Skip to content
  • About
  • Partner with Us
  • Indonesia
  • Subscribe
  • Log In
Primary Menu
  • Home
  • Latest
  • Topics
  • News
  • Brief
  • Interview
  • Opinion
  • Figure
  • Infographic
  • Video
  • Community
  • Partner
  • Press Release
  • Youth
  • Global
  • Featured
  • Soft News

Training Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities to be Citizen Scientists

Involving IPLCs as citizen scientists means combining their specialized knowledge and wisdom with modern science and technology.
by Nazalea Kusuma and Prayul Sartika April 17, 2024
man and woman collecting data at the forest

Photo: Freepik.

Indigenous Peoples around the world coexist with and live largely dependent on nature. They have specialized knowledge on not only how to utilize the assets of nature but also to preserve them. Facilitating and advancing their centuries of knowledge and wisdom with technology and modern scientific methods would benefit everyone and the planet. Cool Earth, a UK-based organization, aims to empower Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) by training them to be citizen scientists to help conserve rainforests. 

Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities as Citizen Scientists

The term ‘citizen scientist’ refers to the general public being involved in scientific research by  sharing and contributing to data monitoring and collection. This form of public participation connects the academic community with numerous eyes on the ground, the ones closest to the objects of research. In theory, citizen science should also improve how the scientific community approaches nature with local knowledge and wisdom.

In rainforest conservation, citizen scientists can come from Indigenous Peoples and local communities living in and around the forests. Indigenous-led, technology-assisted climate actions are already taking place in some of the most remote rainforests worldwide. Training IPLCs as citizen scientists to provide important data will hopefully, in turn, help them regain control over their lives, their land, and the future of their rainforests. 

Cool Earth and Rainforest Conservation

Cool Earth is a UK-based organization with a focus on protecting rainforests. This non-profit organization provides IPLCs across the globe with technology and scientific knowledge to help combat deforestation. 

One of Cool Earth’s programs is the Rainforest Labs. This program is run by rainforest monitors and local communities that have received training from the organization on how to operate the technology for early warning systems and alerts for wildfires and illegal logging. 

In the Junin Province of Peru, Cool Earth trains local communities in fire detection, management, and monitoring in collaboration with the Indigenous federation CARE (Central Ashaninka of the Rio Ene). Meanwhile, the program in Papua New Guinea primarily helps identify illegal logging roads.

Matt Proctor, forest impacts lead at Cool Earth, said, “No matter which community of rainforest area you look at, the challenges for the people who live there are increasing but their resilience remains. Combined with their exceptional knowledge about living at one with the rainforest and protecting it for future generations, there is hope.” 

Real Action Needed

Still, training Indigenous Peoples and local communities to become citizen scientists should not be the only strategy for community engagement. Complementing this model with other tangible measures that can raise community awareness and encourage active participation in forest conservation is essential.

“Engagement activities such as raising awareness in communities and schools – alongside biodiversity training and the Rainforest Lab project were helping to manage the threat,” said Regina Kewa, Cool Earth’s program manager for Milne Bay Province in Papua New Guinea.

After all, IPLCs are the ones most affected by deforestation and climate change. At the same time, they are the ones  least responsible. Therefore, putting pressure on governments and business entities to create robust policies and take bold climate actions remains crucial for sustainable development.


Subscribe to Green Network Asia
Strengthen your personal and professional development with cross-sectoral insights on sustainability-related issues and sustainable development across the Asia Pacific and beyond.
Select Your Subscription Plan
Nazalea Kusuma
Editor at Green Network Asia | Website |  + posts Bio

Naz is the Manager for International Digital Publications at Green Network Asia. She once studied Urban and Regional Planning and has lived in multiple cities across Southeast Asia. This personal experience has exposed her to diverse peoples & cultures and enriched her perspectives. Naz is an experienced and passionate writer, editor, translator, and creative designer with a decade worth of portfolio.

  • Nazalea Kusuma
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/nazalea/
    Living with Less: Does TikTok’s Underconsumption Core promote sustainable living?
  • Nazalea Kusuma
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/nazalea/
    Brain Rot and Its Impacts on Mental Health and Cognitive Abilities
  • Nazalea Kusuma
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/nazalea/
    Addressing the Challenges in Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Implementation
  • Nazalea Kusuma
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/nazalea/
    Dark Side of the Light: How light pollution affects people and the planet
Prayul
Prayul Sartika
Reporter at Green Network Asia | Website |  + posts Bio

Prayul is a Reporter at Green Network Asia. She graduated from Adi Buana University with a bachelor's degree in Biology.

  • Prayul Sartika
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/prayulnoviliasartika/
    How Medicinal Plants Support Healthcare in Asia and Beyond
  • Prayul Sartika
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/prayulnoviliasartika/
    How Drone Technology Can Help Improve Farming System
  • Prayul Sartika
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/prayulnoviliasartika/
    Recognizing the Rights of Nature (RoN)
  • Prayul Sartika
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/prayulnoviliasartika/
    Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Agricultural Water Management

Continue Reading

Previous: Blue Economy
Next: Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Agricultural Water Management

Related Stories

The rapid development in AI technologies must be supported with AI regulation to ensure responsible usage. Establishing AI Regulation to Support Responsible Tech Usage
  • Featured
  • Soft News

Establishing AI Regulation to Support Responsible Tech Usage

by Ayu Nabilah June 19, 2025
a wilted sunflower Comprehensive and Participatory Drought Monitoring for Improved Disaster Mitigation
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

Comprehensive and Participatory Drought Monitoring for Improved Disaster Mitigation

by Kresentia Madina June 18, 2025
multiple megaphones attached on a pillar The Role of Risk Communication for Better Disaster Preparedness
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

The Role of Risk Communication for Better Disaster Preparedness

by Kresentia Madina June 17, 2025
two hands joining puzzle pieces Indonesia-UN Collaboration to Support Job Creation and Social Protection
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

Indonesia-UN Collaboration to Support Job Creation and Social Protection

by Abul Muamar June 16, 2025
a photo of Umea town landscape. How the City of Umeå Addresses Gender Inequality in Urban Areas
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

How the City of Umeå Addresses Gender Inequality in Urban Areas

by Ayu Nabilah and Kresentia Madina June 13, 2025
Fabrics drying on a clothesline Using Eco-Friendly Textiles to Support Sustainability in Fashion
  • Featured
  • Soft News

Using Eco-Friendly Textiles to Support Sustainability in Fashion

by Attiatul Noor June 12, 2025

About Us

  • GNA Founder’s Letter
  • GNA In-House Team
  • GNA Author Network
  • GNA Press Release Guidelines
  • GNA Op-ed Article Guidelines
  • GNA Community Content Guidelines
  • GNA Internship
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
© 2021-2025 Green Network Asia