This week we are grateful to member Ray Stewart for submitting this program by Scott Loarie. Here is Ray’s set up:

“I use iNaturalist all the time to document the wildlife I experience at home and as I travel. I can look at all the posts on a map of the world to see all the various trips I have taken. It is an amazing app to document wildlife and identify curious creatures that you may happen upon. There is a world community that posts observations and many of whom review those observations to confirm or question the veracity of observations. It’s a rich dynamic. In the end, an observation can be elevated to “research grade”. That means the confidence of accuracy of identification is high. Non-scientists, curious folks with cell phones and researchers all contribute to a global database of life on earth.”

I researched this app in its infancy more than a decade ago when I was pursuing an MA in Education. Its progress, reach and accuracy are amazing. This little TED talk highlights its importance.”

Scott Loarie has a challenge for you: go outside and take a picture of a living thing. He introduces the global community of people building a living atlas of the natural world by sharing their nature photos with scientists — and shows how you can join in on the fun.