Join the CRD’s iNaturalist Biodiversity Challenge May 21-24!
The capital region lies in one of Canada’s biodiversity hotspots, bursting with an incredible diversity of plants and wildlife. Nestled among our neighbourhoods and workplaces are salmon-bearing streams, Garry oak meadows, vibrant wetlands and dynamic shorelines. In our backyards and local parks we can find pollinating insects, migrating birds, native wildflowers, and towering trees. This incredible abundance of life, or biodiversity, supports clean air and water, food security, recreational and cultural opportunities, and is key to the high quality of life we enjoy in the capital region.
Join the CRD in celebrating local species and ecosystems by participating in the 2021 iNaturalist Biodiversity Challenge, in honor of the International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22). Over a four day period, May 21 through 24, photograph and document local biodiversity in the CRD using the free iNaturalist Canada website or app, and help to build a record of the nature that surrounds us.
Participating in the CRD’s iNaturalist Biodiversity Challenge is simple:
1. Find nature in your backyard, neighbourhood, favourite park or beach between May 21-24. Observations of wild native plants, animals, fungi, insects, tracks, or even scat are all welcome, as long as they are found within the capital region.
2. Use a digital camera or smart phone to capture your sightings.
3. Create a free iNaturalist account and upload your observations and photos.
4. Identify your findings as best you can and have people from the iNaturalist community help confirm your identifications.
5. Search iNaturalist for the CRD’s Biodiversity Challenge project page to see live updates of what other participants are finding. Join the project to have the chance to win some fun prizes and get updates: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/2021-crd-biodiversity-challenge
iNaturalist is a free app that is designed for use by nature newcomers as well as more seasoned naturalists. By uploading photos of local biodiversity to iNaturalist between May 21 and 24 you will join a large community of local nature lovers who are helping to inventory and celebrate the capital region’s amazing flora and fauna. Observing and learning about the natural world that surrounds us can boost mental health and wellbeing, and is a key step in conserving nature for future generations.
Visit www.crd.bc.ca/biodiversity for more information on biodiversity in the CRD and the iNaturalist challenge, including details about prizes and iNaturalist resources that will help you get started.