The BeringWatch Citizen Sentinel app is designed to record observations of local wildlife, subsistence resources and environmental phenomena and anomalies can provide a valuable database over time if collected in a reliable and consistent manner.
The BeringWatch Sentinel Community-Based Monitoring Network which includes the Citizen Sentinel app was designed and refined over the past 15 years in Alaskan Native communities. Users of the BeringWatch Sentinel app are located primarily in remote communities that are affected by a rapidly changing environment. The strength of the BeringWatch environmental data collection framework is that it is tribally-driven. Communities are better able to actively participate and lead data collection that both addresses community concerns and contributes meaningful scientific data to researchers, resource managers, and decision makers.
For community members of all ages and all experience levels, the CS app allows users to make observations of the local environment. Having a place to record and look at what you and others have observed helps this process and makes it more interesting to look at changes over time. The Citizen Sentinel app can also help younger people to record information and learn from their more experienced elders and traditional knowledge holders.
For information on joining the BeringWatch Sentinel Network please contact the Aleut Community of St. Paul Tribal Government.