2026 International Day of Women and Girls in Science shifts the focus from recommendations and reflection to showcasing existing good practices and solutions for building more inclusive Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) ecosystems with the slogan “From vision to impact: Redefining STEM by closing the gender gap« .
So this year, to mark February 11, International Day of Women and Girls in Science, at UP, we focused on researchers that tickle the topic of citizen science in STEM, especially in the field of biology. Citizen science means the active participation of the public in scientific research projects. The basic aim of citizen science is to offer every citizen the opportunity to actively participate in the various phases of the research process. By doing so, we encourage not only the broader public, but especially young girls and women to be actively involved and see their role in science as active and inspired future scientists.
CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECTS AT UP
REGALNICA – REGIONAL CENSUS OF THE EUROPEAN TREE FROG (Hyla arborea)
Assist. Prof. Martina Lužnik, Department of Biodiversity UP FAMNT
What is the main goal of REGalnica, and why is surveying the European tree frog important for Slovenia? And how do surveys such as REGALNICA contribute to the conservation of vulnerable species and their habitats?
There are two main goals: the first is to collect field data on the occurrence of the European tree frog (Hyla arborea) in ponds and other water bodies in south-western Slovenia; the second goal is to involve the public as much as possible so that awareness of endangered species, such as amphibians, can be effectively spread through first-hand field experience.
The European tree frog is a small but charismatic frog that is listed in Slovenia on the Red List of threatened amphibians, where it is defined as a vulnerable species. In south-western Slovenia, however, we had already noticed several years before the first REGALNICA that its occurrence was becoming increasingly rare, perhaps because its breeding sites – wetlands and ponds – are also disappearing. With this project, we want to obtain as reliable data as possible on its occurrence across a wide area – on the Karst, in Istria, in the Brkini and elsewhere. Until recently, on late spring evenings, we were used to loud croaking here, which could be heard from practically every pond or pool.
How does the project connect science, people and nature, and how do participants take part in data collection?
I think it is important that we are all aware of the biodiversity in our surroundings, meaning the diversity of species as well as their natural habitats. This is not something that is important only for scientists or conservationists, but is absolutely essential for everyone. By taking part in this project, participants do not only get to know the European tree frog, as they see, hear and experience much more than just a single species.
REGAlnica is organised so that on a selected evening in May, we gather at the Škocjan Caves Park, with which we have cooperated since the beginning of the project. There, we explain to participants how to reliably detect this species – male European tree frogs have a very characteristic and loud call, by which they can be recognised from a distance. All participants then head out at the same time for night fieldwork to predetermined locations – near ponds and other water bodies – and in a single night, we obtain data for just over one hundred locations. Of course, in the field they also encounter many other organisms – other amphibians call from the ponds, scops owls and other nocturnal birds sing nearby, and jackals often howl in the distance… The nocturnal soundscape is extremely interesting.
Four REGALNICA events have already been carried out, and the fifth will take place this May – what has surprised or impressed you most about the events so far? Are any new event's developments in sight?
The first thing that pleasantly surprised us was the strong response, as we had between 50 and 70 participants at each event. Many are students and biologists, which may be expected, but there are also many other participants, for example families with children and local residents who feel close to nature. It is also lovely to see participants return every year if they can. What makes us happiest is the participants’ enthusiasm. When they call us and report how many frogs they have already heard that evening or what else they have seen. This enthusiasm for nature is wonderful.
This year we are not yet planning major new developments, but in the coming years we would like to expand REGALNICA across the border to Croatia and perhaps also to Italy. It is important to understand what is happening to the populations of this species in this cross-border connected area.
What are the key findings so far that have emerged from the field data collection?
Despite intensive work and all the enthusiasm, we are observing that the European tree frog is much less present than it once was. After a year or two we could not say this with certainty, but after four years of data collection this is now quite clearly evident – croaking can still be heard from only about a third of former breeding sites. Many ponds are completely overgrown or filled in, some water bodies have dried up; after a few years of losing potential breeding sites, amphibian populations can no longer persist. Therefore, we must take proper care of these habitats in order to preserve the aquatic organisms that are inevitably dependent on them.
