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With the rapid
advancements in technology, many amateur nature lovers are being recruited
to report their sightings and observations into interactive online
databases. Their role is now data collectors. Because of the internet's
capabilities, several conservation groups are administering Citizen
Science Projects using the data collected by amateurs.  One example
is the Audubon
Christmas Bird Count which takes place December 14 through January 5
each season. This is the oldest citizen science project in existence.
Another is the Great
Backyard Bird Count (February 15-18, 2008). And yet another is
through Cornell
Lab of Ornithology. Be sure to check out the Bird
Source for more information and for an interactive view of the
results of these annual counts. Another group developing these online
databases are the butter-fly watchers. Their project, Butterflies
I've Seen, just went online and is expected to attract a lot of
interest. Events such as these
have motivated many people to get outdoors and experience nature like
never before. With the use of indoor technology (the internet) people can
share their observations with others immediately and see their information
become part of a whole science project. Learning. Involvement. Excitement.
All these things stimulate interest and intensify the connection we feel
to our natural surroundings.
Bring nature
into your backyard with the use of birdfeeders, birdhouses, birdbaths, a
variety of bird foods and many other unique backyard treasures. It's great fun
for kids too!
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