Facilitating the Development and Evaluation of a Citizen Science Web site: A Case Study of Repeat Photography and Climate Change in Southwest Alaska's National Parks

Abstract

Interviews with national park visitors across the country revealed that climate change education through place-based, hands-on learning using repeat photographs and technology is appealing to park visitors. This manuscript provides a summary of the development of a repeat photography citizen science Web site for national parks in Southwest Alaska. Lessons learned from interviews on the Web development process are summarized to inform similar future projects: (a) Hold a face-to-face meeting in the same location with the whole research group, (b) Provide a central document accessible to the entire group listing tasks completed and to be accomplished, (c) Create a well-developed marketing plan to promote Web site, and (d) Incorporate evaluation components throughout the process to ensure clear communication.