Ranger Nikki will host a drop-in information table to get you on your way to becoming a Citizen Scientist using the free iNaturalist app that identifies and documents nature photos that you take with your phone. Learn about flowers, trees, birds, bugs and even fungi around you while creating a digital log of all the cool nature specimens you’ve seen on your adventures, along with their locations and dates seen. At the same time, you will create an online biodiversity record for the scientific community to use in studying populations, occurrence ranges, seasonal changes and more! This year, we are excited to have our citizen science programs be part of Citizen Science Month 2026, an official partner of America 250, the campaign to celebrate the United States of America’s semiquincentennial anniversary. You can double your impact on the initiative of reaching 2.50 Million Acts of Science by reporting your iNaturalist observations to SciStarter, an organization that connects people to citizen science projects, citizen scientists and resources. Create an account on SciStarter.org, an ASU research affiliate, and add your iNat username to settings (under “Affiliation Integration”). Do this once, and all your observations count!
Due to limited connectivity in parks, it is advised to download the iNaturalist app while on wi-fi before arriving at the park. This information session can help you prepare for the annual City Nature Challenge, where Team Phoenix will compete with cities around the world to upload on iNaturalist the greatest number of species from April 24-27. Wear closed-toe shoes, a hat and sunscreen if you are hiking afterwards and bring plenty of water. Restrooms and water are available at the Nature Center.
MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center
No registration required. Just stop by any time between 10am and 11:30am!