Citizen Science: Observing Pollinators Kit
Loan Period: Fourteen (14) Days (non-renewable)
Available to: Poughkeepsie Public Library District residents, 18 and over, with a PPLD Library Card for at least six months, and with no fines.
Pick Up/Return: In-person at Adriance Memorial Library Checkout Desk.
Contents and Replacement Fees:
- One book: The Bees in Your Backyard by Joseph S. Wilson & Olivia Messinger Carril, $22
- One binoculars, carrying case, and 3 packs of lens wipes, $25
- One smartphone 7-in-one lens kit, $25
- One stopwatch, $9
- One laminated data sheet, $N/A
- One clipboard, $3
- One pencil sharpener, $1
- Two pens, $N/A
- One dry-erase marker, $1.50
- One box of 12 colored pencils, $1
- One New York State Trees and Wildflower Guide, $8
- One Massachusetts Trees and Wildflower Guide, $8
- One Field notebook, $1
- One clear, plastic tub with lid, $13.50
- One laminated how-to guide (not shown)
Fines: You must return in-person. $20 if returned to Book Drop (plus damages if any); $5 late fee per day.
Call the Check-Out Desk to place a hold: 845-485-3445 x3701. Upon pick-up, you will be asked to sign a Borrower’s Agreement.
Citizen Science kits are an innovative way to connect individuals and communities to projects that could benefit from robust data collection. Through community science, people can be engaged in programs that can directly improve their community’s health outcomes. Citizen science efforts allow communities to engage with science as well as contribute to a broad project that looks at environmental health factors in their community.
Learn more about the SciStarter Citizen Science Observing Pollinators Kit
HOW-TO GUIDE (a laminated copy of this information is included in the kit):
PREPARE:
STEP 1: Create your free SciStarter account on SciStarter.org. SciStarter is an online citizen science hub, connecting millions of people from all walks of life to thousands of opportunities to participate in citizen science. Watch the above video for an overview of the project.
STEP 2: Learn how to adjust the binoculars included in the kit:
- Clean the binocular lenses with the lens wipes before use.
- Fold the binoculars until they are comfortable for both eyes.
- Close your right eye and rotate the center adjusting knob until you can see clearly through your left eye.
- Close your left eye and open your right eye, turn the right eyepiece ring (diopter) until you can see clearly. The image should now be clear in both eyes.
STEP 3: Look over the bee and flowering plants guides as well as the field guide community journal (perhaps someone added an interesting tip or question regarding pollinators near them!).
PLAN:
STEP 4: Search for a flowering plant to observe, ideally one that attracts pollinators. Check your public library’s garden, insect, bird, and plant sections for guidebooks that will help identify the plant and pollinator information that is needed when submitting your observation.
The Smithsonian Gardens’ website provides easy to use pollinator resources to help you plan, including when to observe, where to observe, and what to observe (types of plants and pollinators). Check out The Why, What, When, Where, Who, How of Pollination.
PARTICIPATE:
STEP 5: Now you’re ready to make and share your observations! You have the choice of when to enter and submit data. Either enter data while making observations directly into the web-based data page with a smartphone or tablet using Wi-Fi or cellular data, or use the data sheet, clipboard, and dry-erase marker to record your observation(s), and enter data at a later time.
ENTER DATA:
STEP 6: Proceed to your selected location to make your observations and find a comfortable place to sit. Refer to your local flower guide to identify the flowering plant you’ve selected. Focus on one site or plant each time you engage in this project to help you better understand your local pollinator community.
On the data entry form (or directly on your device), record the date, time, and location of the flowering plant you selected. Enter the type of plant you’re observing and the approximate number of flowers on that plant.
Set the stopwatch for at least five minutes and write down the types of pollinators that visit and the number of visits they make during the observation time. If the same pollinator flies away and comes back, count it twice. Remember, you are counting the visits. If possible, record the type of pollinator. A pollinator guide can help you identify specific pollinators.
STEP 7: If you recorded your observations on paper, be sure to visit the Great Sunflower Project to enter your data. You can make as many observations as you would like over time.
This kit was provided with support from the Network of National Medicine Funding