An article in the recent CSIRO e-newsletter demonstrates perfectly the way information from everyday people can help to develop scientific knowledge, in this case with gardeners contributing data from their own experiences that was otherwise far beyond the capacity of researchers to gather.

The article explores the case of the rare and relatively recently discovered Wollemi pine, which home gardeners have been growing since it’s release through nurseries in 2005.

A survey sent out by staff from the Sydney Botanic Gardens received more than 1500 responses from gardeners around the world, bringing in valuable data about growing conditions for this ancient species.

This information could help to save the species in the face of expected future climate shocks – a great example of new knowledge generated through citizen science!

Read the full article here, and when you too are inspired to add your ‘two-cents worth’ to science, sign up to iNaturalist and get set to have your local nature sightings counted in this year’s Great Southern Bioblitz.