AUSMAP Ambassadors: Citizen Science in Action
- AUSMAP
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
In the first three months of 2026 our incredible AUSMAP Ambassadors have already completed 25 microplastic surveys across 4 states and 2 islands!
Communities Leading the Way
Across Australia local communities have made a big impact! Proving that meaningful environmental research doesn’t only happen in laboratories, it happens on beaches, in backyards, and through the dedication of everyday people!
The year began strongly with Victor Harbor Coastcare SA, who completed two early samples at Esplanade Beach and Hayborough. Their work set the tone for what would become a wave of grassroots action across the country.
Soon after, Plastic Free Noosa contributed a sample from Marcus Beach in Queensland, demonstrating how local initiatives can feed directly into broader environmental understanding.
Meanwhile, our ongoing monthly sampling with the Cove Collective has continued to grow in both energy and impact. February’s session with Reshaping Waste was joined by special guest Amanda Cohn, while March saw an incredible turnout of 45 participants for a combined Clean Up Australia and Ocean Lovers Festival sampling event with Roland from Emu Parade and Ben and Jerry’s Manly supplying coffee and ice cream. These moments show how citizen science doesn’t just collect data, it builds community, awareness, and momentum.
Over in Western Australia, our longtime friends at Bottle Top Hill added to the effort with a repeat sample from Bicton Baths, while Ten Little Pieces impressed us with their beautiful sample processing and pictures of buckets used at the beach to encourage rubbish collection for their 2 samples on the 6th of Feb at Sunshine and Sunrise beach in QLD.
From Mainland to Remote Shores
Citizen science knows no boundaries. Leonie and Wayne, two incredible ambassadors, have been travelling the country with a sieve and bucket in hand. Their contributions from Lord Howe Island (Neds Beach and Old Settlers Beach) not only provided valuable samples to our hotspot database, but also captured the beauty and vulnerability of these remote environments.
In Sydney, the Clovelly AUSMAP Community Group, led by Ross Feller, continued their dedicated local efforts!
Then we took an excursion to Karta Pintingga/ Kangaroo Island thanks to the SA Citizen Science Grants from the Department of Environment and Water. We collaborated with the incredible Friends of Parks K.I. Western Districts organised by Bev and Collin for a sample at Vivonne Bay.
Rounding out the quarter, Hastings Environmental Rotary in Port Macquarie contributed their third sample from the region at Oxley Beach!
Meanwhile, our Senior Science Officer Dr Natasha Franklin collected a total of 7 samples in her own time documenting the high loads of plastic brought in by weather and swell in the past few months.
Why Citizen Science Matters
Each of these samples tells a story. On their own, they are snapshots. But together, they form a powerful dataset that helps us understand how plastic pollution moves, accumulates, and impacts our coastlines.
It empowers individuals and communities to take part in real scientific action.
It builds awareness and stewardship, turning concern into action.
It expands our data set far beyond what our small team could achieve.
And critically, it provides the data needed to drive change, from local cleanups to national policy discussions.
Without the contributions of volunteers, ambassadors, and community groups, this level of insight simply wouldn’t be possible.
A Collective Effort
To everyone who has taken part, whether collecting samples on beaches, sorting debris in the office, or supporting these efforts behind the scenes, thank you. Your time, energy, and care are what make this work possible!
Citizen science is more than participation. It is collaboration, connection, and impact!
Want to get involved with AUSMAP and become a volunteer?
Submit your interest here!
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