We are big fans of citizen science! Of course, science is always cool, and STEM/STEAM projects are an increasing part of everyone’s work and school experiences. So understanding how science works is not just fun, but a good way to understand what is going on in the world around us all.

So we are sharing some neat science you can do, contributing toward large projects, and learning new things. Maybe you can use this today; maybe you will save it for later. As long as you enjoy some exploration and learning new things – citizen science is for you! And it is definitely something you can use to bring some good programming to your library.

This week we are looking at the Gardenroots program!

“In partnership with community members, Gardenroots aims to: Evaluate environmental quality and the potential exposure to contaminants of concern (COC) near active or legacy resource extraction and hazardous waste sites; Successfully communicate the study results to all participating individuals and families; Disseminate the results broadly in order to appropriately influence community prevention practices and environmental decision-making.”

“So what’s the challenge?

Gardens have been shown to be vulnerable to external stressors. With pollution, drought, and climate change representing an ever-increasing problem, environmental impacts to gardens from air and water represent a widespread concern. Soils can be a repository for society’s waste; a collection point for surface runoff and airborne deposition. Community revitalization and public health efforts could be diminished if gardens are unknowingly cultivated in environmentally compromised spaces.

Living in Environmentally Compromised Spaces, the truth hurts

One in four Americans lives within three miles of a hazardous waste site,¹ of which there are roughly 355,000 in the U.S.² Furthermore, the U.S. is home to more than 450,000 brownfieldssites, or former industrial properties deemed unsuitable for active use without reclamation and cleanup efforts.⁴ As if these numbers weren’t bleak enough, the U.S. is also home to approximately 550,000 abandoned mining sites, with more than 80,000 abandoned mines⁴ in Arizona alone. U.S. mining sites are linked to the generation of 45 billion tons of waste and are often encountered in arid and semiarid regions, such as Arizona. The dry and arid conditions of the Southwest drive dust emissions and can result in the long-range transport of metal-contaminated aerosols unearthed by historical mining operations, such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead.^{5, 6}

Let us put two and two together

When the U.S. has community gardens plus hazardous waste and legacy mining sites, what do we get? A potential comingling of the two where some communities may be gardening in brownfield sites and near environmentally comprised areas.^8,9,10 Hence, efforts are needed to investigate and evaluate the potential risks associated with growing food within the impact zone of resource extraction sites, as well as to balance the health benefits associated with eating affordable, available, locally grown food.

Citizen Science and Community Engaged Research

These types of environmental health issues are intricate and require capacity building, culturally sensitive strategies, and a trained population of scientists working at the local level. Representation is required for underserved communities if the decision-making process and lasting solutions are to be adequately shaped and developed. This type of local representation can be accomplished through a citizen science approach to research. Citizen Science is also recognized as an active conduit to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education (STEM) and is spurring the next generation of STEM leaders. President Obama’s call to action to create a “Nation of Makers” reflects these observations. In June 2015, the White House celebrated a “Week of Making” recognizing individuals who are using new tools and techniques to launch businesses, learning vital skills in STEM, and leading grassroots Do-It-Yourself initiatives.”

What can you do to bring this project into your library?

• Bring out a display of books on plants, vegetables, flowers – anything that grows in a garden
• Let students draw or paint some plants and flowers
• Plan out a garden for the library or for your own backyard. Do you have flowers, vegetables, herbs? What plants will go well together? Annuals or perennials?
• Look the EPA website to find out about hazardous waste sites in your area. What kinds of chemicals are in the ground near your library?
• Pull up a map of your state, or the area where you live. Where are the mines located? What types of mines are in your state? Are there mines that are operating as mines? Any operating as tourist attractions?
• Bring in some containers and dirt and seeds. Let students plant some seeds to make their own indoor container gardens.
• Get some soil testing kits, and test the soil near the library. Would it be safe to plant and eat vegetables from that soil?