Poo Patrol

Using citizen science and ArcGIS to prevent eutrophication while crowdsourcing data and democratizing research in a fun and engaging way using a publicly accessible and user-friendly app.

Eutrophication, an intensifying environmental threat that compromises aquatic ecosystems' health and water resources' safety, is exacerbated by our adorable wet-nosed, doe-eyed, and floppy-eared friends. As pet ownership in urban areas steadily increases, so does the amount of undisposed waste and the frequency of nutrient pollution through urban runoff. In urban areas largely constructed of impervious surfaces, undisposed pet waste is carried into nearby streams and rivers, carrying nutrient pollutants and bacteria that lead to eutrophication. Eutrophication causes severe ecosystem disruptions and contaminates water. Safe water sources are a precious resource–- especially in drought-stricken Southern California. 

The consequences of urban runoff are becoming increasingly alarming in urban areas with many pet-owning residentst leading to hypoxic zones or dead zones. When excess nutrients enter a body of water, algae rapidly grow creating an algal bloom or a thick cover of the surface of the water. This cover of algae prevents sunlight from reaching below the surface, severely disturbing the ecological balance of the aquatic ecosystem of that body of water. As the algae die, microbes and bacteria decompose the organic matter in a process that consumes oxygen. In addition to the loss of oxygen by the exponential growth of algae and consequently lowered productivity of covered plants, the decomposition of organic matter also contributes to lower levels of dissolved oxygen. These reduced levels of oxygen have severe impacts, causing die-offs of entire fish populations and other aquatic organisms. 

In urban areas with many pet-owning residents, the consequences of urban runoff are becoming increasingly alarming. Impervious surfaces are human-made structures such as sidewalks and streets that prevent water from percolating. Water from rain or other sources that cannot percolate through the surface steadily flows towards streams and rivers, carrying soluble and insoluble pollutants4. These pollutants can introduce excess nutrients into bodies of water causing eutrophic events, carry toxic chemical pollutants and compromise the safety of bodies of water, and carry plastic waste into aquatic ecosystems. In addition, pet waste can be carried into bodies of water through this process. Pet waste is largely made of nitrogen and phosphorus-– the key nutrients responsible for causing eutrophication and severely disrupting aquatic ecosystems. Furthermore, pet waste can also be a source of fecal bacteria that pose a threat to human health.

Algae blooms onset by eutrophication can last for several weeks and have long-term impacts on the affected aquatic ecosystem. The die-offs of organisms that occur can significantly lower dissolved oxygen levels, trigger trophic cascades, and severely disrupt an ecosystem–- lowering the quality of the water. The duration of the impacts of eutrophication can vary based on the severity of the event and the aquatic organisms that underwent a die-off, but will certainly have long-lasting consequences on the water quality and ecosystem health. Factors such as sunlight, water temperature, nutrient availability, and water currents dictate the length of eutrophic events. Nonetheless, harmful algae blooms as a result of eutrophication severely threaten the ecological well-being of nearby aquatic ecosystems.

The design for Poo Patrol is based on previous projects I have made using the Esri Survey123 app and ArcGIS Online. First, similar to my Invasive Species Plant Survey of my community and school, the design solution app will utilize Survey123's capabilities of uploading photos along with their location, and the ability to transport the reported data into Map Viewer for further analysis. The Survey123 app can be easily downloaded and its friendly user interface makes it simple to upload pictures and locations simultaneously. In addition, the Survey123 app is capable of capturing reliable data even offline– allowing users to upload data from hiking trails and other remote outdoor areas. Furthermore, the Create Watershed and Downstream Trace analytic tools in ArcGIS Online will be used for my app–- as I used in my Campus Cleanup Trace map. By plotting the areas of pet waste, these tools can help visualize the way undisposed waste enters our watersheds. This data will be used to lobby homeowner associations and city councils to install pet waste stations in problem areas–- in a community-oriented effort to mitigate the impact of pet waste on human health and the environment. As a proof of concept, an app called Litterati works similarly and has shown inspiring outcomes. Similar to Poo Patrol, the Litterati app analyzes and tracks the different types of litter in different communities through crowdsourced data. The power of crowdsourced data and the potential for lobbying for environmental solutions can be observed in Litterati’s successes. Like Litterati, the design solution app will use crowdsourced data to identify optimal areas to install pet waste dispensers to prevent eutrophication and contamination of waterways– empowering individuals to make a difference in their community’s health and the environment in a fun and engaging way. 

