Birds, borders, and breakthroughs: Citizen Science for informed action.
The project set out to do more than just about citizen science data—it set out to build bridges. And it succeeded.
What emerged was a vibrant, cross-continental community of practice, uniting citizen scientists from East and West Africa in a shared mission for conservation.
At its core were the people who truly shape environmental decisions: national environmental management authorities, wildlife personnel overseeing parks, and leaders from prominent bird conservation NGOs across Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, Uganda, and beyond—spanning nine countries in total.
One of the most remarkable achievements was the publication of scientific papers rooted in citizen science data—a breakthrough for the region. For Kenya, these were the very first scientific papers born out of the Kenya Bird Map (KBM), marking a milestone in the country’s ornithological journey.
Even more powerful than the data itself was how the papers came to be: through collaborative authorship. Each paper became a testament to the collective effort of researchers, practitioners, and citizen science managers working side by side. This collaborative spirit was nurtured by two transformative training courses under the Darwin Project, which didn’t just teach skills—they fostered trust, dialogue, and lasting professional relationships.
On a personal note, this journey was nothing short of eye-opening. Coming from a background with limited exposure to birds, I found myself immersed in a world of expertise and passion. I discovered not only where the knowledge gaps lie, but also how I could contribute—both to bird conservation and to the broader environmental movement. I now have access to a wealth of data that I can draw from in my own research, future publications, and teaching. More importantly, I’ve found a community I’ll remain part of long after the project’s end.
New article by: Peggy Ngila (Darwin citizen Science Project trainee and data analyst)
