You may already use various technology tools such as smartphone apps and websites to identify species and learn more about the natural world. Did you know that many of these same technologies can also be used by amateur enthusiasts to help scientists answer new questions about our world? Birder John Milhaven will look at the historical context of the "citizen scientist" and its relationship to modern practices such as crowdsourcing. We will also focus on opportunities for amateur birders and other nature enthusiasts to participate in scientific data collection from their backyard, neighborhood, local wildlife refuge and even further afield!
John Milhaven is an avid amateur naturalist and birdwatcher who has been interested in the birds of the Northeast and New England for almost 40 years and has birded on three continents. A resident of Maynard, he has explored the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge ever since it opened to the public and often birds watches, bikes and fishes there. He has participated in the SuAsCo Nighthawk survey and research projects with Earthwatch and Life Net in Ecuador. John is a Molecular Biologist and worked in the biotech industry for over two decades. John is a board member of the Friends of the Assabet River NWR and leads year-round bird walks on the Refuge.
If inclement weather should affect this event, there will be a notice posted at www.farnwr.org .
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Friends of the Assabet River NWR holds its monthly speaker series at the US Fish and Wildlife Service's Eastern Mass. Visitor Center. Talks are free and open to the public. For more information about our programs, membership and the Refuge, please visit www.farnwr.org
Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge is 2333 acres and located in the towns of Stow, Maynard, Sudbury and Hudson. The Refuge has 15 miles of hiking trails and 7.5 miles of biking trails. The Visitor Center for the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex has interactive, hands-on educational exhibits, a multi-purpose meeting room, and a Friends Nature Store.
