Gunning District Landcare

Citizen Science Takes Root in Gunning

A community BioBlitz and Citizen Science Corner build local species knowledge and spark lasting citizen science efforts.

Capacity building - LEP23-014LLC05-4

The issue

Gunning District Landcare recently completed a capital works project at Gunning Showground Bushland Park. Following improvements to the Box Gum Grassy Woodland Endangered Ecological Community in the park, new and more numerous plants and animals have been observed. Without ongoing funding to support ecological studies, GDL looked towards building community capacity with citizen science apps to document plants and animals at the park and more broadly in the Upper Lachlan Shire. This data helps land managers understand how species use the park and track the impact of habitat improvements over time. 

The solution

Gunning District Landcare and the Gunning Library built capacity in our community in two ways, by both equipping them with tools required to be engaged in citizen science as well as offering a number of educational opportunities in using citizen science apps. With funding from the Cullerin Range Wind Farm, GDL facilitated a BioBlitz in October 2025 as part of the Great Southern BioBlitz, a hemisphere-wide initiative. Gunning Library established a Citizen Science Corner with a tablet, field guides, and binoculars for public loan. To support the Citizen Science Corner, GDL offered an iNaturalist tutorial for adults and a school holiday program for local children. 

The impact

The BioBlitz delivered on both goals set out in the project. Community members gained hands-on experience with citizen science apps, and the observations collected are already informing how the park is managed. Bird species recorded during the BioBlitz revealed far more activity in the block than previously known, with species found to be nesting on site. Citizen scientists have recorded species including the Keys Matchstick Grasshopper, listed as endangered, demonstrating the real value of community observation to land managers. The Citizen Science Corner at the Gunning Library ensures this contribution continues well beyond a single event.

Author: Leah Samson

Key facts

  • 282,261 Total observations in Great Southern BioBlitz
  • 116 Total observations in Upper Lachlan Shire during BioBlitz
  • 2 Citizen Science Kits
  • 3 Pairs of binoculars for community loan

Project Partners