Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. (Nature Explorers Wanted Join Us in Documenting City Biodiversity)

• 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

Volunteer Opportunity: City Nature Challenge 2024 Documentarian – a citizen scientist Volunteer to record animals sounds Photograph Flora, Fauna,mushrooms, bugs, birds, plants Like Never Before! Description: Join us in the exhilarating City Nature Challenge, an international event celebrating urban biodiversity! We are seeking passionate volunteers to document flora and fauna in the City of Saskatoon and area from April 26 to April 29, 2024, using the free iNaturalist app on your smartphone. Whether you’re an avid nature enthusiast, a casual observer, a classroom, group or a family looking for a unique adventure, this is your chance to make a meaningful contribution to the global understanding of urban wildlife. Your observations helps to protect species of concern, and also assist in early detection and rapid response for invasive species! You will help scientists understand species who are expanding their habitat range. Your assistance greatly supports efforts in creating master plans for the City of Saskatoon and area, and the woodlands, wetlands, and grasslands areas! Classrooms and groups: reach out to us to arrange an event time mutually agreed upon Skills Needed: Photography: Basic smartphone photography skills to capture as clear and detailed images of plants as possible of animals, insects, mushrooms or signs of life – nests, feathers, shells, footprints, etc. Technology: Familiarity with using the iNaturalist app on a smartphone to record sounds and share observations. Watch the Video: What is It?  Observation Skills: A keen eye for spotting and identifying various species in an urban environment. Responsibilities: Find Wildlife: Explore your city and discover any plants, animals, or signs of life. Signs of life observations are accepted, too – things that were once living or represent something that is living, like roadkill, scat, owl pellets, animal and bird tracks, snakeskins, bones, animal homes, feathers, seashells and skeletons. Take Pictures: Use the iNaturalist app to photograph your findings. You can press the + sign to take more than one picture of the same organism, then press the share button, and move on to the next organism – it’s that easy! Ladybugs, trees, “weeds”, spiders, birds, etc anything “wild” outside or inside are all wonderful to include! Record Sounds: Use the iNaturalist record any insect or bird calls. Share Observations: Share your observations on iNaturalist Benefits to Volunteers: Environmental Impact: Contribute to the global understanding of urban biodiversity and help raise awareness about the importance of preserving local ecosystems. Community Connection: Join a community of nature enthusiasts and contribute to a friendly competition between cities worldwide. Personal Growth: Enhance your observation and identification skills while learning more about the diverse flora and fauna in your city. Flexibility: Participate individually, with your family, or as part of a group, making it a versatile and inclusive experience. Recognition: Receive acknowledgment for your contributions during the City Nature Challenge. How to Participate: Download the iNaturalist app on your smartphone. Explore your city during the challenge dates, document your findings, and share them on iNaturalist. Take part in any planned events announced on eventbrite or through iNaturalist page for the City of Saskatoon iNaturalist project Get ready to embark on a thrilling urban adventure, capturing the wonders of nature right in your city! This opportunity address the impacts of COVID as it is an outdoor event which can be done at scheduled event times, or independently   Optional You may optionally also volunteer in the virtual computer based identification phase April 30 – May 5, 2024 Watch the video on iNaturalist identifications for more information