Second edition of the free online course "Opportunities for citizen science to improve knowledge and conservation of European mammals"

    The MammalNet Project organizes the second edition of a free online course to improve our knowledge about the distribution of European mammals and their conservation through its mobile applications for the promotion of citizen science


    It is not necessary to go to Africa to help in the conservation of mammals, nor is all the fauna found in the National Parks. Nor is it necessary to be a biologist, veterinarian or an experienced naturalist to be able to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and help science.

    Many of us enjoy nature by doing different activities, such as hiking, picking mushrooms, playing sports or going hunting. On those getaways it is very likely that we will observe an animal and that may be the first step to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity. Frequently we see species to which we do not give importance, but Sharing with science the record of a squirrel or a wild boar in a preserve can be as valuable as the record of a lynx or a rare species. With this information, scientists can generate models that allow them to understand the risks of fauna associated with the transmission of diseases, the expansion or appearance of introduced or invasive species, or help in the conservation of threatened species.

    Scientists cannot be everywhere, and also species change their distribution, colonizing some areas and disappearing from others. That is why it is important that we have updated information on where the different species are and live. The sum of the observations of each one of us can be enough to reinforce the information that scientists collect.

    The essential role that science plays in our daily life is becoming more and more evident and, fortunately, more and more citizens are beginning to show interest and motivation in participating or collaborating in its progress. In this sense, citizen science provides innumerable possibilities for people to collaborate in the generation of scientific knowledge regardless of their level of education.

    For lovers of nature and wildlife who want to contribute to the advancement of science that leads to their conservation, the citizen science alternatives offered by the MammalNet Project. This project aims to encourage citizen participation and their collaboration with scientists to improve our knowledge about the distribution of European mammals. For it, MammalNet offers different applications (apps) that, thanks to the Internet, facilitate the collection of this information and the access to it by the public.

    In order to promote knowledge and use of these apps by society, the MammalNet Project has organized the second edition of the completely free online course titled «Opportunities for citizen science to improve the conservation of European mammals«.

     

    Online course "Opportunities for citizen science to improve the conservation of European mammals” from the MammalNet Project.

    The course, which begins on December 15, 2021 (remaining open for subscriptions also after this date), is divided into four modules, so that participants can organize their time freely and complete all or some of the modules that are proposed with a dedication of only 3 or 4 hours per module. All the information related to the course and the registration to it are available in the link below. Here are some details that we hope will encourage you to sign up.

    Dates and organization of the course

    • Start date: December 15, 2021.
    • Organization and duration: 4 modules.
    • estimated effort: Between 2 and 3 hours per week, which each participant can freely distribute according to their convenience.

    Course Objectives

    • Understand the advantages of open science for the advancement of science and society and how they can be an active part of this movement.
    • Understand the importance of improving knowledge of the distribution of mammals to promote the conservation of biodiversity and make management decisions based on scientific evidence.
    • Understand potential data sources and approaches that can improve knowledge of mammalian distribution.
    • Know the possibilities offered by the different tools (apps) available in the MammalNet Project to collect occasional records or use camera test devices.
    • Learn about some of the active projects and platforms that are currently involved in the conservation of European mammals.

    Promotional video of the online courseOpportunities for citizen science to improve the conservation of European mammals” from the MammalNet Project.

    Course contents

    • Module I – Open science and citizen science applied to wildlife.
    • Module II – Tracking and studying wild mammals.
    • Module III – Tools for collecting records of European mammals.
    • Module IV – Projects and tools for the conservation of European mammals.

    potential stakeholders

    • Citizens interested in science and nature conservation can strengthen their knowledge, improve their understanding of their environment, and learn how to collaborate and participate in a citizen science project by submitting wildlife records.
    • Educators and teachers interested in the environment and science can obtain useful tools and knowledge to apply in teaching projects with their students or in their research.
    • College-level and non-university science students interested in natural resources can take advantage of this information to enhance their professional and communication skills.
    • Researchers and naturalists interested in recording biodiversity or using camera traps can take advantage of the tools and applications available in the project to share and improve the information they collect in their work on wildlife.