Rissa Citizen Science

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Hei! I'm RISSA, the endangered kittiwake.
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Join the growing community of nature advocates in Northern Norway

RISSA Citizen Science

Participate in hands-on projects

Together, we protect endangered species, restore fragile habitats, and raise awareness and empathy for nature.

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Snowshoe in the forest for the Tromsø tits project

Goal: Understand the effect of artificial light on birds in the Arctic.

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Map campfires in northern lights viewing spots near Tromsø

Goal: Stand up for traceless fire practices in nature around Tromsø.

Rissa Citizen Science_Owls project

Manage a network of owl nestboxes near Tromsø

Goal: Provide nesting sites to owls and contribute to a regional long-term monitoring.

Survey an endangered species in Tromsø city center

Goal: Encourage coexistence with the endangered kittiwake [Rissa] in Tromsø.

Map cairns and trails above Tromsø cable-car

Goal: Promote leave-no-trace behaviors in nature, starting with an iconic mountain in Tromsø.

Restore nature & map wildlife in Ånderdalen National Park, Senja

Goal: Support Ånderdalen National Park's conservation efforts.

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Join and meet volunteers at upcoming events

Sign up for events

Thu, 16 Jan
Snowshoe with a mission on Tromsø island
Event Full

16 Jan 2025, 10:00 – 14:00
Tromsø, Conrad Holmboes veg 89, 9011 Tromsø, Norway
Rissa is welcoming a small group of citizen scientists on snowshoes. Together, we'll put up or check nestboxes, with one purpose: to help our research partner better understand the effect of artificial light on birds.
Wed, 29 Jan
Snowshoe with a mission on Tromsø island
Event Full

29 Jan 2025, 10:00 – 14:00
Tromsø, Conrad Holmboes veg 89, 9011 Tromsø, Norway
Rissa is welcoming a small group of citizen scientists on snowshoes. Together, we'll put up or check nestboxes, with one purpose: to help our research partner better understand the effect of artificial light on birds.
Fri, 31 Jan
Kittiwake seminar in Tromsø: coexisting with the highly endangered kittiwake.

31 Jan 2025, 16:00 – 17:00
Tromsø, Norway
Kittiwakes are soon returning to Tromsø after overwintering at sea. Join this event and connect with the local network of passionate kittiwake advocates, learn about what has been done since 2022, what is coming and how you can contribute.

Sign up for events

News & Stories

Lawrence Malstaff: artist and kittiwake advocate in Tromsø.

Kittiwalkers. 2024, Episode 3: Saving kittiwake chicks

A mobile app for Rissa and the Kittiwalkers

Antoine Tribotté's film "Kittiwakes: a symbol of coexistence".

🪽
NEW ARTICLE on Rissa’s website:
Meet Lawrence Malstaff, one of Rissa’s advisors. He is a globally celebrated artist and the designer of the next generation of kittiwake hotels in Tromsø.

🔗 Link in bio 🔗

🙏 We are grateful to @sparebankstiftelsensnn for supporting Rissa’s efforts to promote coexistence with kittiwakes in Tromsø.

@ninaforskning is Rissa’s research partner for this kittiwake project.

#coexistence #kittiwake #citizenscience #birdlife #tromsø #tromso #naturvern #fuglevern

🪽
NEW ARTICLE on Rissa’s website:
Meet Lawrence Malstaff, one of Rissa’s advisors. He is a globally celebrated artist and the designer of the next generation of kittiwake hotels in Tromsø.

🔗 Link in bio 🔗

🙏 We are grateful to @sparebankstiftelsensnn for supporting Rissa’s efforts to promote coexistence with kittiwakes in Tromsø.

@ninaforskning is Rissa’s research partner for this kittiwake project.

#coexistence #kittiwake #citizenscience #birdlife #tromsø #tromso #naturvern #fuglevern

🐥
NEW ARTICLE on Rissa’s website:
What have the Kittiwalkers done in 2024 to save kittiwakes chicks?
Read about it on Rissa’s website/News & Stories
🔗 Link in bio 🔗

🙏 @sparebankstiftelsensnn is supporting Rissa’s efforts to encourage coexistence in Tromsø with this highly endangered species. ❤️

@ninaforskning is Rissa’s research partner for this kittiwake project.

