Event Date
Collabinar: Jackie James
Join Jackie James and the Center for Community and Citizen Science for a virtual discussion of the importance of scientist/community collaborations and how these collaborations can help drive successful community based citizen science campaigns.
In 2005, Jackie and her neighbors founded the Clean Air Coalition of WNY, and worked together to hold the company and its environmental manager responsible for emitting dangerous chemicals into surrounding neighborhoods. Using community-based science, collaboration with government agencies, and a campaign of public pressure, community members achieved over a 92% reduction of benzene (a known carcinogen) at Tonawanda Coke. These efforts contributed directly to the company’s 2013 conviction on fourteen counts of breaking environmental laws in U.S. district court, ultimately resulting in the plant’s closure in 2018. Today, Jackie works with fellow Western New York residents as board chair of Citizen Science Community Resources and mentors communities nationwide.
The Center for Community and Citizen Science Collabinar events invite our partners from across the globe to bring us their most exciting challenges and opportunities in community and citizen science. Each event supports mutual learning, and advances projects and partnerships.