{"id":12358,"date":"2019-02-20T13:03:36","date_gmt":"2019-02-20T18:03:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=12358"},"modified":"2019-02-20T13:03:37","modified_gmt":"2019-02-20T18:03:37","slug":"crowdsourcing-nature-sightings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/crowdsourcing-nature-sightings\/","title":{"rendered":"Crowdsourcing Nature Sightings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you ever asked a friend for the ID of a plant or animal you didn\u2019t recognize? Are you the friend who gets asked? Do you ever snap a photo of something you don\u2019t recognize to research later, but you never get to it? Do you have hundreds of pictures on your phone or computer of plants and animals that you wish could be of use to someone? If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider joining iNaturalist<\/a>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is iNaturalist?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

iNaturalist is an online platform designed to connect people like\nyou to an entire community of nature enthusiasts). Here, users share sightings\nof plants, fungi, and animals and in return get identifications on what\u2019s in\ntheir images (or audio files). ID\u2019s are consensus-based. This means other users\ncan see your observations, and either agree or disagree with your\nidentifications based on their own knowledge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An observation becomes \u201cresearch grade\u201d when the majority of\nidentifiers reach a species-level consensus about the plant, animal, or fungi\nin your picture. If you think your photo of an insect in your yard isn\u2019t\nimportant enough to post, think again! All research grade observations on\niNaturalist get added to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, and can\nthen be used in scientific research and publications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Use iNaturalist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the best parts about iNaturalist is that everyone can use it–you don\u2019t need to be a scientist or a professional naturalist. All you need is a computer or smartphone and an interest in the natural world around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To get started, create a free account at iNaturalist.org<\/a> or via the smartphone app. Then, upload identifiable pictures or audio with a location and a date and give it your best ID (if you have no clue, the platform will often suggest what it thinks is in your photo). Within minutes or hours, other users will see your observation and will help to identify it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

iNaturalist and Mass Audubon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mass Audubon is launching an iNaturalist initiative<\/a> to compile a catalog of the biodiversity present at our wildlife sanctuaries. All of our sanctuaries are now a \u201cProject\u201d that you can contribute to. Make sure to scroll through the leaderboard to see the standing of your favorite sanctuary. Then get outside, enjoy the outdoors, and start observing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Nick Tepper, TerraCorps<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Have you ever asked a friend for the ID of a plant or animal you didn\u2019t recognize? Are you the friend who gets asked? Do you ever snap a photo of something you don\u2019t recognize to research later, but you never get to it? Do you have hundreds of pictures on your phone or computer […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12359,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12358","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stuff-we-love"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/02\/IMG_2838_750.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-3dk","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12630,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/city-nature-challenge-accepted\/","url_meta":{"origin":12358,"position":0},"title":"City Nature Challenge — Accepted!","author":"Hillary T.","date":"May 1, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Our TerraCorps member Nick Tepper took over the Mass Audubon iNaturalist account from April 26 to April 29 to participate in Boston\u2019s City Nature Challenge: a fun-filled citizen science competition to document biodiversity around the world. Nick submitted over 400 observations and documented over 220 species. Here are some of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Stuff We Love"","block_context":{"text":"Stuff We Love","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/stuff-we-love\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Piping Plover","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/04\/pipl3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/04\/pipl3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/04\/pipl3.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/04\/pipl3.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10806,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-the-city-nature-challenge\/","url_meta":{"origin":12358,"position":1},"title":"Take the City Nature Challenge!","author":"Kelly R.","date":"April 24, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Ready for a competitive weekend of exploration in nature? You're invited to compete worldwide for the Boston area team in the upcoming City Nature Challenge! The City Nature Challenge (CNC) encourages everyone within the I-495 corridor to get outside and record as many nature observations as possible. Mass Audubon wildlife\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Involved"","block_context":{"text":"Get Involved","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-involved\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/04\/Amy-Letourneau-e600.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/04\/Amy-Letourneau-e600.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/04\/Amy-Letourneau-e600.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12731,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/just-graduated-college-give-terracorps-a-try\/","url_meta":{"origin":12358,"position":2},"title":"Just Graduated College? Give TerraCorps a Try","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"May 30, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Nick Tepper on Nantucket as part of the Alternative Spring Break. It had been five minutes since we reached Nantucket\u2019s southern shores, and a beautiful sunset was fading to afterglow over the dunes. All was calm when one of the students pointed and said\u202f\"a\u202fbig bird just landed in that dune!\"\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/05\/IMG_5660.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/05\/IMG_5660.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/05\/IMG_5660.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/05\/IMG_5660.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12375,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/meet-the-terracorps-crew\/","url_meta":{"origin":12358,"position":3},"title":"Meet the TerraCorps Crew","author":"Hillary T.","date":"February 27, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"This year, Mass Audubon has been fortunate to welcome four members of TerraCorps to our team. TerraCorps partners with AmeriCorps to pair emerging leaders with land-based organizations in Massachusetts. The TerraCorps service members gain valuable, real-world experience, and Mass Audubon benefits from their energy, enthusiasm, ideas, and hard work. Say\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/02\/SamH.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/02\/SamH.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/02\/SamH.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/02\/SamH.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15483,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/125-ways-to-celebrate-nature\/","url_meta":{"origin":12358,"position":4},"title":"125 Ways to Celebrate Nature","author":"Kelly R.","date":"April 10, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"In honor of 125 years of Mass Audubon, we've compiled 125 nature ideas for you to enjoy and celebrate the amazing world around you!","rel":"","context":"In "Get Outdoors"","block_context":{"text":"Get Outdoors","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-outdoors\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Standing by the edge of a forest","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/6774Davey_Walters35706-720x480-6c3f7995-fdd3-4020-9e0f-855532dfe7a2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/6774Davey_Walters35706-720x480-6c3f7995-fdd3-4020-9e0f-855532dfe7a2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/6774Davey_Walters35706-720x480-6c3f7995-fdd3-4020-9e0f-855532dfe7a2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/6774Davey_Walters35706-720x480-6c3f7995-fdd3-4020-9e0f-855532dfe7a2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7875,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/the-most-notable-2016-bird-a-thon-sightings\/","url_meta":{"origin":12358,"position":5},"title":"The Most Notable 2016 Bird-a-thon Sightings","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"July 11, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"More than 700 birders on 24 teams participated in Bird-a-thon 2016 this May, recording a total of 270 species of birds. That\u2019s only 1 species away from the Bird-a-thon all-time best total of 271 species in 2009! Highlighted below are some notable sightings as determined by Wayne Petersen, Director, Important\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Involved"","block_context":{"text":"Get Involved","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-involved\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/06\/White-faced-Ibis-Harry-Liggett-1024x678.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/06\/White-faced-Ibis-Harry-Liggett-1024x678.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/06\/White-faced-Ibis-Harry-Liggett-1024x678.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/06\/White-faced-Ibis-Harry-Liggett-1024x678.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12358","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12358"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12358\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12402,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12358\/revisions\/12402"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12359"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12358"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12358"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12358"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}