#citizenscience #kittiwakes #naturvern #fuglevern #tromsø #tromsøkommune #natureconservation #birdlife

🐥
NEW ARTICLE on Rissa’s website:
What have the Kittiwalkers done in 2024 to save kittiwakes chicks?
Read about it on Rissa’s website/News & Stories
🔗 Link in bio 🔗

🙏 @sparebankstiftelsensnn is supporting Rissa’s efforts to encourage coexistence in Tromsø with this highly endangered species. ❤️

@ninaforskning is Rissa’s research partner for this kittiwake project.

#citizenscience #kittiwakes #naturvern #fuglevern #tromsø #tromsøkommune #natureconservation #birdlife

📲
We are thrilled to introduce you to Philip Redecker, the computer scientist and nature lover who is going to develop a mobile app for the Kittiwalkers.
The app will greatly facilitate the work of the volunteers mapping kittiwake nests in Tromsø.

Read the interview with Philip on Rissa’s website/News & Stories.

🙏🤗 @sparebankstiftelsensnn is making this project possible ❤️

#citizenscience #tromsøkommune #communityengagement #kittiwake #tromsø #fuglevern

📲
We are thrilled to introduce you to Philip Redecker, the computer scientist and nature lover who is going to develop a mobile app for the Kittiwalkers.
The app will greatly facilitate the work of the volunteers mapping kittiwake nests in Tromsø.

Read the interview with Philip on Rissa’s website/News & Stories.

🙏🤗 @sparebankstiftelsensnn is making this project possible ❤️

#citizenscience #tromsøkommune #communityengagement #kittiwake #tromsø #fuglevern

🎥🎞️
Part 1:
Watch Antoine Tribotté’s mini-documentary about kittiwakes in Tromsø.
Full documentary on Rissa’s website (in NEWS & STORIES) and on Antoine Tribotté’s website.

#citizenscience #tromsøkommune #communityengagement #tromsø #kittiwake

🎥🎞️
Part 1:
Watch Antoine Tribotté’s mini-documentary about kittiwakes in Tromsø.
Full documentary on Rissa’s website (in NEWS & STORIES) and on Antoine Tribotté’s website.

#citizenscience #tromsøkommune #communityengagement #tromsø #kittiwake

🎥🎞️
Part 2:
Watch Antoine Tribotté’s mini-documentary about kittiwakes in Tromsø.
Full documentary on Rissa’s website (in NEWS & STORIES) and on Antoine Tribotté’s website.

#citizenscience #tromsøkommune #communityengagement #tromsø #kittiwake

🎥🎞️
Part 2:
Watch Antoine Tribotté’s mini-documentary about kittiwakes in Tromsø.
Full documentary on Rissa’s website (in NEWS & STORIES) and on Antoine Tribotté’s website.

#citizenscience #tromsøkommune #communityengagement #tromsø #kittiwake

🎥🎞️
Part 3:
Watch Antoine Tribotté’s mini-documentary about kittiwakes in Tromsø.
Full documentary on Rissa’s website (in NEWS & STORIES) and on Antoine Tribotté’s website.

#citizenscience #tromsøkommune #communityengagement #tromsø #kittiwake

🎥🎞️
Part 3:
Watch Antoine Tribotté’s mini-documentary about kittiwakes in Tromsø.
Full documentary on Rissa’s website (in NEWS & STORIES) and on Antoine Tribotté’s website.

#citizenscience #tromsøkommune #communityengagement #tromsø #kittiwake

NEW ARTICLE on Rissa’s website:
How the Kittiwalkers and others, including the Tromsø fire brigade @tromsobrannogredning, have rescued kittiwakes in trouble in 2024.
👉 Link in bio.

@fint.tromso facilitated the latest Kittiwalkers gathering, where we updated each other about past accomplishments and strategized the future actions. If you haven’t been to Fint café & bar, we strongly recommend it. They have an epic jam session every Sunday evening 🎸🎶🎺🎹🎷🍻🥂🍷

The Kittiwalkers is a grassroots movement led by Rissa Citizen Science and run by volunteers who believe that coexisting with kittiwakes in Tromsø is possible.

#kittiwake #citizenscience #coexistence #tromsøkommune #tromsokommune #tromsø #tromso #birdlifenorge #naturogungdom

NEW ARTICLE on Rissa’s website:
How the Kittiwalkers and others, including the Tromsø fire brigade @tromsobrannogredning, have rescued kittiwakes in trouble in 2024.
👉 Link in bio.

