From counting koalas on Kangaroo Island to spotting whale sharks in the Indian Ocean, citizen science projects are taking off around the world thanks to volunteers using mobile phones and web-based data collection to help vital conservation and ecology initiatives while enjoying nature.

Flinders University researchers leading a federally funded ‘Passport to Recovery’ citizen science project on Kangaroo Island in South Australia will use more innovative approaches to expand their project over the next two year.

Flinders University researcher Dr Gareth Butler, who studies sustainable tourism development and community engagement strategies, said the project is different from other citizen science initiatives in that it looks to use tourists rather than the usual community or volunteer groups.

“Tourists’ and the tourism industry’s participation in citizen science is growing and producing some impactful data on threatened or endangered wildlife in parks and remote locations, and even about marine environments from recreational SCUBA enthusiasts,” he said.

“While some challenges persist with regard to data sampling, data quality and geographical coverage, we are seeing an increasing effort to use tourists in citizen science projects to support environmental management or conservation goals.

“In fact, we can see potential for ‘citizen science tourism’ to foster even broader awareness of environmental issues, including regenerative tourism experiences for domestic and international tourists.”

Flinders University Professor Karen Burke da Silva, who leads the Passport to Recovery project and previously the ‘Finding Nemo’ project on the Great Barrier Reef, said the prevalence and popularity of citizen science have grown in recent years.

“With climate change and community awareness growing, people are more willing to take part in science-driven research to play a role in this important scientific monitoring and ecology and biodiversity investigations,” she said.

“As well as tourists, we have involved local businesses and the Kangaroo Island community to get involved in the P2R project, which adds more benefits to the post-bushfire recovery efforts there.”

She said the benefits of inviting the public to take part include the personal growth of the citizens, enhanced scientific knowledge, cost savings from more participation and the development of social capital.

Ian Mannix, digital news editor of the science magazine COSMOS at The Royal Institution of Australia, said anyone wanting to get involved in citizen science can attend a free briefing by the Australian Citizen Science Association SA branch at the Science Exchange in the city on Thursday evening.

“Citizen scientists are now an integral part of organised science and South Australians can play a leading role in that process,” Mannix said.

“They share ideas, collect data, make observations, record outcomes and work alongside scientists. Their help makes a big difference to project budgets by better utilising resources; builds a sense of community and increases understanding of the natural and human environment.

“It also gives families a chance to have fun together and might even encourage students to study science at university, which can lead to job opportunities worldwide.”

The Australian Citizen Science Association SA branch information evening is at the Science Exchange, behind 25 Grenfell St, Adelaide, on 11 May at 6pm. Tickets are free and can be booked here.