet?

Blogs
Have You Registered Yet?? #CitSciOz25 We are excited to see the Conference Program which features an impressive line-up of speakers representing diverse fields and perspectives in citizen science from across the globe! And you get to choose between bats or fungi for your Tuesday eventing side event! Conference topics span a broad spectrum, including public health, biodiversity, science communication, industry partnerships, innovation, fungi, First Nations cultural knowledge, climate change, species loss, invasive species, biosecurity, education, youth engagement, technology, waterways and catchments, marine conservation, policy, and resilience. Featuring: • Six Keynote speakers • Themed talks: 15-minute presentations (including Q&A) grouped with similar topics in concurrent sessions. • Ignite talks: Brief 5-minute presentations delivered in speed sessions with a group discussion at the end of each session. • Panel sessions: 60-minute discussions…
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08Oct 2025 by Andrea Mason No Comments
Keynote Speakers #CitSciOz25

Keynote Speakers #CitSciOz25

Blogs
Book you tickets NOW to hear our amazing #CitSciOz25 keynote speakers: Fiona Sutton Wilson, CEO Earthwatch Australia - "Global Goals to Local Action: Citizen science at the Intersection" Dr Tom May, Principal Research Scientist (Mycology), Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria - "Closing the Circle – Encouraging and Enhancing Linkages Between Citizen Scientists and Scientists" Dr Amanda Caples, Lead Scientist, Victoria - "Now, New, Next" Gregory Andrews, Managing Director, Lyrebird Dreaming Pty Ltd - "Healing Country, Empowering Communities: Citizen Science for a Resilient Future" Esther Gonstalla, Author and Information Designer - "Infographics in Science Communication" Dr. Susanne Hecker, Chairwoman @European Citizen Science Association / Museum für Naturkunde Berlin - "Shaping Policy, Strengthening Communities: Citizen Science as a European Catalyst for Change" Book your tickets now via our website! https://citizenscience.org.au/citscioz25 HT @earthwatch_aus, @royalbotanicgardensvic…
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18Jul 2025 by Andrea Mason No Comments

South Australian marine algal bloom 2025

Blogs
A harmful algal bloom (HAB) has been causing widespread marine mortality and habitat damage in South Australia, triggered by a combination of environmental factors including nutrient upwellings, flood discharges, heatwaves, calm seas, and decomposing marine vegetation. More than 12,000 observations across over 400 species have been submitted to the SA Marine Mortality Events project on iNaturalist by divers, fishers, beachgoers, and coastal residents. Mass deaths of fish, sharks, rays, invertebrates, and seabirds have been recorded along large sections of South Australia’s coastline, including parts of the Spencer Gulf, the head of Gulf St Vincent, the metropolitan Adelaide beaches and the Coorong. There is also new evidence that the bloom is spreading into Adelaide Metropolitan waterways, including the Port River, home to the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. The South Australian community have…
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