sweet auburn | 2022 volume ii
The upcoming website integrates approximately a dozen research projects , allowing visitors to better understand how they relate to one another spatially and conceptually . Interactive site maps illustrate geographic overlap between studies , the most prevalent being shared survey sites at the Cemetery ’ s main water bodies . Some have even more specific sites in common ; in one instance , two studies survey the same tree . My hope is that , by conveying how these projects relate to one another , the website will help facilitate collaboration and encourage an ecosystem approach to understanding and protecting biodiversity .
No organism exists in a vacuum . To protect birds , we must first prioritize the health of insect populations on which they feed . To support insects , we must care for the native plants they rely on for food and shelter . Many of Mount Auburn ’ s citizen science projects were designed explicitly with this approach in mind . For instance , the Phenology , Caterpillars Count , and Breeding Bird studies record ( respectively ) tree , insect , and bird activity at closely related sites across the Cemetery . All of these studies are useful stand-alone projects but taken together they convey a much clearer picture of biodiversity at Mount Auburn .
Part of the beauty of citizen science is that it sits at the intersection of scientific knowledge and community connection . Citizen science programs encourage a coming together of knowledge bases , ages , skill sets , and experiences . Throughout my fellowship , I have been consistently inspired by the active role citizen scientists adopt in research projects , and the deep friendships formed on the basis of shared love for wildlife and nature .
I hope that participants feel rewarded in seeing data they helped collect displayed on the upcoming website . Scientific knowledge and community education are often viewed as separate spheres , yet both are made stronger when paired together . The power of this bridging is apparent in the knowledge , dedication , and enthusiasm that project leaders and participants bring to these projects year after year . I feel grateful that the Barnett Fellowship has afforded me the opportunity to work closely with many of these individuals , and I look forward to sharing their work with a wider audience in the upcoming months . Stay tuned !
Stay tuned for the release of the official website !
17