Welcome, everybody, to Midday Magazine for this Thursday, September 26, 2024.
Have your host, James here.
We're joined right now by our great friend, Anna Mitchell, Natural Resource Educator
with UW-Madison Division of Extension Wood County.
Anna, good to see you.
Good to see you too, James.
Thanks so much for being here and bringing us a great topic today.
We're going to get into community science and, of course, science by the river, one of
our favorite things and favorite events in this area.
But first off, before we dive into that, I think it's a good idea to get into what community
science is, Anna.
Yeah.
Community science, it's a form of research that provides everyone.
It doesn't matter if you're just from the general public or you're a researcher, regardless
of your background, an opportunity to contribute meaningful data to further our scientific
understanding of key issues.
Community science opportunities are abundant in our world and oftentimes go unnoticed or
unmentioned, which is quite a shame because they're really important.
And community science efforts have advanced and informed so many different topics in our
world or issues that our world is facing.
They're really, really valuable.
The data collected can be so important and so vital on so many different layers and so
many different levels.
Yeah.
And researchers and scientists rely heavily on community science efforts.
By engaging community members, researchers can collect a larger amount of data that often
spans more geographic region in a shorter amount of time.
There's only so much one researcher, one scientist can do, you know?
You're really important.
Yeah.
Yeah.
The way that this can change from not just from one community to the next, but one like
address to the next and everything.
That's why this data becomes even more important and then you add on the top of whether it's
grants or scientific data or et cetera, et cetera.
There's so many reasons for people to be on the lookout for ways that they can impact
this.
Yeah.
They can be a part of this.
Yep.
And when you're a part of something like this, you're learning so much about that specific
topic and the more we learn, the more apt we are to share that information or to bring
awareness to a specific topic, which is really cool.
Yeah.
I'm so glad you touched on that early on.
I don't want it to get lost in the shuffle with this.
It's fun to learn.
And this is a fun topic.
And community science, this isn't something new though, isn't it?
It is not.
It's actually been around since the 1800s.
So Alexander von Humboldt, he was a naturalist and explorer who traveled a lot in South America.
And he was one of the first people to describe human roles in climate change, which is really
interesting, right?
We think that that's a new topic.
Nope.
1800s.
Wow.
Alexander von Humboldt had a dream of uniting communities through scientific observations.
So he established a series of observing stations throughout the world in hopes of coordinating
the global study of Earth's magnetism.
If somebody tried to do that nowadays, it would be a big project, then vicious project.
And we would admire it and it would be pretty cool.
And there'd probably be some grants and funding involved.
Sky did this in 1800s, where just breathing was hard.
Like, it's incredible.
That's really cool.
Very, and I mean, that effort was the first community science effort that really built
the foundation on which modern scientific community at its best should operate, right?
You're collecting and you're sharing knowledge across the world for free, you know, free
knowledge, free opportunities for learning, which is perfect with this subject and just
perfect in general.
I'm a big believer in knowledge should always be free.
I don't think that education should ever cost a penny.
That's a whole other topic.
But when it comes to this type of information, it's even that much more vital than it is
shared.
It is free form.
It is out there.
It is one thing that I admire.
I'm sure this changes from time to time with certain layers of the community, the scientific
community.
But so much of the scientific community seems to be about the information, not about me,
not about so much who discovered the spider, but that this spider was discovered and I admire
that so much.
I think that's a huge part of this and the sharing of this information.
And especially with, you know, I get into this conversation almost on a daily basis with
whether, I mean, mid-day magazine guests or just our listeners, there are so many big
issues out there at this day and age and sometimes they can seem overwhelming.
Like I look at this similar to when I was a kid and I looked at my messy room and I don't
know where to begin.
I got a really messy room.
You just start in one spot.
You start in that one spot and you work away around.
And if you break these things down, it becomes, okay, well, this is actually solvable.
It's attainable.
Yeah, we can do something about this.
Yeah.
I mean, and that's what we face today, right?
Like you said in today's world, we're facing some big issues that on an individual level
can feel daunting, right?
We think about climate change.
We think about species and dangerment, destruction of our natural resources, right?
Like these are just things that we're facing and as an individual, it can be really daunting
to think about how can I fix this?
But community science, if we approach it with that mindset, you don't have to face those
issues alone, right?
