Growing NZ's biosecurity and biodiversity knowledge through Citizen Science

Join us for the final Bioeconomy Series event of 2026 The Bioeconomy Series brings together research, innovation and real-world application to explore how science is shaping the future of land-based systems in Aotearoa. The series connects students, staff and partners through informed discussion on emerging opportunities and challenges. Citizen science is changing the way research is conducted by bringing communities, volunteers and researchers together to generate knowledge and understand the world around us. From detecting new pests and diseases to monitoring biodiversity to tracking environmental change, citizen science can broaden participation in research while creating new connections between people, place and science. This session explores the role of citizen science in building knowledge, strengthening community engagement and supporting environmental decision-making. It will consider how involving the public in research can create new opportunities for collaboration, while also raising questions about data, participation, trust and the relationship between science and society. Dr Jon Sullivan (Lincoln University) will use iNaturalist NZ–Mātaki Taiao as a case study for exploring the roles of citizen science in NZ's biosecurity and biodiversity research, monitoring and management. iNaturalist NZ is an example of how public participation can contribute to scientific knowledge and help communities better connect to changes in their environments. Dr Warwick Allen (Bioeconomy Science Institute) will use eBird NZ as a case study in how citizen participation has supercharged knowledge of NZ's birds and how birds are responding to the changing world. The wealth of bird data from eBird provides unprecedented opportunities for better understanding, and managing, NZ's birds. In the last decade, two thirds of NZ's publicly accessible biosecurity and biodiversity data, shared on the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), have come from eBird NZ and iNaturalist NZ. There is now a wealth of discoveries waiting to be uncovered in these data. There are also opportunities to be smarter and more consistent about how the data are collected and analysed, and how researchers connect with the wider community of observers. Together, the speakers will explore how science, communities and participation can work together to generate knowledge and address complex environmental challenges. The discussion will consider the opportunities and challenges of making science more open, participatory and connected to the communities it serves. Join us for the final Bioeconomy Series event of 2026 as we explore the growing role of citizen science—and how bringing more people into the research process can create stronger knowledge, deeper connections and new possibilities for a sustainable bioeconomy. Wednesday 11th November 1.00pm-2.30pm Pātiki, Waimarie Building, Lincoln University Timings 1:00 – 1:10 pm | Welcome and introductions 1:10 – 1:25 pm | Presentation 1 – Dr Jon Sullivan, Lincoln University 1:25 – 1:40 pm | Presentation 2 – Dr Warwick Allen, Bioeconomy Science Institute 1:40 – 2:10 pm | Moderated discussion and audience Q&A 2:10 – 2:30 pm | Networking About Our Speakers Dr Jon Sullivan, Lincoln University My research focuses on ecological monitoring/surveillance of invasive and native species in New Zealand, including citizen science. I have been amassing a large, long-term, high-frequency ecological monitoring dataset along 176 km of transects in the greater Ōtautahi-Christchurch and Lincoln area, started in 2003. My monitoring work is helping to document and gain an understanding of how the natural world is responding to the many and accelerating environmental changes being driven by human activities. I am one of the team that operates iNaturalist NZ and I am the NZ site administrator in the global iNaturalist Network. iNaturalist NZ is now one of the largest biodiversity databases in NZ and has recorded many NZ-first discoveries of invasive species and important new sightings of native species. I have a particular interest in the spread and impact of weeds in wildlands, and the insects that feed on NZ wild plants. Dr Warwick Allen, Bioeconomy Science Institute Dr Warwick Allen is a researcher in Plant Community Ecology at the Bioeconomy Science Institute (Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Group). His research focuses on understanding plant communities, ecosystem dynamics and the impacts of environmental change on New Zealand’s natural environments. His work includes investigating the ecological impacts of extreme weather events, including Cyclone Gabrielle, and contributing to research that supports the understanding, monitoring and protection of native ecosystems.