Grants and Awards
South Australian Environmental Citizen Science Strategy
In 2022, the South Australia Government established a $2 million Citizen Science Fund which has been used to encourage and support the community to carry out scientific research about our environment.
The South Australian Environmental Citizen Science Strategy was developed to encourage public participation in environmental science by supporting the development of projects that are engaging for the public and also help to answer priority environmental questions.
The development of this strategy was one of the government’s key commitments in the overarching plan for biodiversity protection from 2022-2025 and is complemented by other activities, including grants programs to support research projects.
Read the South Australian Environmental Citizen Science Strategy.
Citizen Science Awards
About the Awards
Participation in citizen science is growing around the world and is delivering wonderful scientific, educational and social benefits. ACSA defines citizen science as involving “public participation and collaboration in scientific research with the aim to increase scientific knowledge”. The profile and capacity of citizen science in South Australia has never been stronger and we want to celebrate these achievements.
This year we are offering two prizes: a first prize of $5,000 and a finalist prize of $2,500. We would encourage the use of these prizes to further support the project or to generate new projects.
South Australian Citizen Science Awards nominations were open during May – June 2026.
Inspiring South Australia, the Department for Environment and Water and the South Australian Chapter of the Australian Citizen Science Association (ACSA) are delighted to deliver the 2026 award for outstanding Citizen Science Projects in South Australia. Applications were received from current citizen science projects that promote and increase community participation, and encompass quality science, engagement and education. Successful applicants will be announced during National Science Week in August 2026.
To read more please visit the Inspiring SA Website.
Grants
The Department for Environment and Water recognises the value that citizen science adds to our knowledge about the environment.
The Citizen Science fund has been fully allocated and two Grant Programs provided support to citizen science projects which have demonstrated increasing strategic relevance beyond traditional community engagement objectives. Collectively, funded projects have contributed to:
- Environmental monitoring across areas and timeframes otherwise difficult to resource.
- Improved understanding of species distributions and ecosystem health.
- Community capability and scientific literacy.
The program has effectively leveraged volunteer effort, local knowledge and community networks to gather environmental data that supports monitoring programs for the benefit of both Government and Researchers.
Please see details below of projects being delivered by both the large and small grants programs.
Summary of Environmental Citizen Science Large Grant Projects 2024-2027
The Environmental Citizen Science Large Grants were aimed towards collaborative and longer-term citizen science research projects focused on key environmental questions which could inform conservation activities or policy decisions; and projects that sought to enhance the capability of citizen science participants or project leaders. See the detailed summaries of all successful projects below.
Fungimap Inc.
Duration: 3 Years
Completion Due: 2027
Amount: $214,888
Project Name: Fungi for Function: bushland health indicators
Find Our Fungi! engaged volunteers, Bushcare groups and schools in monitoring native fungi across the Mount Lofty Ranges to investigate whether fungi can be used as indicators of ecosystem health and resilience. Citizen scientists contributed observations and specimens that improved understanding of South Australia's biodiversity, support conservation research, and will help land managers assess the condition of native bushland.
Austland Management Pty Ltd
Duration: 3 Years
Completion Due: 2026
Amount: $120,955
Project Name: Enhancing resilience in a social-ecological system: Citizen Scientists building an understanding of arid woodland resilience to natural disturbance through a long-term Phenology study
The project collected phenology data within the mallee of Calperum, Taylorville Stations and Gluepot Reserve over a 2-year period to build a baseline understanding of this important set of ecological function within the mallee in relation to climatic variability and disturbance regimes.
Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation
Duration: 3 Years
Completion Due: 2026
Amount: $ 60,000
Project Name: Nha ba Wuna Puwatingara Meritbii - To See and help Freshwater Turtle on Limestone Country
Limestone Coast Turtle Monitoring Project brought together Aboriginal communities, schools, volunteers and conservation organisations to identify and monitor freshwater turtle populations across the Limestone Coast. Citizen scientists recorded turtle sightings, nesting activity and habitat use, helping to improve understanding of turtle populations, guide habitat restoration, and support efforts to reduce threats such as fox predation.
BirdLife Australia
Duration: 3 Years
Completion Due: 2027
Amount: $136,587
Project Name: Conservation through Knowledge: empowering citizen scientists in beach-nesting bird recovery
Hooded Plover Volunteer Capacity Building Project strengthens South Australia's network of citizen scientists working to protect the threatened Hooded Plover. Through volunteer training in bird monitoring, nest protection, remote camera use and community engagement, the project supports improved conservation outcomes while generating valuable data to guide the species' recovery across South Australia's beaches.