Oftentimes in science, whether you're a scientist collecting data or a politician bringing
awareness or advocating for funding, et cetera, we tend to become siloed into our own areas
of research, our own topic areas, et cetera.
If we approach things with a community mindset where researchers are doing something, you
know, that they're digging into the science of it, the community science efforts are giving
researchers, they're creating data sets for those researchers, politicians are advocating,
utilizing that data to advocate for more funding, you know, it's just the more, the less we
silo ourselves and the more we bring that community approach, I think the more effective
these efforts can be.
This is something that we touch on almost at an hourly basis, if not a daily basis here
at Civic Media.
It's a big part of our mission of bringing our communities together more and getting rid
of a lot of the divisiveness.
This is a very similar thing with this where we are looking to bring people together and
you talk about a topic of all topics that can bring people together.
We got one rock.
We got one rock to live on, everybody, making this thing work is in the benefit of all
of us.
The planet doesn't care who you vote for, the planet doesn't care, they just want to stick
around and when we can share this information, we also, I think, find so much of another
commonality between us, where I bring this up a lot where I grew up in South Chicago
and here in Wisconsin Rapids, have the people have so many commonalities, there are so
many connections between the two that we are more like than we realize, it's just oftentimes
we don't, we don't have that information brought to us.
This is another one of those connections, this is another one of those things that brings
us together and shows that we have more in common than not even in the land we live on.
Right.
I mean, we're all affecting the land we live on, whether we know it or not and we can
all be part of the change and that's what's beautiful about these community science efforts
as they give people an opportunity to become part of the change, to learn, to have a positive
effect on their community, on the world that affects so many more people than just us
as individuals.
And Anna, I don't want to skip past the point because I think it's a really strong one
that you brought up and I appreciate so much the insight that you have on these things
that I don't see myself very often, the idea that we are not in this alone, the reminder
of that and the continuing reminder of that because you're right, we do get very, even
just in a daily, our daily grind, we get locked in our own heads, let alone if we're on
social media or some of these things that create us in a bubble effect.
The idea that we are not alone in this is something that we need to be reminded of from
time to time.
And it's a great note on this.
And it's also a good note what you mentioned and what we're about to get into as far as
how in Wisconsin here, we have a lot of opportunities for you to be able to do this.
I know.
I was trying to count yesterday when I was putting my notes together on the topic, how
many I could name off hand, you know, or off the top of my mind.
And so I did a little bit more searching because I'm like, I know we have more.
We actually in Wisconsin have 34 different community science efforts and those were only
the ones that I could find.
So I'm sure there are much more, yeah, probably much more in the really, really unique to
Wisconsin.
These are, you know, other parts of the country have different community science approaches
and programs, but Wisconsin, I think really values and thrives on our community science
efforts.
What kind of programs exist in?
Yeah.
So the programs that exist cover a wide variety of topics if you are interested in wildlife,
invasive species, insects, water quality, birds, climate, plants, and even space.
I did not know we had like a space community science program in Wisconsin.
But we do.
I'm very intrigued by that.
That's really cool.
And they're like, you talk about something where there's something for everybody.
I mean, it really does cover the gamut of things that in with these, especially with all
of these two, you are experiencing your nature, you're taking it's a nature and Indie.
Well, I have to go out.
I got this community service thing.
I got to do this.
I didn't get to see outside as well.
And not only that, you're meeting new community members, right?
You're meeting new folks within your community, you're building new friendships, you're not
only meeting community members, but also conservation professionals.
And in these community science efforts, I don't want to get us into the mindset that they're
just conservation focused, they're not, you know, they're everywhere.
But if you're part of the ones I'm talking about, you're going to meet so many different
conservation professionals that will be able to help you learn more about different topics.
It's really neat.
That's another, I mean, again, with the insight and the points here, I didn't see.
Because we get older and this is not an age thing necessarily, but it does have to do
with it a little bit where as the older we get, it becomes harder and harder to make new
friends.
And just to run into people, just to meet people, that's a great point about this.
You talk about meeting people that are whether they're like minded or just have similar,
you know, things that you have in common or whatever, it's a great event for that.
This is a great opportunity for that.
Yeah, it is.
And you know, like you have to gauge your time too.
So I will speak on some of the groups that I know the demographics are generally people
that are higher in age, right?
But I really want to encourage younger folks to become involved in some of these citizen
science efforts and these community science efforts because you are the next generation
that will be able to take the reins on these programs and help inform data.
