CANTON — Amateur field biologists can play a vital role in environmental and conservation efforts.

The concept of "citizen science" will be a theme at the state's annual Conference on the Environment, being held Friday to Oct. 19 at St. Lawrence University. The event, hosted by the St. Lawrence County Environmental Management Council, will bring together as many as 100 scientists and state environmental leaders to discuss climate control, invasive species and other issues.

It will include field trips to the Stone Valley Recreation trail and St. Lawrence River power dams, workshops and guest speakers, including Alexander B. "Pete" Grannis, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Environmental management councils and conservation boards and commissions advise county and state governments on things such as air and water quality and land use. The county EMC picked citizen science as a way to encourage their counterparts to get the public involved.

"You get people started on this and they get a greater appreciation for the environment," said Jon R. Montan, a county planner who serves the EMC. "It's kind of an emerging thing."

Examples include the state's Atlas of Breeding Birds, a guide that biologists and land managers use in conservation efforts. The atlas relies on amateur bird-watchers to provide data.

"If you hired professionals to do that work, it'd cost a lot of money and have tremendous logistical problems," Mr. Montan said. "If you get enough people looking, you can generate some very useful information even though it's not done by certified scientists."

Speakers from area universities and colleges will host workshops on issues such as climate change and biofuels. Representatives of groups including Save the River and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County will lead sessions on invasive species.

The event is open to the public, but registration is required. The deadline is Tuesday. Anyone interested in more information and registering can contact the St. Lawrence County Planning Office at 379-2292 or planning@stlawco.org.