Listen to this recording of by IFLA's ENSULIB standing committee, to learn how libraries are working at the forefront of citizen science; the connection between NASA climate change science, citizen science observations, and mosquito-borne disease; how the international GLOBE Mission Mosquito citizen science campaign is providing a common language and approach for meeting the global challenge to ensure good health for all from mosquito-borne diseases; and examples of resources and partnerships that public, academic, and research libraries can leverage.

1. IFLA/ENSULIB WEBINAR SERIES PRESENTS
Neighborhood Science: working
locally to confront global challenges
Brought to you by
ENSULIB, IFLA‘s Environment, Sustainability and Libraries Section
Tuesday November 1, 2022
6:00am PDT / 1:00pm UTC
Presenters:
Vivienne Byrd | Rusty Low, PhD | Theresa Schwerin

2. privacy
This event is being recorded .
The video will be posted on YouTube and the link will be posted on ENSULIB’s webpage as well as
on Facebook. The chat and the Q&A protocol will not be recorded nor published.
Microphones have been muted for this event.
Questions or comments? Please type into the chat or Q&A box.
The talk is GDPR-compliant
IFLA and ZOOM privacy policies:
https://www.ifla.org/data-protection-policy ​
https://zoom.us/privacy
Questions regarding privacy
professionalsupport@ifla.org

3. Opening Speech
Dr. Petra Hauke
Secretary, ENSULIB Section of IFLA;
Visiting Teacher, Berlin School for Library and Information Science,
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
email: petra.hauke@hu-berlin.de

4. speakers
Vivienne Byrd | Rusty Low, PhD | Theresa Schwerin
Librarian at Los Angeles Public
Library, leads Full STEAM Ahead &
Neighborhood Science initiatives.
Climate scientist & educator at the
Institute for Global Environmental
Strategies (IGES), science lead for the
GLOBE Mosquito Habitat Mapper
IGES Vice President for education
programs, leads the NASA Earth
Science Education Collaborative.

6. Tell me and I forget.
Teach me and I remember.
Involve me and I learn.
-- Benjamin Franklin

7. WHAT is Neighborhood Science?

8. WHY Neighborhood Science?

9. Neighborhood Science Contributes to:
● SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being
● SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation
● SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
● SDG 11: Sustainable City & Communities
● SDG 12: Responsible Consumption &
Production
● SDG 13: Climate Action
● SDG 14: Life Below Water
● SDG 15: Life on Land
● SDG 16: Peace, Justice, & Strong
Institutions
● SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

10. HOW to Offer
Neighborhood Science in Libraries?

11. ● Identify key issues and concerns
● Search and identify existing citizen science projects
related to the identified issues
○ NASA Citizen Science, SciStarter, Zooniverse
● Identify and establish partnerships
○ Resources, supports, and/or funding/grant
opportunities
○ Programs & outreach
○ Amplify efforts
● Create library programs (in-person & online)
○ Types (talks, workshops, scavenger hunts, bioblitz,
nature walks, book clubs, meetup groups)
● Spark and/or sustain interests in NeiSci beyond or without
attending programs
○ Circulation kits
Check List

12. LAPL Partners

13. Program & Outreach

14. https://neisci.cc/nskits

15. LAPL Science @ Home Videos
http://bit.ly/laplstemvdo

16. https://lapl.org/bioblitz

20. Neighborhood science: connecting local to global
Rusty Low and Theresa Schwerin
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies

21. Questions
1. Does it seem that mosquitoes are arriving earlier in the
spring and leaving later in the fall than you remember?
2. Do mosquito bites seem to hurt you more than they
did previously
3. Who is responsible for mosquito control in your
community?

22. Outline
• Why are we interested in mosquitoes, and what is
NASA’s role?
• Citizen science using the GLOBE Observer app
• Research & applications connections
• How to access the data
• Library programming and resources

24. The number of days each year that are suitable for disease transmission
by mosquitoes is rising in much of the U.S., as temperatures climb with
climate change.
Arkansas Kansas Missouri Louisiana
Nebraska Oklahoma Texas Nevada
Find the city near where you live here: https://medialibrary.climatecentral.org/resources/mosquito-disease-danger-days-2018
Poll Question #1

25. Source: Jenn Glaser, Scribe Arts
Poll Question #2

26. Can NASA see mosquitoes from space?
Learn more:
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/disease-vector
https://appliedsciences.nasa.gov/our-impact/news/tracking-mosquitoes-space-nasa-does

27. Citizen scientists make the connection between satellite data
and mosquitoes
https://observer.globe.gov

30. We have three strategies to protect communities from
vector-borne disease:
Surveillance Mitigation Education
does all three!

