- Convenors:
-
Finn Danielsen
(NORDECO (Nordic Foundation for Development and Ecology))
Mathew Bukhi Mabele
Monika Suškevičs (Estonian University of Life Sciences)
Suma Kibonde (University of Dar es Salaam)
Ernst Jürgensen (Danmission)
Send message to Convenors
- Format:
- Workshop
- Location:
- Backstage
- Sessions:
- Friday 6 March, -
Time zone: Europe/Helsinki
Short Abstract
This workshop explores how and to what extent citizen science applied to forest governance can decolonize forest management, e.g. through approaches grounded in Indigenous and grassroots knowledge. Participants are invited to share lessons on empowering citizens and improving forest governance.
Description
Climate change policy and forest management laws and regulations are typically shaped by experts trained in specific ways of producing knowledge. These are commonly rooted in Western science and introduced with colonialism. However, many alternative approaches, particularly those grounded in Indigenous and grassroots knowledge, are often overlooked. Citizen Science approaches are increasingly introduced to many communities where they produce environmental knowledge, often through the use of digital technologies such as smartphone enabled apps. These technologies are frequently presented as providing a platform for local empowerment and knowledge production, but is that actually the case? This workshop explores how and to what extent digital citizen science technologies applied to forest ecosystem governance can decolonize forest management, improve forest governance, empower citizens, and achieve better forest conservation outcomes.
The workshop will draw on initiatives by the workshop participants as well as on four initiatives by the workshop convenors:
1. “Transformative Knowledge for People, Forests and Climate” in Tanzania (MAARIFA),
2. “Transformative Impact of Citizen Science on Environmental Governance” in Estonia (CS4Change),
3. ”Community-Based Environmental Monitoring in Karen State” in Myanmar, and
4. ”It is Our Forest, Too” in Cambodia.
At the workshop, we will discuss how citizen science can extend beyond data collection to advance governance systems and policies, highlighting citizen engagement's potential to drive systemic change. We will explore common challenges, successful strategies, and opportunities for collaboration. The workshop will use a world café approach. We propose to have one105-minute session in a room with space for c. 30 participants.
Accepted contributions
Session 1 Friday 6 March, 2026, -Short Abstract
Digital citizen science technologies can only contribute to anticolonial research about forests when they 1)create a neutral third space where Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledges can interface and 2)support the collection of data so that communities can meaningfully engage in consultation
Abstract
Landscape recording practice—even of cultural forest landscapes purporting to represent Indigenous values—is deeply rooted in historically close relationships between archaeology, scientific imperialism, and colonial perceptions of land and territory. Cultural forest landscapes are often repositories of extensive environmental knowledge, spaces of lengthy historic engagement between people and environments, key for local and Indigenous identity, culture, society, health, well-being, the ability for many Indigenous communities to negotiate the world, and threats to these landscapes threatens Indigenous existence. For digital citizen science technology projects to be truly effective, critical care therefore needs to be taken in the creation of methodologies. An interdisciplinary approach can result in more thorough and representative recording and more sustainable management of forests.
The extent to which digital citizen science technologies applied to cultural forest landscape recording, visualisation, and management can provide equal benefit to environments, communities, and professionals depends on the extent to which the co-design of community mapping projects are undertaken through an anticolonial approach to Citizen Science. Anticolonial refers to an active process of change and resistance to colonial structures, and this workshop will demonstrate key ways to create a neutral third space where Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledges can interface.
This is particularly significant as cultural forest landscapes are disproportionately affected by climate change created uncertainties and Indigenous Peoples live in ecosystems especially vulnerable to climate change; are dependent on these lands for their basic needs, resources, livelihoods and wellbeing; and are among the most marginalised and poor people in the world.
Short Abstract
Does Observatree really provide local empowerment and improve forest governance, or can more be done? In this workshop, we explore challenges and successes to answer this question and gain insight from participants' experiences.
Abstract
Observatree is a tree health- based citizen science partnership project that started in 2012, acting as an early warning system for tree pests and diseases entering Great Britain.
Citizens survey trees in their local area, from street trees to woodlands, monitoring for any signs of ill health that could point towards a pest or disease. They record findings using an online platform, Tree Alert, where reports are sent straight to government scientists for verification and analysis. Report outcomes are shared instantly with officials to provide rapid information exchange and allow authorities to act in the event of an outbreak.
Our citizens are at the forefront of protection for our woods and trees. We present a project that uses digital technology to empower volunteers across three countries to act and proactively contribute to tree health research and policy.
Does Observatree really provide local empowerment and improve forest governance, or can more be done? We propose exploring two challenges and two successes with participants to harvest their thoughts and feedback on their own experiences.
1. Challenge: Increasing engagement from citizens in isolated roles and areas
2. Challenge: Working within a partnership model
3. Success: Producing digital resources to improve citizen knowledge and support training
4. Success: Citizen representation on the project board
In keeping with the proposed world café theme, we’d require paper tablecloths and felt-tip pens to collect ideas from each table.
Abstract
I would like to participate in the workshop “Can citizen science contribute to decolonising forest knowledge” to share perspectives from Estonia, where we are establishing a forest-related citizen science living lab as part of the CS4Change project. The living lab aims to explore what kinds of choices need to be made to advance citizen science in ways that can have a transformative impact on forestry, and how diverse stakeholders (e.g., forest owners, environmental NGOs, researchers, environmental authorities) can co-creatively reach these outcomes. As part of the living lab, we will conduct participatory workshops to identify key challenges of forest biodiversity, prescriptions of respective decision-making processes and expectations of their stakeholders, co-design CS model and data collection protocols, carry out joint field observations, and iteratively reflect on the processes and results with stakeholders. A central challenge we seek to address is the legitimacy of citizen science in the eyes of decision-makers. This has proven to be a real barrier in Estonia, for example in the Estonian Fund for Nature lichen campaign, where mainstream forestry actors were reluctant to participate due to distrust of the organisers. In this sense, the living lab provides a small-scale, participatory experiment to study how legitimacy can be built and how grassroots and scientific knowledge can be bridged. My participation in the workshop would provide an opportunity to exchange ideas on these methodological questions, while also situating the Estonian case within broader international perspectives.