Citizen Science

Citizen science uses the power of people to collect, record and analyse biological and environmental data. Working together to collect data, across the catchment, Citizen Scientists contribute to our understanding of the overall health of our rivers.

If we don’t know which species of plant and wildlife are present in our rivers, we cannot act to better protect or conserve them. Citizen science includes surveys, wildlife camera recordings and anecdotal records, which together help to build a picture of what wildlife is present, and what is missing. This data helps us to decide what practical measures are needed, such as installing riverside nest boxes, or eradicating invasive plants. Citizen science can also help us to confirm whether our river interventions are working for the environment, in the way we intended, for example improving water quality or diversity of freshwater life.

We share wildlife records and environmental data with partnership organisations, to help them get a better understanding of our catchment and how it relates to the regional and national picture.

Examples of how we have used Citizen Science, as well as projects that you can get involved in.

Yorkshire Invasive Species Forum

Salmon recorder

Wardsend Cemetery bird & butterfly surveys
In partnership with NatureCounts Sheffield and Freinds of Wardsend Cemetery

Waterblitz – Slow the flow to Grassmoor Country Park
We undertake monthly water quality testing. So far the scheme seems to be showing reduced turbidity and potential water filtration!

River Rother Freshwater Invertebrate project
Report coming soon!

Other projects

Wildlife camera project 2019

Using wildlife camera’s deployed and monitored by Citizen Scientists and in conjunction with MammalWeb, the project identified 1,138 mammals and birds on the River Rother at the Avenues Washlands. This was part of the Hidden Heritage Secret Streams project.

Click here to look at the data!

Otter footage captured during the project!

Riverfly monitors

DCRT coordinate two Riverfly Monitoring Teams in the Don Catchment, one on the river Went near Pontefract and another on the Holme Brook and river Hipper in Chesterfield. The data volunteers collect helps to detect severe pollution events in our rivers and understand what invertebrates are in different parts of our catchment.

Explore the data by clicking here

Interested in training?

DCRT offers training in The Anglers’ Riverfly Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) to riverfly groups. To find out more including fees, contact us [email protected] or click below to access our contact form.

Online contact form