JOIN THE NETWORK

The Citizen Science for the Amazon Network, created in February 2019, is an initiative that aims to democratize science and generate citizen science based knowledge. The Network stands on the notion that everyone, not just specialists, can and must do science and contribute to conservation. Everybody has a voice and is able to take care of our planet, each from their own perspectives, knowledge and experiences.

As a knowledge network, we seek to contribute to the Amazon Basin’s conservation and sustainable development, connecting and strengthening capacities of citizens and organizations. Meet the organizations and individuals that are part of the Network.

Join the Network

The Network acknowledges the diversity of kinds of knowledge and the need to integrate them, particularly local and indigenous knowledge. Interdisciplinarity, interculturality, diversity of views and kinds of knowledge are key for our objectives.

The Network is open to participation and  promotes a wide spectrum for partners engagement. The Network can be joined by organizations or individuals that:

  • Conduct research or other activities for conservation and sustainable development in the Amazon Basin
  • Are actively involved in citizen science activities or support public participation in scientific research through different means, such as communication campaigns, tech innovation, grants, etc
  • Have a genuine interest in promoting the Network’s mission and vision
  • Have a genuine will to adhere to the Network’s Manifesto

Before you apply, get familiar with these documents:

To apply, fill out the Application for partner affiliation with the required information, sign the Commitment letter and send both documents to <cienciaciudadana@minkaparaconservar.org>. The Steering Committee will evaluate applications in up to a 60 days period.

Participate actively in the Network

The network works through Collaboration Groups – teams that gathered within the framework of the Network’s strategic planning. The collaboration groups are composed by network members and are open to external invitees and assessors.

Collaboration Groups entail opportunities to contribute to the Network’s technical or conceptual development, harness connections to generate and share experiences, information, perspectives and knowledge related to citizen science and the Amazon.

Up to date, these are the active Collaboration Groups:

  • Environmental DNA (eDNA) – outlines the concept for citizen science projects for prototype development, designing and field testing a protocol for rural schools to monitor migratory fish occurrences using eDNA. Lead: Guido Miranda (WCS). Participants: Fish Tracker – Cornell University; IIAP; IRD; UNIR; and WCS.
  • Water and environment – fosters discussion and knowledge exchange related to water quality and environmental factors use, management and data collection, looking to answer the Network’s general research question: “When and where do fish migrate in the Amazon and what environmental factors influence these migrations?. Lead: Paulo Olivas (FIU). Participants: FIU; IBC; IDSM; SDZ; USFQ; and WCS.
  • Science – guides and leads research and data analysis design at the whole Amazon Basin scale and priority sub-basins. Lead: Thiago Couto (FIU). Participants: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, MHN UNMSM Ichthyology Department ; FIU; IDSM; IIAP; IRD; UNIR; USFQ; and WCS.
  • Microplastics – is currently working on a fundraising proposal to estimate plastic microparticles occurence in the digestive tract of priority commercial fish species. Lead: Alexandre Hercos (IDSM). Participants: FAUNAGUA; IDSM; Instituto Fronteira; IIAP; SINCHI; UNIR; UFOPA; USFQ; and WCS.
  • Fish – improves Ictio’s (app and bulk data upload tool) conceptual design, deployment and use. Lead: Guido Miranda (WCS). Participants: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; MHN UNMSM Ichthyology Department ; FAUNAGUA; IBC; IDSM; IIAP; IRD; UNIR; and WCS.