Citizen science isn’t only for the bird-brained, however. Countless projects are taking place right now: Monarch Watch for monarch butterflies, Bee Atlas for our native pollinators and even Project Squirrel! For a complete database of opportunities, visit usa.gov/citizenscience.
Some of you may have already participated without knowing it. The popular app iNaturalist is a powerful tool to help people identify species around them. With this app, you can point your camera at a wildflower, tree, insect or just about anything else, and as if by magic, the app will tell you what it is (most of the time). Like a factory worker watching robots take their job, I can’t help but feel scared that this digital nature detective is so effective!
What you may not realize, however, is that as you record the world around you, it produces one of the most powerful snapshots of world biodiversity we’ve ever known. It happens in real time, and it happens through tens of millions of people simply using this useful tool.
This winter, think about gifting the planet with your time. Count birds, watch the squirrels in your backyard or snap a few photos with iNaturalist. Together, and in our own small way, we can make the planet better for all living things this year.
I’ll be there with you — look for me to be tipped over with skis in the air.
Alex Holmes is the assistant manager for the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center. Alex has a passion for outdoor education and can be found fishing and floating Missouri’s beautiful streams and swamps when not at work.