Project

Evaluation of a citizen science initiative to prevent the risks of tick-borne diseases and contribute to the conservation of peri-urban parks in Quebec
My research project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of citizen science in preventing tick-borne diseases (TBDs) and conserving ecosystems in peri-urban natural parks near urban areas in Quebec, using a One Health approach. I am conducting this research as part of a large collaborative research project, PARCS en Santé, which brings together more than a dozen researchers from five universities and some twenty partners from various sectors and levels of government. A growing body of scientific evidence shows that these parks offer significant benefits for human health, ecosystem conservation, and climate change adaptation. However, habitat fragmentation, climate change, and deer overpopulation are increasing the risks associated with tick-borne diseases (TBDs) in these parks. In addition to increasing the risk of exposure, high human visitation to peri-urban parks places significant pressure on ecosystems. Furthermore, preventive measures against ticks and the diseases they transmit remain underutilized in Canada despite their effectiveness and awareness campaigns, while park managers face numerous behaviors harmful to ecosystem health (such as off-trail hiking or feeding wildlife). The main objective of my project is to assess the effect of participating in a citizen science initiative in five peri-urban natural parks in Quebec on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to TMMs and ecosystem conservation, as well as to identify the factors influencing participation and its effects. I am using a quasi-experimental design with intervention and control groups, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. In 2025, 305 participants were recruited from the five parks and randomly assigned. The intervention group took part in activities (a series of three workshops in the parks, online tools). KAPs are measured before and after the intervention, and interviews will explore participants’ experiences and the drivers and barriers to change. Initial results show good knowledge of biodiversity but average knowledge of ticks. The presence of ticks affects well-being (concern for 60% of participants, reduced enjoyment for 25%), while only 40% adopt preventive behaviors. The study is still ongoing. This project aims to encourage preventive behaviors while supporting ecosystem conservation, and to demonstrate the potential of citizen science to operationalize the “One Health” approach at the municipal level.

Keywords

science citoyenne, une seule santé, Parcs naturels , Prévention , Conservation

Publications

1- Bridging One Health and Sustainability: The anatomy of a socioethical issue
Boudreau LeBlanc, Antoine, Jérôme Pelletier, Cécile Aenishaenslin, Olivier Beauchet, Manon Boiteux, Michèle Bouchard, Ryoa Chung, Evelyne de Leeuw, Charles Dupras, Xavier Gravend-Tirole, Timothé Poisot, Jean-Philippe Rocheleau, Nicolas Macia, Luc Stafford
2025 BioScience