With increasing changes and threats to the environment occurring there is a strong need for engaging the general public in capturing local knowledge. Unfortunately, traditional ecological knowledge is decreasing globally. While citizen science is one tool to connect the general public with local ecological information and assist in research, we were interested in determining if including art as a way to engage with the environment could increase participants’ ecological knowledge and interest beyond traditional counts or more quantitative approaches. A “bioblitz” is a structured period of biological surveying to record all living species in a given area. Scientists, naturalists, and volunteers help collect the data, with the additional goal of engaging the public and learning about biodiversity. To test the added benefit of art on increasing knowledge and attitudes surrounding local ecological knowledge, we allowed the public to interact directly with local eco-artists and scientists while participating in fun, hands-on species counts, nature drawings, and activities related to biodiversity.
Results/Conclusions
We will share the benefits and challenges of including eco-artists in public engagement and education opportunities. Overall, we suggest the inclusion of artists in activities or events designed to engage the public in understanding their environment. Including the artistic element allows for a different level of engagement for individuals that may typically feel like they do not have the skills necessary to participate in citizen science programs or events, and, in fact, reconnects people to traditional natural history and general observation skills necessary for successfully capturing ecological information in a given area.