iNaturalist – Drop in tech support for 2019 City Nature Challenge

This drop-in technology clinic is for community members who wish to take part in the 2019 City Nature Challenge, a world wide citizen science initiative identifying native plants. One-to-One help will be available to support the download and use of the iNaturalist app.

The City Nature Challenge is an international effort for people to find and document plants and wildlife in cities across the globe. It’s a bioblitz-style competition where cities are in a contest against each other to see who can make the most observations of nature, who can find the most species, and who can engage the most people.

Where?

Cities around the world will be competing to see who can make the most observations of nature, find the most species, and engage the most people in the 2019 City Nature Challenge. 9 Maine counties will go toe-to-toe with some of the world’s biggest cities in a biodiversity celebration and competition!

Why?

There is nature all around us, even in our cities! Knowing what species are in our city and where they are helps us study and protect them, but the ONLY way to do that is by all of us – scientists, land managers, and the community – working together to find and document the nature in our area. By participating in the City Nature Challenge, not only do you learn more about your local nature, but you can also make your city a better place – for you and other species!

Who?  

Anyone with a smartphone or tablet can participate in this challenge via the iNaturalist app! 

When?

Observations can be uploaded to Maine’s 2019 CNC iNaturalist page April 26-30. Identification of photographed species will be crowdsourced through the online community April 30 – May 5 and results will be announced on May 6.

How?  

Create your own iNaturalist account:

• Visit iNaturalist.org 
• Download the app from the AppStore or Google Play 
• Sign In.
• Find wildlife. It can be any wild plant, animal, fungi, slime mold, or any other evidence of life (scat, fur, tracks, shells, carcasses!) found in your participating city.
• Take pictures of what you find using iNaturalist.
• Get feedback from actual scientists, experts, and other naturalists.
• Learn more as your observations get identified!

If you need assistance downloading the app and creating an account be sure to stop by one of our iNaturalist – drop in tech support for City Nature Challenge:
Friday 4/19 3-5pm in Meeting Room 1, lower level of the Main Branch
Tuesday 4/23 10-11:30am in Meeting Room 1, lower level of the Main Branch

PPL staff encourages community members to participate in this fun, active, citizen science initiative. This Bioblitz-style competition isn’t taking place in the library or with library staff, but outside on your own time! Be sure to check out Portland Trails’ digital map if you’re looking for new places to explore in Portland!