Current efforts to prevent eutrophication are aimed at businesses and larger governmental organizations rather than individual community members. As I collected data for my Invasive Species Plant Survey, I thoroughly enjoyed my time outdoors looking out for invasive species–- and the app served as a way for me to be more physically active while increasing my awareness of invasive species in my community. In the same way, the design solution app will foster friendly competition between community members-– making walks and hikes with our furry friends more enjoyable and fulfilling.

I feel that citizen science is democratizing research and transforming the way communities learn about the environment. Through Poo Patrol, I hope to promote community engagement in science and discovery and galvanize environmental stewardship in a new generation of leaders. With limited opportunities to directly get involved in climate solutions, Poo Patrol addresses inequities in science learning. These projects will not only make Glendale greener, but citizen science will make scientific information more accessible to the public and empower students and residents alike to impact their communities.

Since freshman year, I have skillfully dodged these delightful surprises to get to my bus stop. At first, this common occurrence was only a reason for me to cautiously watch where I step until I learned about eutrophication– an intensifying environmental threat that compromises the health and safety of our ecosystems and water resources in my AP Environmental Science class. As someone who never knew the dire consequences of undisposed pet waste before, I am eager to share with others and empower communities in learning.

As an ex officio student member of Glendale's Sustainability Commission providing a voice for youth in Glendale, I have had the opportunity to connect with others in our community. With such experiences in local government, I understand how crucial community involvement is in effectively carrying out creative climate solutions. 

As a high school student, I understand how students don't always know where to start. With accessible solutions like Poo Patrol, even students will be empowered to make small changes in their daily lives to be a part of a bigger solution. 

Furthermore, my extensive background in using ArcGIS-- even presenting at the Esri 2022 Climate GIS Forum-- and previous projects following the path litter takes to enter our local waterways have given me the opportunity to directly observe how their communities are affected using data-driven findings. 

My dedication to my community in Glendale and my goals towards achieving a more sustainable, educated, and involved community embodies the experiences that I will bring to Poo Patrol. 

I have encouraged the students in my club, CMHS Earth Corps, to collect data as well. As students who take the bus to school every day, we have been able to collect data through these specific routes. In addition, teachers and students who walked their dogs also were able to log the data of undisposed pet waste in their local parks and neighborhoods. However, the results are limited because of the small test group. Otherwise, I have gotten feedback regarding the formatting of the citizen science survey.

I have also researched successful results regarding the implementation of pet waste stations. A community in Wales has constructed several pet waste stations in local villages in response to commonly left pet waste. As a result, Morwenna Owen, the Clerk of the Rhosyr Community Council has claimed that the stations “have been very successful,” and “had decreased [the amount of dog fouling in the area] by about 70%” thus demonstrating the effectiveness of implementing such stations. Pet waste stations are composed of a waste bag dispenser and a sturdy waste bin. Signs are also used to invite pet owners to clean up after their furry friends and include a diagram of how to properly dispose of the waste. These clean-up stations help reduce the accumulation of undisposed pet waste in our neighborhoods and make cleaning up after our pets easier and more accessible. 

