I. Introduction

Backyard Discoveries is an ecosystem monitoring and education program which involves the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), its partners, and community volunteers. The Backyard Discoveries program seeks to educate people about ecosystems and ecosystem functions, offers opportunities for the public to learn about scientific activities through project participation, and promotes the importance of sound resource management based on accurate scientific information and environmental awareness and involvement.

The Backyard Discoveries program is coordinated from the Campbell Creek Science Center which is located on the BLM Campbell Tract. The Science Center has educational facilities that include a resource library, various reference collections, classroom areas, and 730 acres of undeveloped public land located within the city of Anchorage, Alaska. Its unique location and accessibility have made it a familiar and favorite spot for a variety of outdoor education and non-motorized recreation activities.

In 1993, the Backyard Discoveries program began when BLM education specialists, community volunteers, and partner organizations conducted inventories of Campbell Tract's plant, lichen, fungus, and breeding bird species. This successful collaboration and volunteer effort served as the basis for program expansion, and further identified a new method of educational outreach through public participation in on-going scientific studies. In recognition of the success of the program, and to further expand the program, Backyard Discoveries was awarded $12,000 in grant funds through the BLM Field Incentives Award Program in 1997.

The new funds have allowed additional inventories and educational outreach activities to be developed and added to the existing program activities, provided for stipends for program interns, and helped towards the purchase of scientific monitoring equipment. Additional partnerships have also been formed as a result of the expanding activities, and several new projects are linked to current Backyard Discoveries field activities.

For its participants Backyard Discoveries has served to inspire curiosity and interest in the natural world. It continues to provide people of all ages and interests with opportunities to explore the local environment and make meaningful contributions to scientific discovery through their actions.

II. Backyard Discoveries Activities

Backyard Discoveries consists of several key activities, each of which offers Alaskans a unique, interactive way to learn about and explore their local ecosystems. Supplemented by the Campbell Creek Science Center's facilities and land resources, each activity is designed to provide an immediate quality experience to the participants with a minimum amount of preparation. The Backyard Discoveries activities currently available are:

A) Science in a Backpack
Terrestrial Invertebrates
Water Quality monitoring (Basic and Advanced methods)

B) On-going Ecosystem Studies
Water quality monitoring
Insect survey
Native vegetation survey
Weed infestation survey
Spring point bird count
Fall migratory bird banding
Limits of acceptable change surveys

C) Mid-Summer Night Science Series and other Education Outreach Programs

Along with these key program activities, the Science Center's Library and various collections provide additional resources and information for Backyard Discoveries participants. Computer work stations are available, and the Museum offers curatorial experience for those interested in collection preparation. Other on-going Science Center programs and activities offer additional interesting events for Backyard Discoveries participants to explore throughout the seasons.

Backyard Discoveries activities are designed for flexibility and interest; they are easily replicated and can inspire a host of different ideas that generate enthusiasm for the natural world. The following sections provide descriptions of key Backyard Discoveries activities currently available with a format that identifies the basic elements and actions needed to recreate the activity.

A) Science in a Backpack

The "Science in a Backpack"packs are day-pack sized backpacks containing the basic equipment needed for self-directed exploration of certain ecosystems and related monitoring techniques. The packs are designed to stimulate interest in the topic, and to provide guidance and flexible opportunities for users to undertake field activities given simple written instructions. Individuals, educators, families, and groups can use as much or as little of the pack's contents to enrich their exploration of Campbell Tract. Currently, packs are available for water quality exploration and monitoring (basic and advanced level packs), and terrestrial invertebrate collection and study.

Location: All areas of Campbell Tract are used for explorations with the packs. Collection activities are noted in field books, data sheets and container labels, and pack users can choose where they wish to go for their experience.

Pre-arrangements: Backyard Discoveries staff designs, equips and field tests the packs for maximum appeal and usefulness to a wide range of abilities (see the supply lists and pack instructions following this section). Campbell Creek Science Center staff checks out the packs and assists the user with any initial questions. When the pack is returned, any data sheets generated or insects collected are taken to the appropriate storage location by Center staff. Packs may be checked out at any time during the day and by arrangement for weekend or holiday use. The packs are re-stocked and cleaned as needed by Backyard Discoveries staff.

Publicity: The packs are frequently used by teachers and other educators who in turn "advertise" them to students, their families and their friends. Currently no specific media outreach targets the packs, but they are introduced at the MSNSS programs.

Cost to participants: No fee nor deposit is required for pack use, though possible replacement costs could be requested if the equipment is mistreated or lost through an irresponsible action.

Benefit to participants: The backpacks provide a convenient, flexible, self-directed science experience to those wanting guidance in field study on their own time. Using simple techniques, pack users gain first-hand knowledge and experience in science exploration as well as contribute to the growing databases (water quality packs) and collections (terrestrial invertebrates).

