About My Work as a Citizen Scientist

The first time I heard of the concept of "citizen scientists" was at a Mountain Protected Areas Workshop just prior to the 5th World Parks Congress in Durban, South Africa.This international workshop of scientists, academics, land managers, and mountain experts had been organized by the Mountains Biome Network of the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), one of the six commissions of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the world's largest conservation organization.

The concept was being described in a Case Study presented about the extensive and very successful Citizen Science programs for our most heavily visited national park, Great Smoky Mountains NP. It struck me as one of the most powerful, effective, and timely conservation concepts I had ever heard. I've worked constantly to spread the knowledge and value of citizen science around the world ever since. I'm glad to see that it is finally becoming more well-known!

This website is dedicated to promoting the value of citizen scientists in protecting the Earth's ecosystems. Unlike others trying to profit from promoting citizen science, this is a non-profit informational site. I am a business consultant and conservationist working with the largest conservation organizations in the world.

I have worked directly with the National Park Service and other agencies and land managers on citizen science projects that address key isses such as species monitoring, reducing human impacts, and contributing to biodiversity studies and transects. Here is more information about me and my Mountains Biome Blog. I have also applied my business experience to promoting the achievements of people with disabilities, such as our friend Nawang Sherpa, the first person to climb Mount Everest using a prosthetic leg.

I'm focused on finding ways to link science and land management with sport and tourism to get more people working together effectively to protect ecosystems. Time is running short, as global environmental threats loom on the horizon. Our planet needs all of us to help.