HOW TO JOIN THE CITIZENS' INITIATIVE "REGALNICA"?
REGAlnica is a regional census of the European tree frog (Hyla arborea) conducted in the Brkini Hills, the Karst, and Slovenian Istria as a citizen science event, where participants, supported by experts, check for the presence of the species at known or former sites. It is important because it provides up-to-date data on the status and decline of the European tree frog, while also raising awareness of the need to preserve ponds and prevent the introduction of fish into breeding sites.
SEARCH FOR NON-NATIVE FLATWORMS IN SLOVENIA
Group of female researchers from the Department of Biodiversity, UP FAMNIT:
Answered by: Assoc. Prof. Živa Fišer, Head of the Biodiversity Department, UP FAMNIT
What was the main reason you established and are developing a citizen science initiative?
The reason was entirely simple – one of us found an organism in her garden that she could not identify despite her biological knowledge. With the help of the internet, we discovered that they were flatworms, terrestrial planarians, which have no native representatives in Slovenia. A review of the literature showed that these organisms can in some places represent a considerable environmental problem, so it seemed sensible to try to find out more about them. Researching such poorly known and relatively inconspicuous species is extremely difficult, so the idea of doing this with the help of the public immediately came to mind.
What surprised you most in researching non-native flatworms?
I think we were most surprised that they are a fascinating group of animals. Although at first glance they are unattractive and often quite repulsive to people, their life cycle is incredible. They are capable of self-regeneration – if we cut them in half, a new individual grows from each half within a few weeks. Some species have the toxin tetrodotoxin, which they use for defence or to paralyse prey. This is the same toxin as that found in pufferfish or some tropical tree frogs.
What challenge do you most often face when involving the public?
The biggest challenge is reaching people and motivating them to join the research. It is easier if more attractive animals are involved, as people are then much more willing to take part and contribute more data. With organisms such as flatworms, however, we have to invest a great deal of effort in promoting the project. For this reason as well, the four researchers decided to join together as a team, divide the work, and try to obtain as much data as possible. We were very grateful to the magazines that were willing to publish an article about our search and thus expand the circle of recipients.
Why do you think this way of researching is particularly important today?
It is a misconception that in the past citizens did not participate in research; the term citizen science was simply not used at the time. However, this is one of the good ways to obtain a larger amount of data precisely for such more hidden species. We expect flatworms mainly in private gardens, indoor plant pots, and garden centres; these are places that researchers of course cannot freely enter and investigate, so the public is invaluable here.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN THE INITIATIVE “SEARCH FOR NON-NATIVE FLATWORMS IN SLOVENIA”?
If you have encountered flatworms from the turbellaria group while gardening or engaging in other activities, please do not touch them (you can lift them with sticks), record your observation (take a photo and, if possible, catch it), and report your find to: ploskicrvi@upr.si,, via the Facebook group “Tujerodni ploski črvi v Sloveniji”,the form > HERE, or by landline (05 663 58 07; on weekdays).
More
LOOKING FOR COWSLIPS
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Živa Fišer, Head of the Department of Biodiversity, UP FAMNIT
What can an individual contribute to the project and to scientific research through simple observation?
Citizen science projects are designed to involve members of the public in research, where they contribute observations or take part in other aspects of research, such as data processing or promotion. In this way, citizens gain an active role and effectively become a key part of the research team.
Why is public participation in protecting endangered species so valuable?
Most endangered species today are indirectly or directly threatened by human activity – due to habitat loss, hunting, collecting, and similar pressures. If humans are responsible for their disappearance, we are also the only ones who can contribute to their survival. Over the years, it has become clear that without the support and cooperation of the public, we cannot protect species. We cannot protect something we do not know, understand, and come to appreciate. I see this as the key contribution of citizen science to the protection of endangered species.
What is the most important piece of information, lesson, or knowledge that people gain when they take part in this project?
