Engaging citizens in ecological science and stewardship offers advantages to ecologists, landowners, and scientists interested in increasing capacity to do stewardship work or collect data, while at the same time offering exciting opportunities to engage more - and new - people on such topics as forest stewardship, water quality, plant ecology, wildlife, public health, marine biology, social science, and more. As Cooperative Extension specialists working in the fields of stewardship, citizen science, and ecosystem restoration, the authors will share examples from our work with the Coastal Research Volunteers and the Stewardship Network: New England to illustrate the value of community engagement and the power of volunteers to get work done, provide environmental education, increase community support, and strengthen funding proposals for ecological restoration projects.

During this session, we will provide a series of examples from Cooperative Extension and New Hampshire Sea Grant restoration, stewardship and citizen science projects that have successfully engaged community members to meet project objectives. Projects will also illustrate the complexities of collaborating with with scientific researchers, public agencies, private and public conservation landowners, schools, and other community groups. We will also posit the value of linking science to action, with examples of involving volunteers at multiple steps in the restoration process, from data gathering to stewardship action.

Finally, this session will provide practical materials such as "Tips for Working with Stewardship Volunteers" and useful references for those looking to start, expand, or improve stewardship or citizen science programs or events.

Malin Clyde, Extension Specialist, Community Volunteers, UNH Cooperative Extension. Since 2013, Malin has been the project manager during the launch of the Stewardship Network: New England, and effort to mobilize and train volunteers to care for and study lands and waters in New Hampshire and beyond. Alyson Eberhardt, Extension Specialist, Coastal Ecosystems, UNH Cooperative Extension/NH Sea Grant. Alyson coordinates the Coastal Research Volunteers, an innovative citizen science program that trains community volunteers to collect data and implement restoration projects on a wide variety of coastal research and stewardship projects including wildlife habitat, water quality, and coastal dune restoration.