Citizen scientists in Minnesota shine brightly during Earth Month

Over the final week of Earth Month, citizen scientists are getting some love for their role in monitoring environmental threats.

Minnesota environmental leaders said residents should not feel like outsiders. A recent national study found an increasing number of federal environmental impact statements are receiving significant contributions from citizen science data. Certain apps people use to log their observations can help to confirm or justify findings.

Margaret Levin, state director of Minnesota's North Star chapter of the Sierra Club, acknowledged people banding together has led to high-profile instances of accountability.

"I think we can definitely see some examples of regular people and families raising concerns about pollution and unaccountable corporations," Levin observed.

Actions include White Bear Lake area residents playing a role in landing a multimillion-dollar settlement with a manufacturing company in 2019. Levin pointed out such awareness and activism are vital when corporations influence regulations, noting Minnesota state agencies have not always stopped polluters. Researchers said citizen input helps but it is important for decisionmakers to weed out any bias.

The Center for Health, Environment and Justice has long worked with communities around the U.S., encouraging residents to ask questions and collaborate when there are signs of toxic exposure where they live. The group now operates under the Texas Health and Environment Alliance.

Jackie Medcalf, founder and CEO of the alliance, said in situations where decisionmakers are not listening, getting more community members to speak up can help overcome feelings of discouragement.

"Continuing to organize people and getting petitions signed, getting letters signed, sending letters to elected officials," Medcalf outlined.

Her organization helps communities evaluate scientific information, especially when the technical details are hard to grasp. Leaders said willingness from the public can help soften the blow from recent federal cuts to the research community, along with Environmental Protection Agency regulatory rollbacks.