ArcSolution has been hosting a webinar series exploring how citizen science can help address pollution and health challenges in the Arctic. To ensure that the insights and lessons from these webinars reach as wide an audience as possible, we are now publishing written summaries of each session. The first webinar, held on 13 November 2025, featured presentations from Anna Rönkä and Jakob Strand, covering existing citizen‑science projects and new initiatives to track wildlife interactions with plastic pollution.
Segment 1: Mapping citizen‑science efforts on Arctic pollution
Cultural anthropologist Anna Rönkä (University of Oulu) presented a comprehensive mapping of existing citizen‑science initiatives dealing with pollution across the Arctic. She emphasised that citizen science is much more than data collection; it involves local people at every stage—defining research questions, collecting samples and interpreting results. This participatory approach increases trust and ensures the research addresses local concerns. According to the ArcSolution overview, many citizen‑science projects exist but they are often scattered and short‑term. Rönkä’s team created a map of ongoing initiatives and a gap analysis to identify knowledge gaps and to highlight where more research is needed.
She noted that most existing projects focus on measuring pollution sources—such as long‑range transport of contaminants, mining emissions and plastic litter in water bodies—but that few studies link pollution exposure with health outcomes or incorporate Indigenous knowledge. To address this, ArcSolution is collaborating with institutions like the Sámi Education Institute (SAKK) in Inari, Finland, where students and community members plan to collect samples of reindeer organs, fish and water while participating in lavvu dialogues that combine scientific and traditional perspectives. Rönkä also warned of research fatigue in some communities; many Arctic residents have been asked to participate in multiple projects without seeing tangible outcomes. Coordinated efforts and transparent feedback are therefore crucial.
Key takeaways from Segment 1
- Participatory research: Citizen science should involve locals in setting objectives, sample collection and analysis, thereby increasing relevance and trust.
- Mapping & knowledge gaps: ArcSolution’s mapping exercise identified numerous scattered projects and highlighted gaps—particularly regarding health effects and Indigenous knowledge.
- Local collaboration: Partnerships with schools and community institutions encourage youths and elders to contribute samples and contextual knowledge.
- Addressing research fatigue: Coordinated planning and clear communication can reduce duplication and respect community time.
Segment 2: Using iNaturalist to track plastics and wildlife
Marine ecologist Jakob Strand (Aarhus University) introduced a new citizen‑science campaign launched by ArcSolution. The initiative invites people across the Arctic and Subarctic to document how animals interact with plastic pollution using the iNaturalist platform. Strand explained that current data on plastic’s impact on wildlife are patchy and often based on incidental reports. By aggregating observations from citizens and researchers, the project aims to build a structured, verifiable dataset covering both harmful and non‑harmful interactions.
The campaign, hosted on iNaturalist under the title “Plastics & Wildlife in the Arctic, SubArctic and Northern Europe”, asks participants to upload observations of:
- Entanglement—animals caught in fishing lines, nets or plastic packaging;
- Ingestion—evidence of plastic pieces in stomachs, droppings or regurgitates;
- Nest building—birds using plastic materials in their nests;
- Biofouling—plastic items with algae or other organisms growing on them;
- Other direct interactions—excluding animals trapped in active gear.
Strand emphasised that anyone can contribute: local residents, hunters, fishers, scientists and tourists are encouraged to upload observations via the mobile app or website. Photos are preferred but not mandatory. The collected data will help identify geographic hot‑spots and inform management strategies, directly supporting ArcSolution deliverables on pollution and One Health. The campaign also aligns with recommendations from the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP), which has highlighted major knowledge gaps in plastic impacts.
Key takeaways from Segment 2
- Structured data collection: The iNaturalist project gathers observations of wildlife interacting with plastic to create an open, verifiable dataset.
- Broad participation: Anyone can contribute, regardless of scientific background.
- Knowledge contribution: Data will reveal where plastic interactions occur and support policy and conservation measures.
To sum it all up
ArcSolution’s first webinar underscored how community engagement can transform environmental research in the Arctic. Anna Rönkä showed that mapping existing citizen‑science initiatives reveals both vibrant activity and significant gaps. Jakob Strand’s presentation launched a practical opportunity for citizens to contribute data on plastic–wildlife interactions through the iNaturalist platform. Together, the presentations demonstrated how citizen science can bridge knowledge gaps and foster inclusive, One‑Health‑oriented research in the face of pressing environmental challenges.
If you’re interested in learning more or contributing your own observations, you can watch the full webinar and explore the iNaturalist project page. Your participation could help scientists and communities better understand and protect the fragile Arctic environment.