Trees For Life
Duration: 3 Years
Completion Due: 2027
Amount: $275,438
Project Name: If you build it what will come? Measuring Landscape Health
Landscape Function and Health Monitoring Project engaged landholders, volunteers and community groups in collecting data on the condition and resilience of native landscapes. The project is developing and testing a citizen science monitoring framework, training participants to assess ecosystem health and generate valuable data to support biodiversity conservation, restoration planning and long-term landscape management.
Lower Eyre Peninsula Coastcare
Duration: 3 Years
Completion Due: 2027
Amount: $ 49,990
Project Name: Marine Hitchhikers of Eyre Peninsula: Citizen Science Program from Port Augusta through to Coffin Bay
Marine Hitchhikers of Eyre Peninsula engaged divers, fishers, boaters, students and coastal communities in monitoring introduced marine species along the Eyre Peninsula coastline. Citizen scientists recorded and photographed marine life, helping researchers detect invasive species, track their spread and build a better understanding of local marine biodiversity to support biosecurity and conservation efforts.
The Nature Conservation Society of South Australia & Birdlife Australia
Duration: 3 Years
Completion Due: 2027
Amount: $77,056
Project Name: Capacity building of citizen scientists for woodland bird monitoring
Bird Monitoring and Identification Training Program provides citizen scientists with expert training in bird identification, ecology and survey techniques, building the skills and confidence needed to undertake reliable bird monitoring. The project strengthens community capacity to collect high-quality biodiversity data while supporting long-term conservation and monitoring of bird populations.
The Trustee for Nature Glenelg Trust
Duration: 3 Years
Completion Due: 2027
Amount: $ 80,000
Project Name: Limestone Coast community bird monitoring program - building capability for long term biodiversity monitoring to inform adaptive management
Limestone Coast Bird Monitoring Project trained community volunteers to monitor bird populations across the Limestone Coast using nationally recognised survey methods. Citizen scientists collected long-term data on bird diversity and distribution, helping researchers better understand environmental change and providing valuable information to guide conservation and land management decisions.
Northern and Yorke Landscape Board
Duration: 3 Years
Completion Due: 2027
Amount: $150,954
Project Name: Waterbug Bioblitzes and Waterwatch SA - Building community capacity through collaborative catchment monitoring across three Landscape SA regions
Community Waterway Health Monitoring Project engaged volunteers, schools, community groups and First Nations communities in monitoring the health of waterways across multiple South Australian catchments. Through water quality testing, waterbug surveys and biodiversity monitoring, participants contributed valuable environmental data that will help improve understanding of catchment health, support natural resource management and build community stewardship of local waterways.
Australian Citizen Science Association Inc
Duration: 3 Years
Completion Due: 2026
Amount: $147,456.70
Project Name: Capacity Building Program for South Australia’s Citizen Science Project Leaders
Citizen Science Leadership and Capacity Building Program equips current and emerging citizen science leaders with the skills, tools and knowledge to design, manage and grow high-quality citizen science projects across South Australia. Through hands-on BioBlitz training and flexible online learning, participants build expertise in project planning, volunteer engagement, data management, community partnerships and evaluation, strengthening the long-term impact of citizen science initiatives.
Summary of Environmental Citizen Science Small Grant Projects 2023-2026
The Environmental Citizen Science Small Grants were for citizen science projects that address research questions or gather data about living things and the natural environment: plants, animals, fungi, species, ecosystems, ecological communities. The projects ran from between 1 and 3 years and included the key elements of our natural environment, including soil, water and air.
University of South Australia
Duration: 3 Years
Completion Due: 2026
Amount: $14,700
Project Name: Mozzie Monitors in Schools
Mozzie Monitors in Schools engages students across metropolitan and regional South Australia in mosquito surveillance through a citizen science program led by the University of South Australia. Participating schools collect and photograph mosquito samples, contributing valuable data on mosquito distribution and disease risk while helping students develop scientific skills and awareness of public health and environmental issues.
Flinders University
Duration: 3 Years
Completion Due: 2026
Amount: $14,940
Project Name: How do human disturbances affect little penguin numbers, behaviours, and recovery?
