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Description
This project aims to promote and increase the participation of citizens in initiatives related to biodiversity monitoring, particularly through their voluntary involvement in monitoring programmes on the status of birds in Portugal. The project aims to develop new species censuses, improve the management of volunteers already involved in these types of censuses, recruit new volunteers, and increase visibility of the information collected from bird monitoring and observation programmes. More than 350 volunteers will be involved in the seminars, workshops and training sessions held, and communication materials will be produced on the importance of volunteering in citizen science projects.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to stimulate civic participation of citizens in initiatives related to biodiversity monitoring, through their voluntary involvement in bird census/monitoring programs developed by the promoter.
The project, which ran from April 2021 to September 2023, engaged volunteers in seven bird censuses. It focused on three main objectives:
Firstly, the project aimed to increase the number of volunteers. This was achieved through 47 initiatives that provided information about the censuses and training for volunteers. Information sessions, mostly held online before each field season, introduced the objectives, methodology, and bird species involved in each census. These sessions often included summaries of previous data and served to publicize results. Training activities, both online and in the field, were more practical and involved smaller groups, fostering closer interaction between participants and trainers. The gull and parakeet censuses, designed with a strong citizen science component, were particularly successful in attracting new volunteers due to their simplicity and ease of data collection.
Secondly, the project sought to improve volunteer management. A new database was created to compile information on all volunteers, including their names, the year they joined, the censuses they participated in, and the regions and field seasons they were involved in. Volunteer motivation was also addressed through satisfaction surveys and two volunteer meetings held in 2022 and 2023. These meetings facilitated interaction among volunteers, enhanced their understanding of the censuses, and provided a platform for discussing results and identifying improvements. Regular communication from coordinators and timely reports on census results were also prioritized.
Lastly, the project aimed to recognize and value the work of volunteers. This was achieved through online presentations by census coordinators, which highlighted the results of the censuses. Notable presentations included the publication "The State of Birds" and a talk on "Exotic and Invasive Birds in Portugal," reaching around 200 people. Additionally, infographics were created for each census, emphasizing associated issues and encouraging further action.
In quantitative terms, the following was achieved:
- 903 volunteers recruited by supported NGOs;
- 43 civic initiatives led by supported NGOs;
- 2 awareness raising campaigns carried out;
- 59% share of target group showing civic concerns.
In terms of capacity building, the promoter had already developed an action plan based on a needs assessment conducted during a previous ACF project. This led to the training of 16 professionals in HR management and storytelling.
Summary of bilateral results
The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research contributed by conducting a technical review to define the volunteer profiles for each monitoring program. It also provided a detailed technical review of the parameters to be included in the volunteer satisfaction assessment questionnaire.