Innovative Approaches in Rewilding: Grassroots City's Citizen Science Initiative

At Grassroots City, pioneering solutions in climate action and urban sustainability are core to the mission. Recently, GRC embarked on an innovative project in collaboration with Plymouth University and Rewilding Britain, aimed at developing a pragmatic approach to measuring and evaluating social metrics associated with rewilding projects. The goal was to create a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework that Rewilding Britain could implement independently, with additional support provided only when necessary.

The task was clear: create a sustainable and effective long-term approach to M&E for rewilding projects, ensuring continuous engagement and accurate data collection. Recognising the importance of both innovation and leadership, GRC took the initiative to explore creative solutions that would enhance the project's impact and longevity.

Networking with colleagues from a cooperative accelerator program, GRC explored the viability of creating a multistakeholder cooperative around a citizen science model. The idea was to gamify the M&E process to promote long-term participation in monitoring and evaluation. This approach aimed to not only engage the community but also to ensure that data collection was continuous and reliable.

A partnership was formed with DigVentures, a company that runs a citizen science cooperative to crowdsource data for archaeological research. DigVentures creates interactive maps with LIDAR technology to help researchers identify potential excavation sites. Drawing inspiration from this model, GRC began exploring how to adapt this platform to map and represent long-term changes in key social metrics related to rewilded landscapes. The cooperative framework was designed to ensure sustainable stewardship and continuous participation from community members.

The potential of this creative solution lies in its ability to revolutionise the way social metrics are monitored in rewilding projects. By leveraging the cooperative model and gamifying data collection, sustained engagement from participants can be ensured. The initiative, although still in development, has received positive feedback from Rewilding Britain and academic partners. This innovative approach of using a citizen science cooperative is expected to provide robust data that validates the efficacy of rewilding projects and supports their long-term success.

This project underscores GRC's commitment to innovation and leadership in urban sustainability and climate action. By taking the initiative to introduce a creative solution that integrates technology, community engagement, and sustainable practices, GRC is setting a new standard for how rewilding projects can be monitored and evaluated. The success of this initiative not only promises to enhance the effectiveness of rewilding efforts but also highlights the potential of citizen science as a powerful tool in environmental stewardship.

GRC's work on this project is a testament to the organisation's dedication to developing forward-thinking solutions that address complex environmental challenges. By fostering collaboration, leveraging technology, and engaging the community, GRC continues to make significant strides in advancing urban sustainability and climate resilience. This initiative represents a bold step forward in ensuring that rewilding projects are not only successful in the short term but also sustainable and impactful in the long term.