Matthias Nuß: Citizen science biodiversity (pre-festival workshop)

An intensive workshop and encounter with nature for festival artists and audience guided by Saxony-based entomologist and biodiversity researcher about the central European biodiversity situation and citizen science as an approach for improving scientific literacy, pro-environmental behaviour and community engagement in non-scientists.

In this theoretical and practical hands-on workshop participants will learn about decreasing insect diversity in both daytime and night time sessions, and how armies of non-scientists have for decades been supplying scientists with much needed data on European insects, birds and many others. In recent years they have been using apps to do so.

Entomologist Dr. Matthias Nuß, section leader of the Lepidoptera team of Senckenberg Natural History Collections’ Museum of Zoology in Dresden is involved in many national and international research projects and public outreach in science and nature conservation, including working with artists. A proponent of citizen science and co founder of the Entomology working group at NABU Saxony (Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union) he is committed to agriculture that is as pesticide-free as possible. A corresponding author of the memorandum on the future of the Red List of Threatened Species, he is recipient of the NABU’s silver badge of honor for his voluntary commitment to people and nature.

The language of the workshop is English. Morning session will take place from 10.00 to 12.00, evening session from 22.00 to 00.00. The event is supported by the Czech-German Future Fund.