I hope everyone is off to a great new year and I hope this column will encourage you to spend more time outdoors in the coming year!
Not only does citizen science help scientists to gather data about the natural world, it also helps to inform scientists and regulators about what is going on in our air, water, and soil. One group that is gathering data about the air is the CMU CREATE Lab with Smell Pittsburgh.
In general, it is not a good idea to go out and look for smells as some smells are poisonous. This project is just asking you to report smells that are already in the air you are breathing. But as in all cases, if you think there is something dangerous about what you are smelling, get out of that area until you are breathing cleaner air!
Smell Pittsburgh has an app you can download (Smell PGH). When you open up the app, it will ask you about the quality of the air you are smelling at that time. You can do this as often or as little as you like. It will ask you to rate the smell, describe the odor, and if the smell is affecting you. You can also see what other people are reporting in the map feature.
By reporting what you smell, you are helping to make the air quality better for yourself and your neighbors as the researchers can begin to pinpoint areas of concern and address local agencies to conduct further inquiries.
If you’re looking for ways to get out into nature, I’ll be doing a workshop to get people involved with Project Feederwatch on Jan. 17 at 8 a.m. (sorry, the birds get up early) at the Welcome Center in Riverview Park. We’ll also make some pine cone bird feeders for you to take home.
At Point State Park, there will be a bird walk on Jan. 21 starting at 5 p.m. More information about this event can be found at the Point State Park website (events. dcnr.pa.gov/point-state-park).
Dress warm for any of these events you may go to and happy expeditions…
Joseph Reznik teaches biology and math at the Community College of Allegheny County’s main campus.
