Uniting citizen science and plural valuation: potential for leveraging transformative change

This paper shares results from two expert workshops which brought together nine academic experts from the fields of nature valuation and citizen science. During these two workshops, the authors discussed how citizen science can contribute to interventions that motivate the plural valuation of nature.

The authors worked with four key leverage points for change, and show where citizen science can strengthen each:

1. Recognizing the diverse values of nature, studied through diverse valuation methods and approaches. Citizen science engages citizens with diverse backgrounds and values. Involving citizens effectively also demands that scientists and policymakers articulate clearly their aims, values, interests and assumptions.
2. Embedding valuation into inclusive decision-making. Citizen science initiatives can impact decision-making through agenda setting, drawing attention to overlooked or ignored issues by scientists or governments, and pursuing environmental justice. Citizen science also motivates collaboration between stakeholders with diverse values.
3. Reforming policies, rights and regulations to internalize nature’s diverse values. Knowledge created by citizen science efforts can be embedded in policymaking, and governance structures can be adapted to improve this collaboration. Citizens can also be empowered to co-create knowledge in the assessment of progress towards targets, such as biodiversity goals.
4. Shifting underlying societal norms and goals to align with global sustainability and justice perspectives. Citizen science can strengthen relationships between people and nature, and build communities of shared values which can themselves trigger transformative change.

The authors conclude by offering three overarching recommendations to maximize the potential of citizen science for the plural valuation of nature:

• Emphasize relational values in citizen science initiatives.
• Leverage the diversity of people and initiatives.
• Stimulate structural involvement of citizen science in policy.

Citizen science facilitates plural valuation, but it also becomes more diverse and impactful when it engages with plural valuation. Uniting citizen science and plural valuation is not just an academic win-win, but a necessary foundation for inclusive, effective environmental action and conservation.