The Essential Role of Volunteers
T
his issue of Stewardship Connections highlights citizen science and the essential role that volunteers play in scientific research, restoration work and environmental education in the San Juan Islands. Much of this valuable work would be impossible without the participation of people from the islands who are passionate, and in many instances also highly trained in appropriate disciplines. Volunteers range from students out on a field trip to people committed to training and working with an organization on a regular basis. The Washington State University Beach Watcher program is one wellspring for committed, trained volunteers. Other volunteers are retired scientists or specialists from government agencies. Many are retired folks interested in being involved with vital projects and learning more about their adopted home. And many are students, whether part of a school program or out on their own after being energized by their education.
The projects, whether a forage fish survey, a study of shoreline modifications, helping educate kayakers about wildlife watching or developing baseline data for gauging the health of a local bay, are almost always overseen by a professional scientist, educator or organization. The training and aptitude of the volunteers helps the project leader determine how to both utilize the volunteer to their full potential and assure that they are engaged and enjoy the work. For scientific research projects, the project leader(s) develop the protocols and assure that the methods used during the work are consistent and will produce reliable and accurate data.
