January, 2013

BIOMAP ALASKA: CITIZEN SCIENCE FOR ALASKA'S OCEANS

Maribeth S. Murray, International Arctic Research Center, UAF; Howard Ferren, Alaska SeaLife Center; and Philip Loring, ACCAP

Investigators from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the Alaska Sea Life Center have developed a citizen-science initiative to collect local ecological information on the marine ecosystems along the Alaska region of the Chukchi and Bering seas. Using a web-based tool, community members will be able to contribute their observations of the marine environment and of species of interest including those that may be extending historical ranges or that may be considered invasive. A companion marine species identification guide, including photographs and English and Iñupiaq translations, are available to aid identifications. The information contributed will be publicly available and useful to science and resource management in Alaska. In the future, BioMap Alaska hopes to expand the program to include statewide observations and additional species of interest. View the webinar to learn more about this unique stakeholder outreach and survey program.

View the webinar video (42 MB MP4)

Listen to the webinar podcast (56 MB MP3)

Presentation/Slides: BIOMAP Alaska: Citizen Science for Alaska's Oceans (PDF)