Community engagement and empowerment through eDNA technology in Aotearoa

Ms Amy Gault¹, Ms  Vanessa Crowe², Ms Hannah Davidson², Ms Avalon Adams², Mr Te Mauri Apiata², Miss Bobby Lust¹, Ms Megan Shaffer¹, Dr Shaun Wilkinson¹, Professor  Michael Bunce²

¹Wilderlab NZ Ltd, Mirimar, Wellington, New Zealand, ²Environmental Protection Authority, Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract:

Aotearoa’s rivers, lakes and wetlands have degraded steadily over several decades, driven largely by population growth and land-use intensification. A history of fragmented data collection and reporting has finally led to stronger reforms in the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management (NPS-FM), to broaden the scope and scale of freshwater ecological monitoring. It centers around restoring and preserving balance between water, the wider environment and community. More so, regional councils are obliged to engage with and actively involve communities and tangata whenua to identify regionally specific values, long-term visions and obligations.

Historically, there’s been a divide between community-based ‘citizen science’ and state of the environment reporting due largely to restrictive ‘gold standard’ survey methods which rely on specialist taxonomic knowledge and equipment, substantially limiting large scale use of community collected information. eDNA offers a unique opportunity for high quality and high-resolution data to be collected in a robust standardised and replicable way. Part of Wilderlab’s mihana is making easily accessible eDNA-based tools which anyone can use, something we were able to see come to fruition in the Wai Tuwhera o te Taiao program by New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority. This nation-wide program not only catalysed further uptake of eDNA by regulators but further highlighted how robust monitoring techniques can better engage and empower local communities. In this talk I will share some of our highlights and learnings about community outreach and engagement, including some of our future directions to expand these initiatives to strengthen and reaffirm the community’s connection to place.

Biography:

Academically, I’m an environmental scientist with a specific background in biology and environmental studies. My thesis research centered around a functional indicator of ecological processing in riverine environments and its utility in ecosystem health assessments in Aotearoa. I’ve always been passionate about science communication and bridging the divide between research and communities. This has led me to take part in several science outreach and engagement opportunities of which has included several volunteer and teaching positions through Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, community volunteer work, and research and support for the NZ Mosquito Census with Te Papa Tongarewa.

Within my role at Wilderlab, I work with regional councils and other environmental agencies to establish robust research and trials of eDNA methodologies in the freshwater space. I also lead the majority of our community outreach and collaboration. This has included our work with NZ’s Environmental Protection Authority on the National Wai Tuwhera o te Taiao program, and support and outreach with community led environmental groups.