Laurentian University iNaturalist Guide
Why use iNaturalist?
iNaturalist is an online platform where you can record observations of the natural world.
Anyone can contribute to iNaturalist by submitting their own observations or by providing identifications for observations made by fellow naturalists.
By using iNaturalist, individuals gain a deeper understanding of their surroundings and contribute to meaningful research and conservation efforts.
We strongly encourage all members of the Laurentian community to embrace iNaturalist as a means to connect with the natural world and actively contribute to campus biodiversity assessments.
Getting started with iNaturalist
You will need:
- Camera or smartphone
- Internet connection
- iNaturalist account
Simply head out to the nearest greenspace and start observing.
Making your first observation
Tap Observe.
Add photos or sound recordings as evidence. You can tap photos to edit and crop.
Choose what you saw, or add a placeholder and let others help.
When you saw it should be added automatically.
Where you saw it should be added automatically, if not tap and adjust.
Save and upload your observation.
Recording High Quality Observations
Make sure your subject is in focus, well lit, and fills the frame. It can be helpful to stabilize the subject with your hand if it's windy, and crop to fill the frame.
Capture a variety of photos showing the different features of the organism from multiple angles.
Make sure that the observation includes correct time and location data when uploading.
