This past couple of months, we presented our ecological mapping work, Keeping an Urban Forest Whole, at the Middlesex Fells at two conferences: the Northeast Natural History Conference (NENHC 2023) and the US Citizen Science Association (CSA) annual conference, C*Sci 2023. Our article and poster are available on the CSA Connect network. Because it is behind a paywall, we also posted our work on the EwA website > here, so that our community can see how we present our work externally. We were also featured on SciStarter Live: recording (EwA interview starts at 20:07).
Various groups, including scientific, expert, and community representatives, appreciated EwA's contributions to the field. Community representatives thanked us for the kind of work we do and, more specifically, for how we do it: they saw the value we bring with EwA's people-powered model to produce co-creatively ecological knowledge. Many communities agree that the scientific and knowledge participation of communities as equal partners is under-represented and sometimes still under-valued in the national citizen science landscape. We made sure to call this out on multiple occasions during the conference and to push for the advancement of equal opportunities and fair representation in the field.
At C*Sci 2023, there were a lot of essential and challenging discussions about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Many items were questioned directly by various groups and their representatives. I appreciate this because some breakthroughs may show the way to progress. I'll be happy to discuss this at the next EwA Livestream.
Another component of the C*Sci conference was the representation of the European citizen science model that pushed the discussion and explained the importance of citizen science to bring together science, policymakers, and society as a whole in an impactful way. The European Union mandates and supports the development of citizen science in the Union. This model exemplifies how other societies respect citizen science and their community members. This gives the American citizen science field something to appreciate and to get inspired with.
I had the opportunity to meet with our various data partners: the USA National Phenology Network, Fieldscope, SciStarter, and CitSci.org. Spend quality time with local partners: MassBay, Cal Academy, etc. And make new acquaintances: Journey North, and so many more! We remained busy all the way through!
It is enough said. I hope you enjoy the various ways (article, handout, poster, slides) we did show our work in the Fells at those conferences. See for yourself > open-access to Keeping an Urban Forest Whole. 
