ABSTRACT

This chapter begins with an overview of potential opportunities and challenges associated with linking citizen science with natural resource management. It presents case study of California's Statewide Marine Protected Area (MPA) Monitoring Program. The chapter focuses primarily on the use of citizen science-generated data to support natural resource management. It explores why citizen scientists and managers might choose to form a relationship and examine how such efforts might contribute to or conflict with other goals of citizen science programs. The chapter provides an overview of the citizen science involvement in baseline monitoring. The use of citizen science can potentially provide benefits to managers beyond data collection. Involvement of citizens in priority research areas may also increase public awareness of management challenges and needs. Citizen science programs with demonstrated success in informing natural resource management processes may see improved outcomes in stewardship and civic engagement. The chapter also explores how different models for engaging with management relate to the benefits.