Science
A new wave of citizen science holidays give clients the chance to be a scientist for the day and contribute to global conservation efforts. Adam Shaw reports
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ver since Charles Darwin joined the second voyage of HMS Beagle to make observations about plants and animals
that would form the basis of his theory of evolution, science and travel have intertwined. And today, clients can embrace their inner
conservationist by taking part in a growing number of ‘citizen science’ projects facilitated by tour operators – from counting penguins in Antarctica to analysing water samples in Costa Rica.
WHAT IS CITIZEN SCIENCE? The programmes give members of the public an opportunity to take part in scientific studies in a destination. They will often involve data collection, with the results used by scientists to address issues such as dwindling animal populations. An example within the UK is the annual Big
Butterfly Count, a nationwide survey where members of the public spot and record the butterflies and moths they see during certain weeks of the year, before adding their findings to an
online database. The results help scientists assess the health of the country’s natural environment. Justin Francis, chief executive of Responsible
Travel, says: “Citizen science is a broad term for a volunteer knowledge-gathering project – often nature-focused, but it can cover other areas like archaeology too. It’s generally something anyone can get involved in and might depend upon widespread participation. UK-wide initiatives seem to catch the public imagination, and we’re seeing more holidays incorporate the idea.”
WHAT TRIPS ARE AVAILABLE? Exodus Travels has 16 tours where clients can contribute to the eBio Atlas project, the world’s largest flora and fauna species database, by collecting freshwater samples that will be analysed for traces of DNA to help create an atlas of life in the world’s river basins. These trips include visits to Portugal’s Cabril
River, Savegre Cloud Forest in Costa Rica and Juuma Lake in Finland, among others. At Juuma
² 13 APRIL 2023
A Hurtigruten passenger collects water samples PICTURE: Andrea Klaussner/Hurtigruten
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