As this was a relatively simple project, both children and older participants took part. Participants learned to recognise a particular species – in this case the cowslip – and at the same time realised that sometimes small differences in structure can mean a big difference for a species. In the study, participants examined one hundred primrose plants in a given area and counted how many had a long style, visible in the flower as a small knob, and how many had a short pistil. Regardless of whether participants learn specific scientific facts in such activities or not, I think the very sensitisation of the public to nature and the processes within it is important in itself. Urban populations in particular are becoming increasingly disconnected from nature, and with such small activities we can encourage participants to return to nature, at least for a few moments, and gain a fragment of this experience.
What advice would you give to young people interested in botany or nature conservation?
To anyone interested in nature in any way – plants, animals, or other organisms – I recommend joining the iNaturalist platform. This is a global online platform through which we can upload photographs of species, whether from our local surroundings or from foreign, exotic places. With the help of a rapidly growing scientific and amateur community, we can obtain information on the platform about the species we have photographed, create a kind of list or album of our recorded species, and at the same time contribute invaluable data on species occurrences. Thanks to this platform, knowledge of many groups of organisms has improved greatly, and not only that – some lucky individuals have even captured in photographs species that were previously unknown to the community.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN THE INITIATIVE “LOOKING FOR COWSLIPS”?
Did you know that cowslips have two types of flowers and can only reproduce if pollen from one type of flower is transferred to the pistil of another? In nature, the ratio of the two flowers is supposed to be approximately the same, but a European study conducted in collaboration with citizen scientists has shown that this balance is disrupted in some areas, which may pose a local threat to the species.
STEP CHANGE: SRNA APPLICATION FOR MONITORING WILDLIFE ANIMALS
Prof. Dr. Elena Bužan, Department of Biodiversity UP FAMNIT
How does the SRNA project combine citizen participation, science, and wildlife conservation?
SRNA is a citizen science app that connects nature observers with researchers. It is available in two versions: one for hunters and one for other nature observers. Users submit observations of animals (or signs of their presence, such as tracks or droppings), while researchers analyse the data and use them to complement existing databases and other wildlife monitoring methods (e.g. camera traps, environmental DNA). The app supports standardised observation entries, allows the addition of photographs and comments, and includes separate functionalities for hunters and other observers. At the same time, it incorporates educational tools (guides and a photo quiz) aimed at improving users’ knowledge and data quality, which is directly useful for conservation, wildlife management, and coexistence with animals.
What do participants learn about wildlife species when collecting observations?
Participants learn species identification through built-in identification guides and a photo quiz. A pilot evaluation of the SRNA app shows that users are generally successful in identifying more distinctive species (e.g. fox, beaver, coypu, chamois, ibex, deer), but have more difficulty with groups that look similar, where small differences are important (e.g. martens, weasels, and jackal versus wolf). With the help of the guides and quiz, participants learn which species are more difficult to identify, which features to pay attention to, and how important it is to attach a photograph or add a more detailed field description to assist researchers. In addition, the in-app statistics allow them to follow the distribution and presence of individual species on a map. An upgrade of the app in 2026 will also enable the entry of data on biological samples that volunteers can provide to researchers, as well as direct communication between researchers and app users.
What was the most surprising or interesting aspect of the data collected by users?
It was interesting that observation entries differed between hunters and other observers, both in terms of species and reporting patterns. Among the most frequently reported species was roe deer, followed by red deer and wild boar, while hunters also relatively often reported chamois and Eurasian golden jackal. Differences were also evident in spatial patterns (across biogeographical regions), in reporting dynamics (e.g. pronounced evening peaks), and in the delay between an encounter and the submission of a record. Particularly important is that SRNA can complement other monitoring methods: in at least one area, hunters recorded the presence of bears and wolves via SRNA between 2022 and 2024, even though these species were not detected in the same area by camera traps or environmental DNA.
What would you say to anyone thinking about joining the SRNA project for the first time?
