Learn how to collect biodiversity data and contribute to science at iNaturalist training on August 7
Participatory science – also known as citizen science or community science – involves the public in scientific research, which makes it possible for anyone to contribute to our understanding of wildlife, plants and biodiversity in our communities and across the globe. Green Mountain Conservation Group (GMCG) will host professionals from the UNH Cooperative Extension and Appalachian Mountain Club on August 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. who will lead a hands-on training on how to use iNaturalist. iNaturalist is an online social network of people sharing biodiversity information to help each other learn about nature and contribute to scientific datasets. It is used to record observations of wild living organisms, get help with identifications, collaborate with others to collect information for a common purpose, or access the data collected by other users. iNaturalist apps can be downloaded to Apple and Android devices to make observations and contribute to citizen science projects like the NH Butterfly Monitoring Network, Pollinators Interactions on Plants, community- or property-specific natural resource inventories such as a BioBlitz, high school ecology projects, and much more. Every observation on iNaturalist contributes to biodiversity science, from rare wildlife sightings to spotting common weeds in your backyard.
This workshop will provide an overview of how to use iNaturalist and navigate the app, explore data, find projects that are of interest, and learn tips and tricks for making observations and taking effective photographs. Participants should sign up for an iNaturalist account at
https://www.inaturalist.org/ and download the iNaturalist app to your phone prior to the training. There will be a short introduction followed by a chance to get outside and use iNaturalist in “the field”. There will be a special focus on making observations and taking photos of insects and pollinator/plant interactions in the pollinator garden to practice skills and support research in our region about pollinators and plant-pollinator networks. The workshop will then move back indoors so participants can learn about uploading their field observations and other tasks in iNaturalist.
Workshop presenters will be Haley Andreozzi of UNH Cooperative Extension and Madelyn Wood of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Haley Andreozzi is a wildlife biologist and educator who works to support informed decision-making around wildlife and habitat conservation. In her role as the Wildlife Conservation State Specialist with UNH Cooperative Extension, Haley works with volunteers, landowners, natural resources professionals, and communities to enhance, restore, and conserve wildlife and habitats throughout New Hampshire. She provides technical assistance for outreach, participatory science, and stewardship projects related to New Hampshire’s wildlife species and their habitats, including bats, butterflies, New England cottontail rabbits, and other species of greatest conservation need. Madelyn Wood is the Assistant Researcher at Appalachian Mountain Club, focusing on phenology and community science. Her research looks at how climate change affects the timing of plant life cycles and pollinator populations in the White Mountains. She is dedicated to bridging the gap between researchers and the public, making the scientific process accessible and engaging.
Participants should bring a laptop, smartphone or digital camera, as well as register on the website at inaturalist.org and download the iNaturalist Classic version app in advance. This program is free and open to the public and donations are welcome and appreciated. FMI, contact
ZWR1Y2F0aW9uIHwgZ21jZyAhIG9yZw==. Register at:
https://gmcg.org/event/inaturalist-workshop/
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