Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. (🌿🌿 Nature Observer Opportunity)

Organization Name: Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc.
Opportunity Title: 🌿🌿 Nature Observer Opportunity
Category: Environmental Improvement
Commitment: Less than 6 months
Start Date: April 25, 2025
End Date: May 4, 2025

Email: friendsafforestation@gmail.com
Website: https://www.friendsareas.ca
Details:

• Appropriate for youth (i.e., less than 18)
• Appropriate for volunteers aged between 18 and 55
• Appropriate for volunteers aged 55 and over
• Family-oriented volunteering
• Appropriate for court-ordered volunteers

Opportunity Description:

Download the free iNaturalist app, document local biodiversity in the city and optionally to participate in free events at the afforestation areas https://6192db9370581.site123.me/ What you’ll be doing Dates: April 25–28, 2025 Location: All areas of Saskatoon (backyards, sidewalks, bus stops, greenspaces, shorelines) What is the City Nature Challenge? The City Nature Challenge (CNC) is an exciting four-day event where community members use the iNaturalist app to observe and record local biodiversity. Whether you’re in your backyard, strolling through the neighborhood, or exploring green spaces, this citizen science event encourages everyone to document the plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms around them. This year, we are inviting YOU to be a part of this global initiative right here in Saskatoon. By participating, you’ll help track the biodiversity of our city, contribute valuable data for scientific research, and join a friendly competition to see which city can make the most observations and identify the highest number of species. How Can You Help as a Volunteer? We need volunteers across Saskatoon to download the free iNaturalist app to their smartphones and take part in recording the nature they encounter throughout the city! Your role is simple: Download the iNaturalist App: It’s free and easy to use! Once you’ve signed in with your own username and password, you’re ready to start. Record Your Observations: Whether you’re in your yard, walking along a sidewalk, or near the river, take photos of any living organisms you spot—plants, animals, fungi, insects, etc. You can even record sounds like bird calls! Upload Your Findings: Share your observations with the app, which will automatically log the time, date, location, and a photo of each sighting. Join Events: https://www.friendsareas.ca Attend one of the City Nature Challenge events in Saskatoon’s afforestation areas for a guided nature walk and learn how to make meaningful observations while connecting with other nature enthusiasts. No Expertise Required! You don’t need to be an expert or know the names of the species you encounter. Just bring your curiosity and a passion for nature! iNaturalist will help you identify species and even suggest if the organism you recorded is a species at risk or a key plant in the area. How to Get Involved: Simply download the iNaturalist app and start recording observations anywhere in Saskatoon—whether it’s your backyard, local parks, or urban green spaces. Share your findings during the challenge (April 25–28) or continue using the app even beyond the event to track nature all year round. If you so desire, come out to our free events in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area or George Genereux Urban Regional Park to join other volunteers and learn more about local biodiversity. Together, we’ll help put Saskatoon on the map for this fun and important challenge! Get ready to explore, record, and contribute to a global citizen science movement! Download iNaturalist today and start making a difference in documenting the beauty and diversity of Saskatoon’s nature! Why Participate? Promote Biodiversity: By contributing to citizen science, you’re helping track the health and variety of life in Saskatoon. Foster Connection with Nature: This event is about connecting to the natural world around us, no matter where you live. Learn & Share: The app will guide you through identifying species and exploring the natural wonders of your own community. Key Objectives: Community Engagement: Help raise awareness of the importance of urban forests as habitats of biodiversity and engage community members in environmental stewardsh Biodiversity Tracking: Contribute valuable data via iNaturalist for researchers to monitor trends in local biodiversity and climate resilience. Environmental Advocacy: Encourage people to see themselves as guardians of these natural spaces and use their everyday activities to contribute to environmental science. It is important to Note, the volunteer citizen science participants / observers do not need to be experts or botanists, or know what the names of any organisms of nature are. There just needs to be a natural curiosity, and a longing to connect with nature. What the Challenge Involves: Snap pictures or take sound recordings of wild plants, animals, insects, and mushrooms from April 25 – April 28, 2025. Identify the discovered species from April 29 – May 4, 2025, using iNaturalist. Results will be unveiled on Monday, Monday, May 5, 2025. Curious About Biodiversity? The observer will need curiosity and awareness of the natural world around us in the search for nature and signs of life creating a biodiversity data base on iNaturalist. Younger participants can use “SEEK” Observations of signs of life are also welcome—these can include items that were once alive or symbolize living things. Examples include roadkill, scat, owl pellets, animal and bird tracks, snakeskins, bones, feathers, seashells, and skeletons.