This presentation is packed with ideas for how you can connect with nature through participatory scientific research while also maintaining your social distance. We’ll hear from Alison Young with California Academy of Sciences about iNaturalist, a free platform to record and share photographs and observations of plants and animals while contributing to a global dataset on biodiversity. She’ll also share what’s in store for the 2021 international City Nature Challenge (April 30-May 3), a global bioblitz of nature in and around urban areas that utilizes iNaturalist to record where species are found.
Lisette Arellano with Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and Suzanne Whelan with Marin Water will discuss how volunteers can support the conservation of vulnerable freshwater animals found on Mt. Tam and how anyone can build a community science project around special status animals that live in their watershed. They will also share the many benefits from the agency side of involving the community in scientific exploration.
Reid Bogert with Surfrider Foundation- San Mateo reminds us that beach cleanups are a great way to get outside, find connection to place, and give back to the community and environment. The Surfrider Foundation collects cleanup data to track waste trends, contributing to research and helping influence legislation. Find out how you can get involved with beach cleanups, either safely with a group or on a solo.