Do you love exploring outdoors? Are you curious about the diversity of wild plants and animals found in The Colony? Do you have a smartphone or digital camera?
If you answered “yes” to these questions, join Keep The Colony Beautiful and local Texas Master Naturalist Donna Cole from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at City Hall (6800 Main St.) for a class on using the iNaturalist app.
This app and website allow anyone with a digital camera to contribute to a global biodiversity database. Do not worry that you aren’t an expert on wildlife identification – iNaturalist has a community of experts that will help you learn the difference between all those little brown birds you see in your yard, or the different plants you see out on our trails.
- Information will also be provided on the 2022 City Nature Challenge, a fun international urban wildlife competition to see which city has the most diversity. DFW had the “Most Observations” in 2017 and we need to reclaim our bragging rights!
- Minimum age for this class is 13 years old due to the requirements of the iNaturalist website; adults are requested to accompany any middle- or high-school students that wish to attend.
- Class will be indoors for basic instruction and we may move outside (weather permitting) for some hands-on experience.
- The app is available for free for both iPhone and Android, and we recommend you download it prior to class.
- Bring your smartphone or digital camera and laptop/notebook/tablet (optional for further exploration of the website)
- Participation in the City Nature Challenge at the end of April is not required but highly encouraged!