People walking while helping science

Researching how hikers work together with scientists to cover unknown and difficult terrain

Citizen science in the backpack

Text and drawing by Frits Ahlefeldt, Hiking.org

Illustration of hiker scientists taking samples from a stream and sending data. Environment scientific Science drawing by Frits Ahlefeldt — Two hiker scientists working together taking water samples on a hike and sending data

The freelance writer Enrique Gili writes in an article for Rei.com (link to article) about a 22 year young hiker walking on the Appalachian trail back in 2004. A hiker who grew more and more frustrated, wondering about how he could combine being outdoors with making a difference

AdventureScientists.org

Gregg Treinish as the now not so young hiker is named, finished his Appalachian trail 2174 miles through-hike, and continued among other adventures to hike 22 months, 7188 miles along the spine of the Andes Mountains in 2008.

And Gregg also succeeded in putting his thought from back in 2004 into action when he started AdventureScientists in 2011, to help connect scientists and outdoor explorers in joint scientific research

Illustration of two citizen science hikers taking photos and notes from a polluted river. Environment scientific Science drawing by Frits Ahlefeldt — Two hikers taking notes and documenting effects of environmental pollution along a trail and stream

The work for conservation facilitated by AdventureScientists.org can now count the participation of more than 1000 explorers that have added over 25.000 days of scientific researc in fields so diverse as understanding the impact of microplast, to monitoring endangered wildlife, illegal foresting and to GPS and collect data about roadkills, so the road builders can place green corridors in the right places.