Granite Island Little Penguin Monitoring supports volunteers to monitor the critically reduced Granite Island little penguin colony through nightly observations and data collection. Citizen scientists record penguin numbers, breeding activity and human disturbances, helping researchers better understand the factors affecting the colony's recovery and informing conservation efforts to protect this iconic South Australian species.
AUSMAP, Total Environment Centre
Duration: 3 Years
Completion Due: 2026
Amount: $15,000
Project Name: Microplastic Mapping: Engaging Citizens to Find Effective Solutions for the Future
Kangaroo Island Microplastics Monitoring engages community volunteers, students and local organisations in monitoring microplastic pollution on Kangaroo Island's coastlines. Citizen scientists collect data on the types and abundance of plastic debris, contributing to a national microplastics map and providing valuable information to support community action, environmental management and efforts to reduce plastic pollution.
Brownhill Creek Association Inc.
Duration: 3 Years
Completion Due: 2026
Amount: $14,780
Project Name: Yabbies as indicators of the health of a groundwater-dependent ecosystem in Brownhill Creek (Wirraparinga)
Brownhill Creek Yabby and Water Monitoring Project engages school students, community volunteers and university researchers in monitoring yabbies and water conditions in Brownhill Creek Recreation Park. By combining citizen-led surveys of yabby populations with stream and groundwater monitoring, the project will improve understanding of local ecosystem health and provide valuable data to support the management and conservation of this important urban waterway.
Miss Jessica Bamford
Duration: 3 Years
Completion Due: 2026
Amount: $11,355
Project Name: Wild Webcap
Wild Webcap engages citizen scientists in surveying and documenting Cortinarius, one of Australia's largest groups of native fungi. Through field surveys, species identification and DNA analysis, the project will improve knowledge of South Australia's fungal biodiversity, contribute valuable records to the State Herbarium, and build community skills and appreciation for the important role fungi play in healthy ecosystems.
Mr Brian Gepp
Duration: 1 Year
Completed: 2025
Amount: $ 9,000
Project Name: A review of the relationship between fire and biodiversity, using previously unknown studies from 1974 and revisits to the same sites in 2024: Nangwarry Native Forest Reserve.
Nangwarry Native Forest Wildlife Monitoring Project engages TAFE students, community volunteers and government partners in surveying wildlife and habitat values within Nangwarry Native Forest Reserve. By revisiting historical monitoring sites and comparing traditional survey methods with remote camera technology, the project will improve understanding of biodiversity trends, support long-term conservation management, and contribute valuable ecological data for future research.
Mr Emmanuel Lukingan-Katz
Duration: 3 Years
Completion Due: 2026
Amount: $15,000
Project Name: Citizen Science to Restore Coffin Bay's Lost Oyster Reefs
Community Oyster Reef Restoration on the Eyre Peninsula engages local divers, oyster growers and conservation volunteers in collecting data to support the region's first community-led oyster reef restoration project. Citizen scientists monitor oyster recruitment, test reef restoration methods and track marine biodiversity, helping restore important coastal habitats and improve the health and resilience of local marine ecosystems.
The Friends of Belair National Park
Duration: 3 Years
Completion Due: 2026
Amount: $ 7,200
Project Name: Support for Bush Buddies Belair
Bush Buddies Citizen Science Program engages primary school-aged children in exploring and learning about nature in Belair National Park through hands-on environmental activities and citizen science. The project will provide equipment and resources to help children observe, record and share wildlife and environmental data, building their scientific skills, connection to nature and understanding of local ecosystems.
BirdLife Australia
Duration: 3 Years
Completion Due: 2026
Amount: $15,000
Project Name: Fleurieu Tern Monitoring Program
Encounter Bay Seabird Monitoring Project trains volunteers to identify and monitor terns, shorebirds and other seabirds around Encounter Bay. Through community workshops and monthly surveys, citizen scientists collect important data on seabird populations and diversity, helping inform conservation and management of the Fleurieu Peninsula's valuable coastal habitats.
Kangaroo Island / Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch
Duration: 3 Years
Completion Due: 2026
Amount: $15,000
Project Name: Informing Conservation through Citizen Science Data Collection
Dolphin Watch Kangaroo Island and Victor Harbor engage volunteers of all ages in monitoring local dolphin populations through boat-based and shore-based surveys. Citizen scientists photograph and identify individual dolphins, contributing to one of Australia's longest-running community-led marine mammal monitoring programs and providing valuable data to support dolphin conservation and habitat protection.
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