Become a citizen scientist
Introduction
Our coastlines are teeming with unique and fascinating species, each with their own role in our coastal ecosystems. Help our scientists monitor New Zealand's magnificent marine environments.
Download this activity
Become a citizen scientist activity sheet (PDF, 359K)
What you’ll need
- Swimming togs or waterproof clothing
- Grippy footwear that won’t slip on rocks
- A 1 m² outline – ask a parent to help you make this
- A notepad and pen
- A camera to capture your discoveries (optional)
- An adult/whānau to join your adventure
What to do
Marine Metre Squared is a fun and easy way to get involved in scientific monitoring of your local coastal environment.
- Select an area of your local coastline to monitor and explore.
- Download a data sheet and seashore guide suitable for your selected area.
- Record as much as your can find in your 1 m x 1 m square patch.
- Log your findings at Mm² and join the online discussions with other Mm² members.
Go back for more
To build up a picture of how the marine environment changes over time, try to complete this action at least once more in the same area – either a few metres away, or even during a different season.
Then go back and record your findings online, helping Mm² to build up their database on New Zealand’s amazing marine environments.
Claim your Kiwi Guardians Toa Kaipūtaiao – Citizen Scientist medal
Tell us about your Marine Metre Squared experience, where you went, what you found, and what you did about it.
Complete the claim form to tell us about your activity, and we'll send you a medal. Each Kiwi Guardians action has a different medal – see how many you can collect.
Share what you did
The team at Toyota Kiwi Guardians would love to hear about what you did. Send us an email, or share something online using #KiwiGuardians, so we can share it with others. Visit Kiwi Guardians on Facebook.