You know, you like, we have to have that generational turnover within these efforts.
So they thrive, right?
Yeah, yeah.
It's the only way this works is if we hand the baton off and that next generation is ready
to take it.
Yeah.
And thankfully, we have opportunities for that too for young and old and all to get immersed
in this.
Do you have any opportunities or anything coming up, Anna, that touch on, that you want
to invite anybody to?
Yeah, James, I do.
So if you're interested in any of these community science efforts, you can go to UW-Madison
Library Research Guides and you can search community science opportunities, people and
projects, and there's a whole list that will be brought up.
But if you want a more hands-on experience with some of these efforts, I invite all listeners
to join me at Science by the River on October 5th, 2024, so that will be next Saturday.
Yeah, coming right up.
Science by the River.
I know.
It's wild.
You guys ready?
I think so.
I hope so.
Yeah, definitely.
You guys are ready.
Well, thank you.
Well, thank you.
It's easy for me to say problem, but for those that are new to the community or haven't
gotten a chance to experience, this is one of my favorite events we do.
I love the combination.
I love all of the things that this brings and how spread out this is in our community.
This is a free community event.
It's going to be hosted here in Wisconsin Rapids.
You want to tell us a little bit more about it then?
Yeah, so Science by the River is a celebration of all things science and outdoors.
So it's a free community event, like James said, will be set up on the walking path here
in Wisconsin Rapids, the riverfront walking path from Ben Hansen Park right over to the
Wisconsin Rapids farmers market.
And we'll go from 11 o'clock to 2 and the main attraction, I guess you'll call it for
Science by the River is our discovery stations.
So along that walking path, we'll have almost 20 different discovery stations set up.
And the hosts of these discovery stations are different science based organizations,
groups, departments throughout our community and surrounding communities.
So those folks will host different discovery stations and they'll have information, hands-on
activities, information on how you can become involved, what these groups do, et cetera.
And they're all science based.
And we're really trying to just bring awareness of how, of the efforts in our community that
are science based and what's going on, because like I've said before, oftentimes it, it's
not talked about, right?
And it seems like a hidden, hidden gem in our community and there's so many opportunities.
This event, one of the things that I love about it and I didn't realize it until last
year's event.
I think a lot of us can relate to or remember I should say in school, especially in science
classes, this happened.
You know what?
We're going outside today, kid.
Yeah.
We're doing the class outside or it was just a nice day out, so to teach or brought us outside
to learn and everything and how great those days were, how great those classes were.
This is that, you know, times a thousand.
This is that on a bigger scale, even.
Right.
It's all outdoors.
If anything, so I say, you know, we have got the 20 different discovery stations.
They're set up along the paved trail.
It is two miles long, so if you're coming, make sure you bring a bike or you bring walking
shoes, et cetera, but it's two miles of different discovery stations that you can stop at.
If something doesn't interest you, at least you're going on a walk right next to Wisconsin
River and we'll have facts about the river, set alongside on little yard signs, we'll
have facts about how you can become involved in science efforts.
There'll be something for everybody and this is, all ages are welcome.
You know, if you have kids, we're going to have kind of a little discovery station scavenger
hunt.
Oh, I love this.
I love scavengers.
It's such a cool idea.
James, maybe we'll give you a scavenger.
I was going to ask off-air.
I was going to ask third age limit, but yeah, it's aimed at kids, but we won't say no.
Good, good to hear.
And if, you know, the kiddos or whoever finishes the scavenger hunt and visits a certain
amount of discovery stations, they'll get a prize at the end of night.
Not going to give away what the prizes are, but they're pretty cool.
Yeah, I imagine.
And when you're talking about this and taking in these things, I'm imagining so many people
in our community enjoying this, but also realizing that the same time I am, this is fun.
There is no downside to this.
But, you know, you're going to check this out.
And like you said, if you get to a station and it just doesn't interest you or the child
that much, you move on to the next station or at the very least you guys got to go out
before our walk together.
Yep.
And it's 11 o'clock to 2 p.m.
Not a big time coming.
Not a big time coming.
Not a big time commitment.
And it's come and go at your leisure, like if you want to just come and go as you please
go for it.
That's a okay.
We're going to have some stations there, too, like the Center for Watershed Science
and Education at UW Stevens Point down there to share information and get people caught
up on some things as well.
