Organisers of a three-day citizen science project investigating urban heat and the microclimate in urban areas are asking Hawkesbury residents to help them record weather measurements.
The project, run by Hawkesbury City Council and the University of NSW, will involve three sessions held over three consecutive days at different locations.
Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Barry Calvert, said it will be “an exciting opportunity” for local citizens to learn more about science by exploring our local area.
“Participants will have the chance to assist in actual research into urban heat and microclimates,” he said.
“We’ve all been feeling the heat this summer, and it is predicted that the number of extreme hot days will increase significantly in all Australian Cities in future.
“This has the potential to impact public health, mortality rates, energy demand and the economy.”
Participants will conduct experiments and record weather measurements including air, radiant and surface temperatures, wind speed and location conditions (sun/ shade, light or dark material).
Hawkesbury is one of 22 councils and an estimated 12,000 citizens participating in the project around the country.
The data from each area will help characterise each local climate, providing information required for citizens to understand, mitigate and adapt to extreme heat.
Each session goes for two to three hours, and participants can attend one of the sessions only. Registration is required; spaces are limited to 33 citizens per session only. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
- Friday, March 15, 2-5pm at McLeod Park, Corner of Campbell and George Streets, South Windsor. Register here. View meeting point on the map here.
- Saturday, March 16, 2-5pm at Colonial Reserve, Colonial Drive, Bligh Park. Register here. View meeting point on the map here.
- Sunday, March 17, 2-5pm at Richmond Park, Richmond. Register here. View meeting point on the map here.
Visit https://citizenscienceproject.org.au for a full project outline.