Be a scientist for a day

Here’s your chance to don the hat of a scientist and help in surveying plants, birds, insects and spiders, reptiles, amphibians and mammals.

Here’s your chance to don the hat of a scientist and help in surveying plants, birds, insects and spiders, reptiles, amphibians and mammals.

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To teach amateurs the scientific methods of documentation and data collection, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) will conduct biodiversity surveys on weekends, once every month — starting January.

As part of ‘Be a Scientist for a Day’, experts and participants will carry out surveys at BNHS Nature Reserve at Goregaon. Participants will learn to observe, record and analyse the data in a scientific manner.

The year-long biodiversity surveys will address three research parameters; species diversity, species abundance and species seasonality.

‘Be a Scientist for a Day’ is part of the Citizen Science Project launched by BNHS with the UN declaring 2011 as International Year of Forests.

“This will sharpen analytical and observation skills which are useful for wildlife studies and to use field guides and GPS gadgets,” said Atul Sathe, BNHS spokesperson.