Though there have not been many opportunities to directly test this solution within the greater Glendale community, I envision small-scale test runs can be implemented through school-promoted competitions. Schools in my community can encourage students of all ages to participate in a competition to collect the most pet waste data during their walks with their pets. From this data, I would use analytic tools in ArcGIS Online to identify problem areas and assess possible changes that could be made to optimize data collection. Furthermore, following the competition, competitor feedback will be collected as a way to improve the design solution. A limitation of this app would be that it is dependent on community participation for the crowdsourced database. Without active participants, accurate analysis of impacted areas will be disrupted until there is enough data to show a pattern. However, following test runs of the app as a part of a community-oriented campaign, participants will be encouraged to make suggestions to make the app more fun and immersive– like a video game. By promoting the app on Nextdoor, a social media platform for neighborhoods, people in communities everywhere can move from complaining about the problem to taking action about the problem. 

I feel that current solutions to raising awareness about nutrient pollution, urban runoff, and undisposed pet waste are not engaging communities the way a video game would. With Poo Patrol and friendly competition, more people-- especially youth-- would feel more driven to participate. In addition, current efforts do not focus as much on the individual in realizing how seemingly harmless everyday actions can exacerbate larger environmental issues.

Poo Patrol will allow users to gain a broader perspective on the impacts they make in their communities while learning. Citizen science enables communities to take individual action and have access to scientific research. 

Poo Patrol will empower residents in communities to learn about seemingly harmless actions while contributing to a climate solution through a fun app. By participating in this citizen science project, residents will learn more about how pet waste enters our waterways.

 More members of a community will become aware of the role they play in taking responsibility for their pets. Learning about the role pet waste plays in eutrophication, more people will begin to realize the importance of cleaning up after their pets.

 More pet waste stations will be installed in problem areas to reduce the amount of undisposed pet waste. Poo Patrol will use the Esri Survey123 app and ArcGIS Online to collect location data of pet waste and pet waste stations to analyze problem areas that will be used in lobbying community leaders to install more clean-up stations. Heatmaps will help push for data-driven solutions.

 Members of a community will have fun outside spending time with their furry companions while being a part of a climate solution. By crowdsourcing data and locating optimal locations for the installation of clean-up stations, individuals 

Poo Patrol will use GIS and crowdsourcing technologies like the Esri Survey123. The app will be public and accessible. Developing an app using Survey123 functions, participants will engage in a video game-like solution. By earning badges or competing in neighborhood clean-up competitions, users will have fun. Participants will upload photographs of and mark locations of pet waste stations, and undisposed pet waste. The crowdsourced data will be used to create a heatmap of problem areas for undisposed pet waste and analyze the impacts of pet waste found on the ground. By identifying areas with the highest concentration of undisposed pet waste, the data will be used to install pet waste stations in problem areas to reduce the accumulation of waste. Analytic tools in ArcGIS Online like the Create Watershed and Downstream Trace will show where the waste enters our waterways and the flow of excess nutrients into the ocean. 

Poo Patrol currently served roughly 20 club members and teachers at my school. In one year, by partnering with groups like California Waterkeepers, Los Angeles Waterkeepers, Surfrider Foundation, and more, I hope to increase the number of participants to roughly around 70,000.

A limitation of this app would be that it is dependent on community participation for the crowdsourced database. Without active participants, accurate analysis of impacted areas will be disrupted until there is enough data to show a pattern. Right now, the largest barrier would be the lack of community outreach. Hopefully, by partnering with local organizations, Poo Patrol will be able to increase its amount of participants.

Poo Patrol currently partners with CMHS Earth Corps, a club at my school. Students in the club are encouraged to collect data while learning about the harmful effects of pet waste in their communities. Students are also learning about using GIS technologies to analyze data. Students encourage their friends and families to participate in the solution as well.

Poo Patrol provides learning services to pet-owning residents in a community. Through the democratization of scientific knowledge with citizen science, more residents gain access to tools that empower them to learn and contribute to their communities. By crowdsourcing data, residents will work toward making their neighborhoods more clean and sustainable. These products will be provided to them through their participation in the app. Residents will want to use Poo Patrol because it is a fun, engaging way to give back to the community while also being a way to advocate for the implementation of pet waste stations in their neighborhoods. 

Users will be able to support Poo Patrol through in-game accessories. Like other online apps, Poo Patrol will be funded by app advertisements and partnership programs.