Invasive Species: Citizen Science

This app is used by FL-PRISM and other PRISM organizations to gather data on invasive species in New York State. This is an example of citizen science. Citizen science is when the general public works with scientific professionals to help with research. The region that FL-PRISM covers is about the size of New Jersey, so citizens submitting their observations of invasive species can help them identify different areas that have invasive species. Citizen scientists help identify different invasive species in areas they might not go often, have access to, or know about. 

An invasive species is an organism that has been introduced to a new area that can cause harm to the environment. Invasive species can be harmful because they can out-compete native species and decrease biodiversity in an ecosystem.

In the picture below, Laurel Williams, the Invasive Species Education and Outreach Program Manager of FL-PRISM, is showing phragmites to participants in an invasive species workshop, hosted at the Great Swamp Conservancy in partnership with CCE Madison County, CNY Land Trust, and FL-PRISM.