In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to use iNaturalist, a free, user-friendly app and online platform that allows everyday nature enthusiasts to photograph, identify, and record plants and animals. These observations become part of a global scientific database used by researchers, conservationists, and communities around the world.
You’ll learn how to properly document and upload sightings to support Groton’s Biodiversity Project, helping build a clearer picture of the plants, wildlife, and ecosystems in our own backyard. Dr. Black will explain how this locally collected data contributes to larger scientific efforts, including biodiversity research and climate change studies.
At the end of the summer, Dr. Black will compile and compare this year’s observations with data from previous years, allowing us to track changes and better understand trends in our local environment.
Spring is the perfect time of year to get started! Anyone can participate. Pick up the phone, go for a walk, observe nature, and record.
Participants are asked to download the iNaturalist app and create an account on their mobile device prior to attending the workshop.
David Black has been teaching ecology and environmental science at Groton School since 1989. He served as a trustee of the Groton Conservation Trust from 2002 until 2021 and remains active in environmental issues in the community. His primary interests lie in the fields of conservation biology and land use management and planning.
David Black
