SciStarter is an online hub which connects people with opportunities to participate in real world scientific research. It is the world’s largest citizen science community with thousands of projects, events, and tools. Any individual can go onto the website and find citizen science projects in their area; they can also create their own projects and search for interested participants. Soldiers2Scientists has partnered with SciStarter to develop projects for the Avon Park Sentinel Landscape in addition to helping national parks advertise their existing projects in their communities. SciStarter is an amazing tool for anyone who wants to get involved in citizen science.
The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow network is a nationwide organization whose aim is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education, and research applications. CoCoRaHs has precipitation monitoring outposts throughout the United States, Canada, and even Puerto Rico. Citizen Scientists upload valuable precipitation data each day which is then utilized by The National Weather Service, The National Center of Environmental Information, engineers, farmers, teachers, and many others. Soldiers2Scientists has partnered with CoCoRaHs to recruit veterans who are interested in citizen science. CoCoRaHs’s rain gauge monitoring provides an excellent gateway experience for those who are interested in getting involved. Soldiers2Scientists has also partnered with CoCoRaHs to expand their operations in Florida at the Avon Park Sentinel Landscape Installation.
Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape
The Avon Park Air Force Range (APAFR) Sentinel Landscape is an area designated to support the Avon Park Air Force Range's military mission while preserving and enhancing the agricultural and ecological resources within and around the installation. Through compatible land use strategies, science, best management practices, conservation, economics, and policy, partner organizations and willing landowners work to maintain national defense while also maintaining essential working lands, natural resources, wildlife habitat and movement corridors, at-risk species, watershed health and water management, access to public recreation, and more. The APAFR Sentinel Landscape partnerships include landowners, local, state, and federal agencies, conservation organizations, and interested stakeholders to ensure the region's vitality. Soldiers2Scientists is partnering with the Avon Park AFR Sentinel Landscape Partnership to identify citizen science projects critical to the strategic priorities of the Range and to recruit and maintain a community of veteran citizen scientists who will help monitor the biodiversity and health of the landscape.
SOCOM Warrior Care Program
The Special Operation Command Warrior Care Program - Care Coalition Career Transition Team assists eligible Special Operations Forces Service Members who are preparing to separate or retire from the military. They develop and implement a customized career transition plan and arrange funded fellowships and internships where these service members can explore new careers, receive hands-on training, and benefit from mentorship from other veterans. Soldiers2Scientists’s research has shown that the National Park Service employs thousands of veterans, and we seek to help SOCOM by connecting service members with tailored internships and employment at National Parks and other conservation partners.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located near Peninsuala, Ohio. Cuyahoga boasts over 100 waterfalls and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad which runs along the historic Ohio and Eerie Canal. The park is a refuge for native plants and wildlife, and it hosts a range of forests, rolling hills, and open farmlands. Over the past 30 years, park volunteers have assisted in monitoring and protecting the parks flora and fauna. From butterflies to Great Blue Herons, the park has a robust citizen science program. Soldiers2Scientists is working with Cuyahoga Valley National Park to find veterans and volunteers who wish to learn more about the park and engage in some of their projects!
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is located in Prince, West Virginia. The park hosts The New River, which is considered the second oldest river in the world. Offering excellent fishing, premier whitewater boating, and some of the rarest plants in West Virginia, New River Gorge is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Soldiers2Scientists has been working with the park to promote their citizen science opportunities, particularly their Bat Emergence Program. We hope to attract veterans to the park and to promote the citizen science opportunities among the surrounding communities.
Manassas National Battlefield Park
Manassas Battlefield Park is located in Manassas, Virginia. It is set aside to honor the fallen soldiers who fought there in some of the bloodiest engagements of the American Civil War. In addition to historical artifacts, the park has hiking trails and driving tours available, and it boasts a beautiful bird friendly grassland habitat. Mike Cohn, founder and executive director of Soldiers2Scientists, has been working with Manassas Battlefield Park since 2013. In partnership with the Cornell Ornithology Lab and the park, Mike helped to monitor a network of American Kestrel and Barn Owl nest boxes at the park. Soldiers2Scientists is currently working with an intern to evaluate the nest boxes and maintain them to ensure they continue to remain suitable habitats for the American Kestrel, a species in decline.
Great Basin National Park
Great Basin National Park is located in Baker, Nevada. It is famous for its dark night skies, making it a sought after location for astronomy experts and enthusiasts. Some famous sites to visit include Alpine lakes, Lehman’s Caves, and Wheeler Peak Glacier. It is also host to Ancient Bristle Cone Pines, which are some of the oldest known living organisms in the world; these rare trees can live for over 4,000 years in isolated groves near the tree line. Great Basin National Park has generously offered to host a two week citizen science Eco-Recon expedition in August. Soldiers2Scientists will be taking veteran participants to the park to assist park officials with critical conservation research projects!
Ridge Rangers
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sounds like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest.