31. Poll Question #3
Read more here: https://observer.globe.gov/news-events-and-people/news/-/obsnewsdetail/19589576/new-meets-old-mosquito-habitat-mappers

35. • Mosquito Habitat Mapper is being used
by community entomologists in Ethiopia
to identify locations of a dangerous recent
invasive malaria vector (PMI, CDC)
Scientists harness the volume and velocity of citizen science big data and
apply it to the health challenge of vector borne disease

36. A new malaria vector in Africa: Predicting the expansion range of Anopheles stephensi
and identifying the urban populations at risk

37. • Developing competent algorithms to recognize and label landscape
features using AI needs thousands of images- which citizen scientists
provide using the GLOBE Observer app. Current research with USF
and Goddard’s AI Center for Excellence.
Scientists harness the volume and velocity of citizen science big data and
apply it to the health challenge of vector borne disease

40. • Scientists are crowdsourcing mosquito images and identify first appearance and range of new
invasive species.
• They are using these images to create AI that will enable automated recognition of species
• New technologies empower citizen scientists to be agents of change, supporting surveillance and
reducing risk of disease in communities
Scientists harness the volume and velocity of citizen science big data and
apply it to the health challenge of vector borne disease
Read more here:
https://observer.globe.gov/news-events-and-people/news/-/obsnewsdetail/19589576/press-release-using-citizen-science-and-ai-to-track-deadly-and-in

43. Safety First!
Always be safe and follow your local
regulations for outdoor activities.
Our investigation focuses on
mosquito larvae, an immature
development stage that lives in water.
Larvae do not bite and do not pose a
health hazard. However, where there
are larvae, there may also be adult
mosquitoes.
Safe practices: insect repellant, long
sleeve shirts and pants. Clearing or
covering standing water also
improves safety.

44. Environmental data produced at a volume and velocity never before possible
Low et al. 2021
Low et al. 2021 GeoHealth

45. Accessing the data

46. GLOBE Data is open access
observer.globe.gov/get-data
Tools for discovering,
accessing, and using GLOBE
data:
● API
● Tutorials
● User guide
● Search and download:
GLOBE Advanced Data
Access Tool and Data
Visualization System
● Curated and publication
datasets

47. Publications available at https://observer.globe.gov/publications
and discoverable via indexes like PubMed.gov

48. Library programming and resources

49. Vivienne Byrd
Lead on Full STEAM Ahead & Citizen Science Initiative
Exploration & Creativity Department
Los Angeles Public Library
Above: Mosquito Habitat Mapper DIY Circulating Kits for Patrons
Learn More
Profile on GLOBE Observer
Webinar for Libraries and Earth Citizen Science
Video - Library Programming: GLOBE Trees
LAPL Neighborhood Science Website
Family Science: LAPL
offered mosquito
programs and online
storytimes for families
(English and Spanish)
with the L.A. Mosquito
Vector Control, ending
with GLOBE Observer
Mosquito Habitat
Mapper to check for
mosquito larvae around
home.

50. GLOBE Mosquito Habitats is a favorite with families; we have hosted GLOBE
Mosquito Habitats in a nearby nature preserve where participants have set
and examined traps, still water areas, and streams. On neighborhood walks,
participants have identified unwanted mosquito habitats throughout the
community. Because LaSalle is a river town, many of these unwanted
habitats are found in debris along the Illinois River. Our programs place
special emphasis on litter clean-up to remove unnatural habitats. These
outdoor activities are paired with indoor programs that teach participants about
the life cycle of mosquitoes, their appearance at each stage, the diseases
related to mosquitoes as vectors, both locally, and around the world.
Learn more
Profile on GLOBE Observer
Gratitude Rocks: Where Science and Art Meet
LaSalle Public Library Website
Webinar for Libraries and Earth Citizen Science

51. Rachel Fite and Sara Quesenbury
Watch their presentation during
this GLOBE Mission Mosquito
Webinar

52. https://observer.globe.gov/do-globe-observer/mosquito-habitats
https://observer.globe.gov/toolkit/mosquito-habitat-mapper-toolkit
We have a wide range of resources: activities, games, videos, tutorials

53. Hands-on activities,
games, and resources
(e.g., books, videos,
FAQs) to build content
knowledge and skills
Observer.globe.gov/toolkit

54. Join our monthly webinar series
10 November 2022:
Citizen Science in Brazil
Register at: https://bit.ly/MHM-Brazil
Recordings available for past webinars
Visit the GLOBE Mission Mosquito campaign website
for more resources, how-to videos, and blogs
https://www.globe.gov/web/mission-mosquito/overview

55. Find Local Partners
https://www.globe.gov/globe-community/community-map
GLOBE Country Coordinators, partners, schools, and contacts are in 127 countries

56. Citizen science kits
Tested with libraries
Go to https://scistarter.org/library
Partner Resources:
SciStarter Live: Tuesdays at 2:00 ET
https://www.facebook.com/SciStarter
Watch recordings at:
https://www.youtube.com/c/SciStarter

