Citizen Science Across a Spectrum: Broadening the Impact of Citizen Science and Community Science

Environmental protection as a movement is broadening to both invite and require the participation and energy of everyone, including federal agencies, local governments, activists, and enthusiasts. There is evidence that institutions and agencies are moving towards more inclusive visions of their missions, and citizen scientists and community scientists are motivated to be involved. Citizen science and community science, approaches rooted in non-traditional partnerships and diverse participation, are a strong approaches to science, and they are especially strong approaches to a wide range of outcomes with direct impacts on the protection of the environment, from civic engagement to enforcement action. In this discussion paper, we propose a spectrum of engagement that defines opportunities for citizen science and community science beyond the participation of volunteers in institution-driven or scientist-driven research; we also provide examples of projects and efforts that have led to outcomes for each of the spectrum categories. Citizen science and community science represent a more inclusive version of science and provide a model for embracing truly collaborative environmental protection, as well.