Joining is simple, and every entry counts. If you are not completely sure about an identification, the built-in guides and quiz can help; whenever possible, add a photograph, as this increases the reliability of the record. Enter the (meta)data as accurately as possible (location, time, number of individuals, any comments on behaviour or the animal’s condition), and always avoid disturbing the animals. By participating, you contribute to a better understanding of species distribution (including rare, protected, or invasive species) and to science-based conservation and management.
HOW TO GE INVOLVED IN "STEP CHANGE: SRNA APPLICATION FOR MONITORING WILDLIFE ANIMALS"?
The SRNA app helps recording the presence of selected wild mammal and bird species in Slovenia. In addition, the app includes a visual quiz to test mammal identification skills, a field guide to help with the recognition of animal species. It also enables communication with researchers. You can participate by downloading the app and starting to enter your animal sightings whenever you encounter them in nature, whether during a challenging climb or a walk in the woods!
PROTECTION OF BRONZE MONUMENTS IN A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT
Assoc. Prof. Ana Slavec, UP FAMNIT & UP IAM / InnoRenew CoEWhat led you to work with citizen science?
Ko sem se začela ukvarjati z odprto znanostjo, sem spoznala nekaj raziskovalcev, ki so v svojem delu uporabljali prakse občanske znanost. Njihove izkušnje so me navdušile, zato sem te pristope preizkusila v projektu Zaščita bronastih spomenikov v grajenem okolju, kjer sem bila odgovorna za razvoj mehanizma za vključitev javnosti v varstvo kulturne dediščine.
Why are photographs and observations by citizen researchers crucial for understanding bronze deterioration?
Bronasti predmeti na prostem so izpostavljeni številnim dejavnikom, od onesnaženosti zraka do vremenskih vplivov. Zaradi tega se njihovo stanje lahko hitro spreminja, kar je samo z občasnimi terenskimi ogledi težko zanesljivo spremljati. Če bi ljudje redno dokumentirali stanje spomenikov, bi lahko na podlagi daljšega niza fotografskih opazovanj natančneje spremljali, kdaj in kje prihaja do sprememb. V času trajanja projekta nam žal ni uspelo zbrati dovolj obsežnega nabora podatkov, vendar verjamemo, da bi ob bolj množični udeležbi javnosti v prihodnosti lahko vzpostavili dragocen dolgoročen vir informacij.
How does public participation contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage?
Poleg naravnih vplivov dediščino pogosto ogroža tudi človekovo ravnanje, kar potrjujejo tudi nedavni primeri v medijih, med drugim namerno poškodovanje spomenika v Velenju. Z vključevanjem javnosti v spremljanje in dokumentiranje dediščine krepimo občutek pripadnosti, skrbi in odgovornosti do prostora. Zato verjamem, da lahko aktivno ukvarjanje ljudi z dediščino pomembno prispeva k zmanjšanju pojavov vandalizma ter dolgoročno zmanjša ranljivost spomenikov v zunanjem okolju.
What message would you share on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, with those considering a research career or participation in scientific projects?
In recent years, we have observed that trust in science can no longer be taken for granted. Due to the rapid spread of misinformation, the gap between the scientific community and the public is widening. This is precisely why citizen science has such a valuable role. It allows us to bring people closer to how knowledge is actually created and why it is important to assess information critically, verify sources, and understand research processes.
By involving the public in data collection and observation of the world around us, we emphasise that science is not a closed group of selected individuals, but an open process based on questions, doubt, verification, and cooperation. Anyone who knows how to observe, think, and ask questions already carries within them part of the potential of a scientist. These are skills that we need today more than ever.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN "PROTECTION OF BRONZE MONUMENTS IN A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT"?
Bronze monuments develop different patinas depending on the substances used, rainwater and other environmental factors. To preserve these monuments for future generations, it is crucial to understand the processes of material decomposition. By collecting photographs from citizen researchers, scientists and restorers can better understand the wear of bronze and decide on the most appropriate method to preserve and protect cultural heritage. Thus, you can upload a photo on a dedicated webpage.
