How to identify plants on iNaturalist
Are you thinking about supporting the City Nature Challenge? Here’s a super easy-to-follow-video to learn how.
No need to say more–just watch.
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Lead 2019 City Nature Challenge for FMN
Excited about Citizen Science and using iNaturalist to record your observations?
You can lead FMN’s participation in the 2019 City Nature Challenge!
What’s involved? You decide. Here are some suggestions.
- Join the monthly City Nature Challenge coordination phone calls:
| When | Wed Jan 23, 2019 2pm – 3pm Eastern Time – New York |
| Where | 605-472-5436, access code 908439# |
- Set up opportunities for FMN to participate
- Chapter hike on using iNaturalist to take good pics for ID (The Nature Conservancy will lead)
- Public info programs on City Nature Challenge & using iNaturalist (Fairfax libraries will sponsor)
- Observation events on City Nature Challenge weekend (Fairfax County parks will sponsor)
- Identification parties post CNC weekend (Fairfax libraries will sponsor)
- Join with ARMN-sponsored events
- Earn service hours working from home
- Recruit FMNs to help as needed
Sound like fun? Contact Marilyn Schroeder: [email protected]
City Nature Challenge–Save the dates, 26-29 April 2019
Citizen scientists throughout the Washington DC metro area will be participating in the 2019 City Nature Challenge, a competition among 130 cities around the world to find and document the diversity of species. No experience required—just a mobile device and a love for nature. Participants will make observations of wild plants and animals using the free iNaturalist app (for Android or Apple).
Why get involved? By participating, you’ll not only get out and see some great urban nature, you’ll help scientists collect data on the biodiversity of our region (and the planet).
See the results from the 2018 City Nature Challenge.
Coming Soon: The City Nature Challenge! 27-30 April
Citizen scientists throughout the Washington DC metro area will be participating in the 2018 City Nature Challenge, a competition among 60 cities around the world to find and document the diversity of species. No experience required—just a mobile device and a love for nature. Participants will make observations of wild plants and animals using the free iNaturalist app (for Android or Apple).
Why get involved? By participating, you’ll not only get out and see some great urban nature, you’ll help scientists collect data on the biodiversity of our region (and the planet). City Nature Challenge contributors are invited to join the species ID event at the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum on Monday, 30.
To sign up for an event, create an event, and learn more, click here.
To download the flyer, click here.
Explore, Learn, and Record with iNaturalist
Reviewed by Ana Ka’Ahanui
As naturalists, we have many tools out there to help us record, learn and share information about the nature we love. One of my favorite tools is a free app called iNaturalist, aka iNat, available for iPhone and Android. Easy to navigate and with a simple interface, the app makes recording my nature observations on hikes and other outings fast and painless. After snapping a few photos and entering some basic information, I can share my findings on iNaturalist and its community of over 575,000 users worldwide.
You don’t have to be an expert to use it because one of iNat’s nifty features is crowdsourcing identifications. Not sure of that bird you just posted about? No problem! iNat bird lovers and ornithologists can see your post and help you out by suggesting an ID. The more people that validate your finding, “Yes, that’s an Eastern Bluebird!,” the faster your observation becomes “research grade.” So why not become a citizen scientist and share info about the kinds of critters you love? Your findings can be added to almost 7.7 million observations and over 140,000 observed species. Not only will you be contributing to science, you’ll be helping to map out our region’s biodiversity.
While I enjoy using iNat to keep track of my personal observations, I also love using it for local bioblitzes and events such as the City Nature Challenge, a friendly annual contest among cities to record the most nature over a 4-day period. I encourage you to download the app and practice making observations before the next City Nature Challenge, which runs from Friday, 27 April through Monday, 30 April. The national capital area is competing against over 60 other cities around the country and the world to make the most observations, identify the most species, and recruit the most volunteers. With your help, we can put the DC metro area, including 15 counties in Northern Virginia, at the top of the leader board!