57. Mosquito! Community
Investigation Guide
Climate Change and Human
Health Lesson Plans
More Partner Resources
https://ssec.si.edu/mosquito
https://ssec.si.edu/mosquito-espan
ol
https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/s
cied/teachers/cchh/index.cfm
Neighborhood
Science Toolkit
Neighborhood Science Toolkit

58. Citizen Science and UN Sustainable Development Goals
Source: Citizen science and the United
Nations Sustainable Development
Goals by Fritz, et al, in Nature
Sustainability 2, 922–930 (2019).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-019-03
90-3

59. Citizen Science Volunteers…
Source: Citizen science and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by Fritz, et al, in Nature Sustainability 2,
922–930 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-019-0390-3
Model behaviors and attitudes, and enhance knowledge and willingness to
contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) locally
Mobilize people to develop a sense of opportunity and ownership with regards
to the challenges they are facing
Collect data, assess SDG progress and leverage local expertise through
participatory forms of monitoring
Increase engagement and community action, and foster local ownership for
development solutions, build resilience and strengthen preparedness

60. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We gratefully acknowledge the significant scientific contributions of GLOBE Citizen Scientists and our library and
community partners.
The material contained in this document is based upon work supported by a National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) cooperative agreement award NNX6AE28A to the Institute for Global Environmental
Strategies, Arlington, VA. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are
those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASA.
Thank You!

61. Testimonials:
Dear Ms Byrd: Good afternoon. I hope this email finds that you and your family at home and at the
library are safe and healthy ! I have loved loved participating in your neighborhood Science series - I
have been and inspired and empowered to have our lausd students engage with real science !”
-- Gloria A. on attending NeiSci Tuesdays from March to May 2021
“Hey Vivienne, Great program. I LOVE that we'll have monitors at Eagle Rock--I have
asthma & had a hard time w/it last year w/the wildfires. Plus I'm interested in improving
indoor air quality, too--anything that helps.” - Liz C. on attending NeiSci Prog on Air Quality Monitoring
“Thanks a lot Vivienne, I want to congratulate your team because every Tuesday the presentations are
amazing, very inspiring and interesting topics.” - Nancy P. on attending NeiSci Tuesdays series Spring 2021.
“Thank you! This [BioBlitz] project is the first fun thing I've done since the pandemic. “ - Rachel
H. on participating in 2022 LA BioBlitz Challenge

62. November 1, 2022 ENSULIB Webinar
Neighborhood Science: Working Locally to
Confront Global Challenges
Resources/Links
★ = mentioned during the presentation
LAPL NeiSci Program Links
★ Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) - Neighborhood Science Microsite
● LAPL NeiSci DIY Kits page
★ LAPL Neighborhood Science Best Practices Toolkit
★ Los Angeles City BioBlitz Challenge Portal
● Blog: 2021 LA City BioBlitz Challenge - First-Year Accomplishments
● Blog: LA City BioBlitz Challenge - 2022 Accomplishments
● LA City Bureau of Sanitation & Environment Biodiversity Portal
★ 2022 LA City Biodiversity Index Baseline Report (PDF)
■ Biodiversity Report Infographic 1 - Overall Findings & Indicator Takeaways
■ Biodiversity Report Infographic 2 - What Can You Do to Protect Biodiversity
■ LA City - Inventory of Species of Conservation Concern
★ Biodiversity Indicator Species: A Guide to the City of Los Angeles’ Charismatic Umbrella
Species (PDF)
● LA Biodiversity Atlas (by UCLA)
● Real-Time California Roadkill Hotspot Interactive Map (UC Davis)
★ 30x30 California Portal

63. ● Other LA/CA-Specific Neighborhood Science Research Projects
■ California Roadkill Observation System (CROS) - Webapp
■ Wildlife of Los Angeles
● IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
NASA GLOBE Program Links
● NASA Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program
● NASA GLOBE Observer Page
★ Registering for November 10, 2022, NASA GLOBE Webinar: Citizen Science in Brazil
★ Accessing the GLOBE data (open-source)
★ GLOBE Observer Mosquito Mission Page
Citizen/Neighborhood Science project search hubs/platforms
● NASA Citizen Science
● Scistarter - For other citizen/neighborhood science projects.
● Scistarter Library Network - online workshops, webinars, video tutorials, etc., for
librarians
● Zooniverse
Suggested Reading & Booklist
● U.N. SDG Book Club
● Higgins, L, et al., Wild LA: Explore the amazing nature in and around Los Angeles, 2019.
● Goodall, J. & Abrams, D., The book of hope: A survival guide for trying times, 2021.
● Groc, I. & Goodall, J., Gone is Gone: Wildlife Under Threat, 2019.
● Wohlleben, P., Grady, M., et al. The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They
Communicate - Discoveries from a Secret World, 2016.

64. ● Fritz, S., See, L., Carlson, T. et al. Citizen science and the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals. Nat Sustain 2, 922–930 (2019).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-019-0390-3

65. Thank you for joining us today!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF1iTC6pqbg
Learn more
about ENSULIB