Category: Blogs

African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) is a highly invasive grass that negatively impacts both natural areas and agricultural lands.  Citizen Scientists who are familiar with African lovegrass, are encouraged to join the following project, which is part of a study into the genome of African lovegrass: https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/projects/african-lovegrass-genome-study .  The study is by Dr Margaret Mackinnon Honorary Associate Professor at the ANU, and the ANU Borevitz Group lab - Plant Genomics for Climate Adaptation.  The study will contribute to the genetics, taxonomy and management of African lovegrass. Aims of the project are: https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/projects/african-lovegrass-genome-study/journal/132191-african-lovegrass-invasiveness-in-australia-is-it-reversible-by-dr-margaret-mackinnon Members of the project are asked to record African lovegrass observations and add them to the iNaturalistAU project, https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/projects/african-lovegrass-genome-study. In addition plant material  from the observation should be collected for the study team.  Refer to this journal post for…

Researchers at Macquarie University are inviting community and industry members to share their views on Didemnum vexillum, an invasive marine species commonly known as the carpet sea squirt. Detected at several sites around Australia, this pest poses a growing biosecurity concern, and researchers want to hear from those who could be affected. The study, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, aims to strengthen Australia's capacity to manage the species before it spreads further. A short online questionnaire — taking around 15–20 minutes — asks about your sector's understanding of marine pests, the potential impacts of an outbreak, and your views on preparedness and response strategies. Participation is voluntary, confidential, and anonymous, and you can withdraw at any time before data analysis. Respondents may also opt in to…

Australia's National Biosecurity Reform 2026 consultation closed for submissions in June 2026, drawing responses from environmental groups, research institutions, regional NRM bodies and wildlife health organisations. A recurring thread across many submissions: citizen science and First Nations knowledge are increasingly seen as underused assets for national surveillance — but submitters disagree on whether the reform agenda treats them as a genuine operational priority or just a nice-to-have. Where citizen science shows up in the submissions Southern Queensland Landscapes was among the most direct, stating that facilitating "First Nations knowledge and citizen science integration into biosecurity surveillance" is a present-day organisational capability, not a future aspiration — and recommending it be formally resourced through regional NRM organisations. They cautioned, however, that data-sharing and citizen science integration "will not deliver unless land…

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…

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…