The community has tremendous power in responding to environmental emergencies and deserves a central place in science and data knowledge. This principle is clearly illustrated in the visualization of algal bloom reports submitted by the public in the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound region.

Using data collected by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) through its Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) dashboard, the visualization highlights where and when the public has observed and reported blooms. Created using ArcGIS Pro and Canva, the project showcases how scientific methods can benefit from public participation and local environmental awareness. These reports capture events that might otherwise be missed by satellites or scheduled fieldwork, demonstrating the strength of community engagement in filling critical data gaps.

The map also includes a small QR code, encouraging others to report bloom sightings and continue building this community-driven dataset.

– Bigyapti Nepal