Virtual Volunteering

Quynh Anh N Do
Zooniverse

I volunteer on the website Zooniverse: https://www.zooniverse.org/

It’s a website with lots of projects where everyone can volunteer whenever and
for as many hours as they want.

Before I chose a project to work on, I sent a message to the organization that
posted the project, asking if they have any problem with signing the Hold
Harmless Agreement, and they agreed. I sent the document, they signed it and
sent it back to me.
Iguanas From Above

I chose four projects to work on, most of which are short term (5 - 12 hours), and
spent most of the time participating in a project named “Iguanas From Above.” This
organization worked with The University of Leipzig, Germany, the Galapagos Science
Centre, Ecuador, USFQ Ecuador and the International Iguana Foundation on this
project.

They asked volunteers to help counting the marine iguanas in the pictures taken by
drones they sent around the Galápagos Islands, where they are endemic to.

This will help the group to have a record on the number and locations of iguanas
around the islands and come up with an effective plan to preserve this rare species.
What I do

I have a look at the pictures and inform whether it contains plants, algae, sea
lions, crabs, plastics, turtles, any unidentified substance and most importantly,
iguanas. I use many dots with distinct colors for each category to cover those
areas.

On average, I can only find one or two iguanas every hundred pictures. When I
do, I also have to identify whether it’s an adult female or male, juveniles, young
males, etc.
How the pictures
look

You can go to this link

and press on the button
“Tutorial” where this
picture (and many others)
will show up to guide you
how to classify:
https://www.zooniverse.or
g/projects/andreavarela8
9/iguanas-from-above/cla
ssify
What I like

I like working on projects such as this because there is no set time and how many
hours a day I’m required to do.

After a while having gotten used to classifying pictures, I can still work without
problem even with my earphones on.

I spend more hours on this project than the other three combined because this one
helps me concentrate better and the work required was easier.

I also don’t have to worry looking around for place to fill up the volunteer hours,
because there are always projects for me to work on.
For next year

I like doing projects on zooniverse.org, but it only works temporary, when the
vaccines for COVID-19 hasn’t been available yet.

I don’t feel like having gained actual life experiences, and I would like to engage
more in activities like cleaning trash and working in a supermart or a shop.