By: James Hearn

Master Gardeners are known for their passion for home horticulture and their dedication to sharing gardening knowledge. But did you know that your garden or landscape can be more than just a source of beauty and fresh produce? It can also be a living laboratory, contributing valuable data to scientific research. As Master Gardeners, we're uniquely positioned to act as Citizen Scientists, bridging the gap between our communities and the world of scientific discovery.

So, what exactly is a Citizen Scientist? Simply put, it's an amateur researcher who contributes to scientific knowledge. This can take many forms, from observing and recording natural phenomena to collecting data and even participating in experiments. Master Gardeners, with our established network and deep connection to the plant world, are ideal candidates for this role. We already possess a wealth of gardening experience and a desire to learn more. By combining these qualities with a few key skills, we can transform our gardens into valuable sources of scientific information.

Our gardens, whether they're sprawling landscapes or container plantings on a balcony, are dynamic ecosystems. They’re microcosms of the larger environment, influenced by weather patterns, soil conditions, and the interactions between different species. This makes them perfect for observing and recording changes over time. The unique value of local, long-term observations cannot be overstated! Researchers often rely on large-scale, short-term studies, which can miss subtle but significant trends that unfold over years. Master Gardeners, rooted in their communities, can provide this crucial long-term perspective. We can track the arrival of pollinators, monitor the spread of invasive species, or observe the effects of changing climate patterns on our plants, all within the familiar context of our own gardens.

Scientific literacy is an essential ingredient for effective citizen science. It means understanding experimentation, reasoning, and basic scientific facts. It means being naturally curious, asking questions about the world around you and seeking answers to those questions. It means being able to read science articles in newspapers and magazines and assess whether those findings are valid. Because Master Gardeners are informed about science and technology, you can evaluate the quality of information based on its source and the methods used to generate data. Most importantly, being scientifically literate allows you to distinguish science from pseudoscience. Differentiating between the two can help you avoid misinformation and poor advice found on websites and other unverified sources.

Becoming a Citizen Scientist as a Master Gardener involves cultivating a few key skills. Systematic observation is paramount. This means paying close attention to details, noticing patterns, and recording your observations accurately. Careful data collection is essential for ensuring the reliability of your contributions. Using standardized methods and tools, whether it's a simple notebook or a dedicated app, will make your data more valuable to researchers. Critical thinking is also crucial. As you collect data, you'll need to analyze it, identify potential biases, and draw informed conclusions. Citizen science is often a collaborative endeavor, so the ability to work effectively with others, including professional scientists, is important. Finally, sharing your discoveries is a vital part of the process. Whether through writing articles in Master Gardener newsletters, delivering a presentation at a Speaker's Bureau event, or fielding questions at an Ask a Master Gardener event, communicating your findings helps to expand our collective understanding of the natural world.

How can your garden and landscape become a source of valuable scientific information? There are numerous citizen science projects that welcome the participation of Master Gardeners. Here are a few examples:

UT Home Garden Vegetable Trials: (https://mastergardener.tennessee.edu/home-garden-vegetable-trial) This program, sponsored by the University of Tennessee, enlists Master Gardeners to grow and evaluate different vegetable varieties in their home gardens. Participants receive seeds and instructions, then provide feedback on plant growth, yield, pest resistance, and flavor. This data helps researchers identify top-performing varieties for Tennessee gardeners.

Tennessee Butterfly Monitoring Program: (https://www.zooknoxville.org/conservation/tennessee-butterfly-monitoring-network) Butterfly enthusiasts can contribute to conservation efforts by monitoring butterfly populations in their own backyards. The Knoxville Zoo provides training and resources for identifying different butterfly species and recording their numbers. This data helps track butterfly populations and assess the health of their habitats.

Great Backyard Bird Count: (https://www.birdcount.org/) This nationwide event, organized by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, encourages birdwatchers of all levels to count birds in their backyards for a designated period of time. Participants submit their data online, contributing to a massive snapshot of bird populations across the country.

Budburst: (https://budburst.org/) Budburst enlists citizen scientists to make careful observations of the timing of plant life cycle events (phenophases). Participants can choose from featured research projects or create their own, focusing on specific plants or ecological questions that interest them.

These are just a few examples of the many citizen science opportunities available to Master Gardeners. By participating in these projects, you'll not only be contributing to scientific research but also deepening your own understanding of the natural world.