For the DC metropolitan area (including DC and parts of MD, VA, and WV), we'll have monthly meetings to coordinate our activities and foster new collaborations. We invite any organizations or individuals who want to play a role in encouraging and supporting participation anywhere in the metro area to join these calls. January 29 will specifically be a call for anyone new to the City Nature Challenge, so please invite others who may be interested to join. If you would like to be added to these calls, please reach out to me directly at csodergr@umd.edu. Otherwise, just your participation in the challenge will be great!
If you are unfamiliar with the City Nature Challenge, it is a Citizen Science global event that happens each year. Different cities set up challenges, in this case DC, where anyone living in the metro area is encouraged to go out and collect as much data about the natural environment as possible through the app iNaturalist. This information helps researchers to better understand biodiversity in our area and it allows participants to learn more about and connect with their natural environment.
If you have any questions about the City Nature Challenge or how to use iNaturalist or if you would like to be added to our monthly calls, please let me know!
Thanks so much,
Cassie Sodergren