This graphic shows the design of signs that will be placed at 10 recreation sites
in Albany County, allowing people to take photos with their cellphones to assess air
quality. The signs are part of a federally funded project involving UW students and
researchers to develop a smartphone app for crowdsourcing information about air quality
at outdoor recreation sites during wildfires. (Kayla Clark Graphic)
An interdisciplinary team of University of Wyoming students and researchers has won
funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a platform for crowdsourcing
information about air quality at outdoor recreation sites during wildfires.
The project, “Recreator Crowdsourcing of Particle Levels During Wildfires,” will pair
a smartphone app with signs at notable backcountry recreation sites. Users who visit
the sites will encounter a “cellphone tray” where they can position their phones to
take a photo. The app will compare the photo to one taken on a clear day and -- based
on the appearance of known landmarks at varying distances -- will assess air quality.
It then will communicate real-time air quality information back to recreators so they
can make informed decisions to balance the trade-off of engaging in healthy outdoor
activities with exposing themselves to dangerous air quality.
The app also lets users track the recreation sites they have visited and earn awards
from local outdoor businesses.
“This is a very interdisciplinary project that brings together expertise in science
communication, environmental economics, human ecology, chemical engineering and other
fields,” says Kayla Clark, an assistant lecturer of graphic design at UW and the project
leader. “I think what’s neat about this is how it relies on a relatively low-tech
process to produce air quality data, even at remote backcountry sites. This tool can
directly benefit outdoor recreators as we face more wildfires.”
The project team includes graduate and undergraduate students, all in UW’s Haub School
of Environment and Natural Resources, along with Clark; Corrie Knapp, an associate
professor of environment and society; Nino Abashidze, a postdoctoral research associate;
and Shane Murphy, an associate professor of atmospheric science and director of the
School of Energy Resources’ Center for Air Quality.
The participating students, listed by hometown, are:
Alexandria, Va. -- Veronika Baird.
Arvada, Colo. -- Kaden Madsen.
Austin, Texas -- Joshua Kenney.
Belmar, N.J. -- Emalie Lasko.
Beulah -- Myles Stefanich.
Blue Springs, Mo. -- Abigail Graham.
Casper -- Colter Helm.
Cody -- Michael Caudle.
Greeley, Colo. -- Cady Wood.
Lander -- Shayla Babits.
Riverton -- Katie Fisher.
Rock Springs -- Alyssa Smith.
Saginaw, Mich. -- Giovonni Mazzola-Colbert.
Sheridan -- Logan Ludwig.
Topeka, Kan. -- Annalee Galley.
Williamstown, Mass. -- Conor Harrison.
Phase 1 of the project begins this month and goes through July 2024, with a focus
on 10 outdoor recreation sites in Albany County. Research and prototyping will begin
during a class led by Clark at UW this semester. The students will present their findings
to the EPA in Washington, D.C., at the end of this phase.
The project team plans to expand to additional public lands across Wyoming and even
nationally.
EPA’s P3 Program incentivizes teams of college students to benefit people, promote
prosperity and protect the planet by designing environmental solutions that move toward
a sustainable future. This is the first P3 award UW has received in over a decade.
The Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources offers students the skills, tools
and experiences to take on environment and natural resource challenges.
For more information, email Clark at kayla.clark@uwyo.edu.
