BLM Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Action Plan: Public Science for Public Lands

This Information Bulletin transmits the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Action Plan: Public Science for Public Lands (Attachment). The purpose of the BLM’s Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Action Plan is to engage the community through science, inquiry, and collaboration to support management decisions. The BLM benefits from public participation in, and contributions to, the stewardship and care of public lands. Public participants benefit by gaining a deeper understanding of issues on public lands and a greater connection to those lands.

To accomplish the purposes specified in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the BLM uses science and other high-quality information to inform management decisions on public lands. It is essential for the BLM to engage the public and make science-informed decisions. Crowdsourcing and citizen science can help accomplish both goals. The BLM Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Action Plan: Public Science for Public Lands Fiscal Years 2023–2028 should be widely distributed in BLM offices and to partners.

This plan addresses goals, strategies, and actions identified in the BLM’s 2015 “Advancing Science in the BLM: An Implementation Strategy.” The National Science Committee coordinates the implementation of the Science Action Plan portion of the strategy and has tasked the National Conservation Lands and Community Partnerships directorate with leading the citizen science effort within the BLM. Items that directly address crowdsourcing or citizen science from the science action plan portion of the strategy are specifically addressed in this action plan:  

• Goal 2: Ensure that relevant, timely scientific information is accessible to BLM staff and managers. 
  • Strategy 2.2.  Strengthen communities of practice, employ skills, and partnerships. 
    • • Action 5.  Strengthen BLM scientific engagement with the public by piloting a citizen science program with the NLCS, with the aim of instilling citizen science as standard practice across the BLM.

This action plan has been developed in coordination with the National Science Committee and has been reviewed by BLM directorates, the Citizen Science Community of Practice, and the Education and Interpretation Community of Practice.

Questions regarding the BLM Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Action Plan should be directed to the National Conservation Lands Science Coordinator, Fritz Klasner at fklasner@blm.gov or (775) 276-7615, or Education Specialist, Nikki Grant-Hoffman at mnhoffman@blm.gov or (970) 623-3899.