Yeah.
So, they'll be down there.
The Center for Watershed Science and Education.
They'll be down there.
They'll be talking about watershed health, watershed information.
They'll have some demonstrations on watersheds.
And if you are a private well owner, they are offering free nitrate screenings for your
well water.
All they do is ask that you bring one cup of water in a clean container and free of charge
to you.
You can get your well water screen for nitrate.
I mean, that's a wonderful opportunity.
Yeah.
And again, well, you get to take in all of this and getting something like that done checking
that off your judo list and everything is nice.
Yes.
Yep.
Then to see the National Wildlife Refuge is also going to be down there.
We love our friends over there.
Yep.
And their friends group, the friends of the National Wildlife Refuge will be with them.
They'll have information about the refuge, which is, I think, hidden gem in Central
Wisconsin.
We have a National Wildlife Refuge in our backyard.
They'll have a stream table there demonstrating natural flows of streams, how they change
over time, how conservation efforts can help improve.
Yeah.
It's a really, really cool demonstration.
Yeah.
I haven't saw that before.
That's really interesting.
Oh, I'll check that out.
And with this, the Discovery Education stations will be set up and everything as well
to kind of teach on some other topics.
Yep.
They'll be teaching about rocketry and electricity.
They'll have face painting.
They'll have different arts and crafts and they're going to bring three of their animal
ambassadors.
And if you want to know what their animal ambassadors are, you're going to have to show
up and see them.
So you're such, you're so good at the teachers, so good at these.
And as we've touched on, this is not only a fun event for you as a person or going with
your friends or certainly your family.
But when it comes to bringing kids into these events, for one, it's always great to have
something to look forward to and have something that you could do with the kids.
It is to be blunt, free, and you get them outdoors.
But you also, we just never know when that spark might happen in the kids' mind.
And you were talking before about getting younger people involved in these organizations
and getting them care about conservation.
This is one of the ways we do that by sparking that interest of them and showing them how
cool science is, how great it is, and how rewarding this information can be.
Yeah.
And it's not just conservation that is at science by the river, very heavy conservation
because that's Jen and I, that's who we love, right?
But there's many different stations where, you know, maybe you're looking at engineering.
There's a couple of stations that focus on engineering.
Who knows if that's going to strike, you know, some cord in your kiddo and they, I really
like this.
I really like electricity.
I'm going to be electrician.
You know, you just never know.
So that's why we wanted to offer this opportunity to our community, not only for kids, but
also for any age to just become aware of the opportunities that you have to become
involved to put your efforts towards or to just be curious about, right?
Yeah.
And I know that we, you guys at Extension are a huge part of this.
You do a lot of this, but you're not alone in this effort as we're wrapping up when
to shout out the other organizations and part of this with you.
Yeah.
Clean Green Action has been a huge advocate and a huge supporter of science by the river.
And then the Encourage Community Foundation is also financially supporting this year,
which is really wonderful and we're really thankful for their support.
And we've got a planning committee of all different organizations, you know, it's not
just one UW Extension or two UW Extension educators that can take on this task.
It takes the community to host a community event.
Do you guys, well said, do you guys need volunteers or anything for this event?
Could you use any extra hands or anything?
If we could use a couple of extra hands if you'd like to volunteer or if you'd like to
just learn more information about science by the river, you can reach out to me at 715-421-844-0,
or you can email me at anna.m.james at whisk-w-i-s-e-d-u.
It throws me when I hear this.
I know.
That is now obvious to mention a lot of things.
I know.
Do you guys have a Facebook page for science by the river?
We do.
We do have a Facebook page.
You could go on Facebook and search science by the river.
I've got some sneak peeks at the discovery stations that we'll have set up and we'll
be releasing the map and a couple of different really cool information about the event.
Again, just to go back a little bit anna and remind everybody about how they can be a part
of these different conservation groups, these different organizations, as far as community
science goes.
That's another one you can ask Anna about as well and get caught up on.
One more time, people need to reach out to you, get in touch with you.
How can they do that?
You can email me at anna.m.james at whisk-w-i-s-e-d-u or call me at 715-421-844-0.
We will see you at Science by the river, enjoy yourself, and thank you so much for hanging
out with us.
Thank you so much, James.
We'll have more Midday Magazine coming up for you here at 97-5 FM 13-20-am-WFHR.
We are locally grown radio.