Benefit to Backyard Discoveries: Pack users are exposed to ecosystem monitoring activities that correspond to on-going studies coordinated through Backyard Discoveries. As a result, people frequently volunteer to assist in survey work related to the pack topic. Backyard Discovery databases and reference collections gain information and specimens each time a pack is used

B) Ongoing Ecosystem Studies and Natural Inventories on Campbell Tract

Scientists, Naturalists and other experts working on specific studies to asses the health and natural resources of Campbell Tract are continually seeking volunteers to assist with survey or other work related to their studies. In response to interest, volunteers receive advanced training from the specialist, and are allowed to participate in very exciting and rewarding work. Currently Backyard Discoveries coordinates volunteers and volunteer training in the following areas:

Water quality monitoring - An effort to monitor a portion of Campbell Creek and protect salmon spawning habitat.

Insect Surveys and Fourth of July butterfly count - Ongoing inventories of Campbell Tract insects involving field collecting and specimen preservation for the Science Center's Reference collection as well as population monitoring activities.

Vegetation surveys - Plant inventories and vegetation mapping projects with additional focus on monitoring the occurrence of non-native plant species on Campbell Tract.

Spring point bird count and Fall migratory bird banding - Bird population monitoring.

Location: Current studies and surveys consider all areas of Campbell Tract. Some work is also conducted in the Science Center's classroom, library and museum work spaces.

Pre-arrangements : Each study and survey is designed and managed by the scientist or naturalist seeking the information. Study and survey ideas are presented to Backyard Discoveries staff who in turn arrange for volunteers and volunteer training. The volunteers are recruited through other Backyard Discoveries activities, school notices, internships, referrals and personal contacts.

Publicity: No direct publicity is planned, though opportunities to discuss the ongoing ecosystem studies arise in many Campbell Creek Science Center and Backyard Discoveries activities.

Cost to participants: Training and equipment use is free; specialists may have their own additional equipment for volunteers to use at no cost as well.

Benefit to participants: Participation in the on-going ecosystem studies presents a unique opportunity to volunteer for specialized training and work in several exciting areas of discovery and ecosystem monitoring. Volunteer work may also lead to internships or other advanced work. Cooperating specialists receive volunteer assistance and coordination specific to their needs.

Benefit to Backyard Discoveries: Backyard Discoveries receives information and field data directly from the specialists which is used to help build Backyard Discoveries databases and reference collections. All of the specialists who are conducting the on-going ecosystem studies have served as featured speakers for the Mid-Summer Science Series, and some have also conducted other Backyard Discoveries and Campbell Creek Science Center programs.

C) Mid-Summer Night Science Series (MSNSS) and Other Education Outreach Programs

The Mid-Summer Night Science Series brings professionals and specialists together with community members to share knowledge and experience in a lecture and "hands-on" activity format. Each two to three hour summer evening program consists of and introductory lecture or discussion followed by a field experience that invites and allows the participants to interact with both the featured speaker and his or her scientific activity. Other education outreach programs include the "Fireside Chats" lecture series, radio shows and collaboration with local newspapers on feature columns. Offered here for example, is the MSNSS outreach method.

Location: Campbell Creek Science Center lecture hall or classroom and Campbell Tract trails.

Pre-arrangements: In early Spring, Backyard Discoveries staff identifies potential topics and extends invitations to speakers. Sources of presenters include: Federal and State agency scientists and researchers, University faculty and staff, independent naturalists and scientists, non-profit organization members and staff, and others. Prior to their evening, the speakers provide Backyard Discoveries staff with materials to copy, audio-visual needs, and equipment requirements. Backyard Discoveries staff members provide set-up assistance and host the program.

Publicity: Once the speakers are identified, Backyard Discoveries staff designs a flyer describing each of the series topics, and makes it available through a variety of means: Monthly newspaper bulletins, radio public service announcements (PSA's), website listings, postings at the Campbell Creek Science Center trail side kiosks, and local community gathering places.

Cost to participants: No fee nor pre-registration is needed; interested people simply attend the session at the appropriate time and date.

Benefit to participants: People attending the MSNSS are introduced to both a scientific topic of local importance, and a scientist doing the actual work. Participants learn about the featured topic and directly interact with an activity that contributes to the knowledge base of the topic. Bringing local scientists and community members together results in a greater understanding of the issues surrounding the topic, as well as allowing individuals a more intimate opportunity to share information.

Benefit to Backyard Discoveries: Many of the featured topics correspond to the ongoing ecosystem monitoring activities conducted through Backyard Discoveries, so the program cultivates volunteers. Local scientists and experts are exposed to the Science Center's facilities, and as a result become familiar with it's potential and accessibility for future work.

III. Additional affiliations and future directions

Other ecosystem monitoring activities are affiliated with the Backyard Discoveries Program and the Campbell Creek Science Center. Interested people can volunteer to tend a weather station, monitor a stream flow station, observe animal activity as they hike, contribute to collections, help monitor land and recreation use through the Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) survey, and other interesting possibilities.

Future Backyard Discoveries activities include new pack topics such as orientation and mapping with G.P.S. units, small mammals survey, bird banding stations, website design and associated Internet education modules for rural use, cultural and historical use surveys, and more! As Backyard Discoveries continues to enthrall participants and encourage public participation in the science process, the program will expand to meet the needs of new curiosities and enthusuiasm for our own "Backyard".