@fint.tromso facilitated the latest Kittiwalkers gathering, where we updated each other about past accomplishments and strategized the future actions. If you haven’t been to Fint café & bar, we strongly recommend it. They have an epic jam session every Sunday evening 🎸🎶🎺🎹🎷🍻🥂🍷

The Kittiwalkers is a grassroots movement led by Rissa Citizen Science and run by volunteers who believe that coexisting with kittiwakes in Tromsø is possible.

#kittiwake #citizenscience #coexistence #tromsøkommune #tromsokommune #tromsø #tromso #birdlifenorge #naturogungdom

☠️☠️☠️
The Kittiwalkers started mapping the spikes that are likely to injure or kill kittiwakes during the next nesting season.

We have until February to have these spikes removed and replaced with more effective, harmless, bird deterrents.

👉 Read the full story on Rissa’s website (link in bio)

#citizenscience #kittiwakes #coexistence #tromsøkommune #fullsteamtromso

☠️☠️☠️
The Kittiwalkers started mapping the spikes that are likely to injure or kill kittiwakes during the next nesting season.

We have until February to have these spikes removed and replaced with more effective, harmless, bird deterrents.

👉 Read the full story on Rissa’s website (link in bio)

#citizenscience #kittiwakes #coexistence #tromsøkommune #fullsteamtromso

🛎️ New story on Rissa’s website!

The Kittiwalkers is a grassroots movement led by Rissa Citizen Science and run by volunteers who believe that coexisting with the endangered kittiwake in Tromsø is possible.

The Kittiwalkers are citizen scientists, sentinels and whistleblowers. What have they done as citizen scientists in 2024?

👉 Check the latest story on Rissa’s website (link in bio).

☕️🎶🍻
@fint.tromso facilitated the last Kittiwalkers meeting. If you haven’t been, we strongly recommend the place. Amazing atmosphere, and the most popular jam evening in Tromsø (Sundays).

#citizenscience #kittiwake #tromsø #communityengagement #tromso #tromsøkommune #coexistence #wildlifeincity

🛎️ New story on Rissa’s website!

The Kittiwalkers is a grassroots movement led by Rissa Citizen Science and run by volunteers who believe that coexisting with the endangered kittiwake in Tromsø is possible.

The Kittiwalkers are citizen scientists, sentinels and whistleblowers. What have they done as citizen scientists in 2024?

👉 Check the latest story on Rissa’s website (link in bio).

☕️🎶🍻
@fint.tromso facilitated the last Kittiwalkers meeting. If you haven’t been, we strongly recommend the place. Amazing atmosphere, and the most popular jam evening in Tromsø (Sundays).

#citizenscience #kittiwake #tromsø #communityengagement #tromso #tromsøkommune #coexistence #wildlifeincity

🦉
This owl survey includes over 500 nestboxes in Troms county. The first nestbox was put up in 1978!

In Norway, forests are logged before they can get old. As a result, old trees with cavities are extremely rare.

These nestboxes compensate for the lack of natural cavities, and they help study the movements and conservation status of owls (Tengmalm, pigmy and hawk owls).

Join the next field survey, sign up on Rissa’s website/events. Become a member and access more events!

#citizenscience #communityengagement #owl #owls #tromsø #tromso #naturvern #natureconservation

🦉
This owl survey includes over 500 nestboxes in Troms county. The first nestbox was put up in 1978!

In Norway, forests are logged before they can get old. As a result, old trees with cavities are extremely rare.

These nestboxes compensate for the lack of natural cavities, and they help study the movements and conservation status of owls (Tengmalm, pigmy and hawk owls).

Join the next field survey, sign up on Rissa’s website/events. Become a member and access more events!

#citizenscience #communityengagement #owl #owls #tromsø #tromso #naturvern #natureconservation

☠️ Spikes kill kittiwakes every year in Tromsø ☠️
Let’s get rid of the spikes.

Building owners spend a lot of money to install these spikes. But they are ineffective, they injure and kill kittiwakes, and bring negative publicity to the building owners.

By removing spikes, we will save a few kittiwake lives next summer.
When a species is in high danger of extinction, every individual matters.

We will meet at Søndre Tollbodgate 3 at 16:30 and map the spikes that are a threat to kittiwakes. One hour max!

