Ecologische citizen science : een weg naar grotere maatschappelijke betrokkenheid bij de natuur?

This study examines the relation between ecological citizen science and social engagement with nature, with a specific focus on the role of research projects in which volunteers take part in inventories of nature. We gathered information from interviews with coordinators of such projects. Our study shows that ecological citizen science contributes towards social engagement with nature in two ways. First, there is a deepening of engagement because volunteers become more intensively involved with and knowledgeable about nature. Second, there is a broadening of engagement, because more people become involved. However, the relation between citizen science and social engagement with nature is not a one-way street, but reciprocal. Social engagement with nature is not only a consequence of participation in citizen science projects, but often also the starting point for such participation.