Here's a URL for a conference on public participation in scientific
research in Portland Oregon 4-5 August:
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/citscitoolkit/conference/2012
This meeting was held at the American Museum of Natural History last
year and after the meeting I brought PLOTS/Grassroots Mapping to the
organizers' attention and they noted "Would love to learn more, because
of their community-oriented approach".
Ned