‼️Please RSVP on Rissa’s website/Events‼️

#citizenscience #coexistence #wildlifeincity #tromsøkommune #tromso #tromsø #communityengagement #fullsteamtromso

☠️ Spikes kill kittiwakes every year in Tromsø ☠️
Let’s get rid of the spikes.

Building owners spend a lot of money to install these spikes. But they are ineffective, they injure and kill kittiwakes, and bring negative publicity to the building owners.

By removing spikes, we will save a few kittiwake lives next summer.
When a species is in high danger of extinction, every individual matters.

We will meet at Søndre Tollbodgate 3 at 16:30 and map the spikes that are a threat to kittiwakes. One hour max!

‼️Please RSVP on Rissa�’s website/Events‼️

#citizenscience #coexistence #wildlifeincity #tromsøkommune #tromso #tromsø #communityengagement #fullsteamtromso

This building hosts one of the largest kittiwake colonies in Tromsø (over a hundred pairs). But it will soon be torn down.

With support from the building owner, we are collecting the nests and will add them on the “kittiwake hotel” that will be put up nearby as a compensatory measure.

We hope some of the dislodged kittiwakes will adopt this alternative nesting site.

The black-legged kittiwake is highly endangered (EN) on Norway’s Red List. It seeks refuge in Tromsø during the nesting season. But wild nature is not always welcome in urban spaces…

👉 Read the full story on Rissa’s website (link in bio)

#citizenscience #coexistence #communityengagement #tromsø #tromso #tromsøkommune #wildlifeincity

This building hosts one of the largest kittiwake colonies in Tromsø (over a hundred pairs). But it will soon be torn down.

With support from the building owner, we are collecting the nests and will add them on the “kittiwake hotel” that will be put up nearby as a compensatory measure.

We hope some of the dislodged kittiwakes will adopt this alternative nesting site.

The black-legged kittiwake is highly endangered (EN) on Norway’s Red List. It seeks refuge in Tromsø during the nesting season. But wild nature is not always welcome in urban spaces…

👉 Read the full story on Rissa’s website (link in bio)

#citizenscience #coexistence #communityengagement #tromsø #tromso #tromsøkommune #wildlifeincity

Join this free event in café @fint.tromso Monday 25/11, 17:00-18:00.

🪽 Meet the Kittiwalkers, learn about what they’ve done in 2024, hear about the current situation with kittiwakes in Tromsø.

Kittiwakes will be back in Feb/March. Meanwhile we can help make Tromsø more hospitable to them. How? That’s what we’ll discuss together ✊

The black-legged kittiwake is highly endangered on Norway’s Red List.

‼️The event is free but please RSVP on Rissa’s website/Events‼️

#citizenscience #coexistence #wildlifeincity #tromsøkommune #tromso #tromsø #communityengagement #kunstforening

Join this free event in café @fint.tromso Monday 25/11, 17:00-18:00.

🪽 Meet the Kittiwalkers, learn about what they’ve done in 2024, hear about the current situation with kittiwakes in Tromsø.

Kittiwakes will be back in Feb/March. Meanwhile we can help make Tromsø more hospitable to them. How? That’s what we’ll discuss together ✊

The black-legged kittiwake is highly endangered on Norway’s Red List.

‼️The event is free but please RSVP on Rissa’s website/Events‼️

#citizenscience #coexistence #wildlifeincity #tromsøkommune #tromso #tromsø #communityengagement #kunstforening

🙏 Many thanks to the volunteers who joined the nestbox event in Radioskogen.

We put up 7 more nestboxes, adding the total of nestboxes in the area to 13.

Radioskogen is one of the last patches of forest on the southern part of Tromsøya. An oasis of nature coveted by developers and threatened by urbanization.

Radioskogen is now part of a citizen science initiative supporting a research project led by Rissa’s partner at the Arctic University of Norway.

👉 more info about the project on Rissa’s website/News & Stories 👈

#rissa-cs #citizenscience #coexistence #saveforests #communityengagement #tromsøkommune #tromsø #tromso #wildlifeincity

🙏 Many thanks to the volunteers who joined the nestbox event in Radioskogen.

We put up 7 more nestboxes, adding the total of nestboxes in the area to 13.

Radioskogen is one of the last patches of forest on the southern part of Tromsøya. An oasis of nature coveted by developers and threatened by urbanization.

