On 16–17 September 2025, Blue Rivers Foundation joined the Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Task Forces Cluster Meeting in Brussels, a gathering of experts, practitioners, and organizations working together to scale up NbS for biodiversity and climate resilience.
As part of the meeting, BRF had the opportunity to lead a Workshop on Citizen Science as part Task Force 1: Data and Knowledge Sharing. Our focus was on the EcoField Tracker Project, an initiative supported by IUCN that is developing an open-source mobile app to map river barriers and freshwater features.
The goal of the EcoField Tracker is to empower citizens, researchers, and practitioners to collect and share data that can directly support river protection and restoration. By engaging communities, we aim to bridge the gap between science and practice and provide valuable tools to achieve free-flowing rivers.
Workshop on Citizen Science
During the workshop, we explored how to make the EcoField Tracker app both effective and impactful. Discussions revolved around:
- Key factors for the success of the app – ensuring usability, accessibility, and scientific value.
- Correlations between parameters – identifying how different types of data can strengthen monitoring and decision-making.
- Scenarios to strengthen the app’s impact – exploring how citizen science can support management, policy, and conservation actions.
The conversations highlighted how citizen participation is not just an add-on, but a cornerstone in protecting rivers and the communities that rely on them. The feedback and insights gained from our workshop will directly guide the next steps in the development of EcoField Tracker.
