dr.ir. AJH (Arnold) van Vliet

I'm specialised in the development and coordination of citizen science networks. The main network is the Dutch phenological network Nature's Calendar (www.natuurkalender.nl) that aims to monitor, analyse, predict and communicate the timing of life cycle events like e.g. the start of flowering, appearance of butterflies and the arrival of migratory birds. Nature's Calendar network aims to help society to adapt to climate change ecological impacts. Other examples of citizen science networks that I set up are the Mosquito Radar (www.muggenradar.nl), Tick Radar (www.tekenradar.nl) and the GrowApp (www.growapp.today).

Furthermore, I'm specialized in communicating science to society. I'm coordinating the nature news website NatureToday.com where over thirty nature organisations, knowledge institutes, nature management organisations and governmental organisations publish nature reports on current developments in nature in The Netherlands. We aim to bring nature into the news domain to increase the interest of society in nature.

• Stichting voor Duurzame Ontwikkeling (1-1-2000/31-12-2099)
  The Foundation for Sustainable Development aims to support the conservation and sustainable use of natural ecosystems by building knowledge and stimulating awareness of the many ways in which people benefit from natural ecosystems. My main activity is the coordination of the Nature Today network. A large number of nature organisations, knowledge institutes, nature management organisations and governments are member of Nature Today. The membership allows these organisations to publish nature reports on the Nature Today platform. The membership fees are used to fund the technical maintenance and development of the platform, the final editing and the communication.
• Stichting GLOBE Nederland (25-3-2014/31-12-2099)
  GLOBE is a global network of schools who perform scientific research in the field of nature and the environment in cooperation with scientists. Wageningen University & Research is one of the scientific partner organisations of GLOBE the Netherlands. My main activity is aligning the contribution of the scientific institutions involved in the educational and scientific activities of the GLOBE Netherlands program. My specific focus is on the GrowApp and the Dutch phenological network Nature’s Calendar.
• Heimans en Thijsse Stichting (7-3-2020/31-12-2099)
  The Heimans en Thijsse Foundation wants to keep attention for the Dutch nature protection activities by managing a rich library and providing the general public access to its archive. The foundation also wants to contribute to the public debate about nature protection and nature education by organising symposia, publication of news reports and awarding the Heimans en Thijsse prize.