Radioskogen is now part of a citizen science initiative supporting a research project led by Rissa’s partner at the Arctic University of Norway.

👉 more info about the project on Rissa’s website/News & Stories 👈

#rissa-cs #citizenscience #coexistence #saveforests #communityengagement #tromsøkommune #tromsø #tromso #wildlifeincity

The forest surrounding Radioskogen is one of the last remaining green havens on Tromsøya. Yet, developers are pushing to replace it with asphalt and apartment buildings. But the local community is standing strong, trying to preserve this precious patch of nature in the city.

Together with local children and their families, we’ll be installing a dozen nestboxes in the trees, just as we did last year. These nestboxes will become part of a research project with our partner at the Arctic University of Norway (UiT), examining how light pollution is affecting songbirds in the Arctic.

#tromsøkommune #radioskogen #citizenscience #naturvern #communityengagement #saveforest #saveforests

The forest surrounding Radioskogen is one of the last remaining green havens on Tromsøya. Yet, developers are pushing to replace it with asphalt and apartment buildings. But the local community is standing strong, trying to preserve this precious patch of nature in the city.

Together with local children and their families, we’ll be installing a dozen nestboxes in the trees, just as we did last year. These nestboxes will become part of a research project with our partner at the Arctic University of Norway (UiT), examining how light pollution is affecting songbirds in the Arctic.

#tromsøkommune #radioskogen #citizenscience #naturvern #communityengagement #saveforest #saveforests

Like Tromsø, Newcastle, UK, is used as a refuge by kittiwakes. They have been nesting in the city along the River Tyne since the late 1940s.

Professor Helen F. Wilson gave us a tour of the main colonies. At this time of year (winter), kittiwakes are no longer there but we wanted to see the sites, and learn from Professor Wilson who has been advocating for coexisting with kittiwakes for decades.

The “Tyne Kittiwakes Partnership” is an inspiring example for us in Tromsø, as we are also looking for solutions to share our urban spaces with this highly endangered species.

Check also @kittiwakesuponthetyne : they help to protect and raise awareness for the kittiwakes along the River Tyne. And of course @urbanekrykkjer in Tromsø.

#rissa-cs #kittiwakes #birdconservation #newcastle #coexistence #wildlifeinthecity #endangeredspecies #savebiodiversity #krykkje

Like Tromsø, Newcastle, UK, is used as a refuge by kittiwakes. They have been nesting in the city along the River Tyne since the late 1940s.

Professor Helen F. Wilson gave us a tour of the main colonies. At this time of year (winter), kittiwakes are no longer there but we wanted to see the sites, and learn from Professor Wilson who has been advocating for coexisting with kittiwakes for decades.

The “Tyne Kittiwakes Partnership” is an inspiring example for us in Tromsø, as we are also looking for solutions to share our urban spaces with this highly endangered species.

Check also @kittiwakesuponthetyne : they help to protect and raise awareness for the kittiwakes along the River Tyne. And of course @urbanekrykkjer in Tromsø.

#rissa-cs #kittiwakes #birdconservation #newcastle #coexistence #wildlifeinthecity #endangeredspecies #savebiodiversity #krykkje

RISSA tridactyla is the scientific name of the black-legged kittiwake. A species of bird that is highly endangered in Norway.

We chose the name “Rissa” because of our early efforts to survey and rescue kittiwakes in Tromsø.

But it is not the only reason…
👉 check the link in the bio to know more 👈

#rissa-cs #kittiwake #coexistence #citizenscience #natureconservation #biodiversity #actfornature #communityengagement #tromso #tromsø #birdconservation

RISSA tridactyla is the scientific name of the black-legged kittiwake. A species of bird that is highly endangered in Norway.

We chose the name “Rissa” because of our early efforts to survey and rescue kittiwakes in Tromsø.

But it is not the only reason…
👉 check the link in the bio to know more 👈

#rissa-cs #kittiwake #coexistence #citizenscience #natureconservation #biodiversity #actfornature #communityengagement #tromso #tromsø #birdconservation

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Follow Rissa on Instagram

@rissa_citizen_science

Our partners & supporters

Rissa Citizen Science is collaborating with Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor ethics

Rissa Citizen Science collaborates with the Center for European Volunteering.

Rissa Citizen Science collaborates with the Universita di Pisa on the urban kittiwake project in Tormsø

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