So, the other night I did my presentation for the Cross Timbers Master Naturalists on iNaturalist... Again, I had some trouble putting it together -- there was SO much that I wanted to say. I ended up making it more of a personal "why am I a naturalist?" than a "how to iNat." Anywho, here is the outline. If you want the ppt presentation, here it is: http://www.slideshare.net/SamKieschnick/inaturalist-presentation-to-master-naturalists
September 21, 2015
When and where did you see what?!?
iNaturalist – adding data and learning in the process
How to train the next gen of naturalists…
Why are you a naturalist?
Raise your hand if you call yourself a naturalist…
Raise your hand if you like or enjoy nature – if you did this, I would call you a naturalist.
Overall question to be thinking of during this presentation – why are you a naturalist???
Most common question…
Lucky to have a job where I can be a naturalist for a profession! “Lucky bastard” as Andy Keeble calls me.
I lead several nature walks and programs… Had one this morning with 18 homeschool kiddos
Most common question on a nature walk – “what is that?!?”
“The first step in wisdom is to know the things themselves" Carolus Linnaeus, Systema Naturae (1735).
Growing up…
Growing up, my parents nourished this love of being outside, catching bugs, exploring…
Use field guides to address that question – one of my first field guides that I used a BUNCH – Audobon insect, bird guide
What if…
But what if each time when that question was asked, or when you found out what something was, you could share that bit of data with the rest of the world (I’ll get into the “maybe I don’t want to share that…” later on)
- your dot on the map adds to the global understanding of that species
Now is a great time to be a naturalist:
- growth of citizen science…
Josh Tewksbury, university of Washington, professor of natural history, ecology, conservation biology
http://naturalhistoriesproject.org/conversations/an-exciting-time-to-be-a-naturalist
Social networks…
The rise of the social network – facebook is now part of our vocabulary
- facebook used to be more about relationships, now it’s kinda a sharing viral videos with friends
- Do you have facebook? Even if you don’t, you KNOW what facebook is… Guarantee you know more people that have
facebook accounts than are not on facebook…
Slow down – isn’t that the problem? Aren’t people living too much in a digital reality? Isn’t technology keeping people from going outside?
Nature deficit disorder
Technology and nature – nature deficit disorder – children (and adults) glued to screen
- technology isn’t going anywhere… As naturalists, we need to adapt to the technology!
Technology needs to be the hook
Nature field guides used by the next generation of naturalists will involve changing technology!
- “page turner” being replaced with “page clicker” – field guide will be on smart phone/tablets
- nature education needs to use technology as a hook rather than something to fear…
Enter: iNaturalist
“Documenting biodiversity and distribution of species through time and space with evidence (photo/sound)”
- Similar networks: bugguide, ebird, project noah
History of this network
- 2008 project at UC Berkeley – Ken-ichi Ueda, et al. - went through various changes in appearance
Current status at California Academy of Sciences
- 70,000+ users - 1.5 million+ observations across every continent
- projects, guides, journals, species distribution maps
iNaturalist’s unit is an observation…
It is just like a collection or museum of observations
I was so lucky to be a part of BRIT (herbarium) where I became passionate about “collections.”
Each observation acts like a voucher, shows some organism at some point in time at some place
- what, when, where = data.
- Differences between museum/herbarium specimens and iNaturalist observations…
1. physical specimen can be held in museum/herbarium
2. more accurate measurements in museum/herbarium – ruler and specimen in hand
3. museum/herbarium is not accessible to public… iNaturalist IS!
4. public not really invited in the museum/herbarium… Public necessary in iNat
5. digital collection more conservation-based (no/little harm to organisms being observed)
BRIEF how to join and add observations
show in slides -- 3 or 4
- website is what you should use first – to get comfortable…
- set up profile (username, password, profile)
- add observation, edit time, and location,
- scroll through projects and join projects – add observations to projects
*handout on how to join iNaturalist with more details…
- app – mobile devices – data collection device!
- photos with phones are getting pretty good (and will get better)
Benefits of being a part of iNaturalist
LEARN A LOT.
Giving others guidance
Live vicariously through adventures
Interact with experts
Being part of the “big picture”
We share this planet…
Questions/criticisms about iNaturalist
I’m no expert! I don’t want to look like a dummy!
Privacy concerns
Wildlife concerns…
My photographs aren’t good enough…
practice! Camera technology – point and shoots are gooooood these days
– a good camera has changed the way I look at nature!
Wait, what do you call that?
When is somebody going to ID this?!? Come on!
Change, change, change…
Time flies…
Why are you a naturalist?
- I’m a naturalist because I love nature. I love to learn about nature. I love to motivate and encourage others to love nature! I love to know and be with others that love nature.
How to change the world….
David Attenborough –Criticism for not being vocal enough about conservation… Instead, with his shows, he would simply show them what amazing organisms are out there… “isn’t this lovely/ isn’t this amazing?”
Participation is worth it.
- you get out what you put in – input, process, output, feedback
- Participation is needed! Participation makes you part of the big picture.
- Welcome to other nature enthusiasts – give some guidance on organisms that others spot
- you know more than you think you know!
- social network for naturalists and nature-enthusiasts
Next generation of naturalists
Think of the next generation of naturalists too – they will be using these sorts of tools.
Picture of nephew EJ with caterpillar…
We share out knowledge and our interest
As naturalists, it’s also our responsibility, duty (and privilege) to guide the next generation of naturalists.
Want to practice?
- Encourage you to give iNaturalist a try!
- Chuck Silcox Park October 3
- Oliver Nature Park BIOBLITZ! October 10, 9 – 11 am
- snacks and drinks provided
- bring a camera, smart phone, or iPad
Questions?
sam.kieschnick@mansfieldtexas.gov
screenname: sambiology on iNat
"...we are human in good part because of the particular way we affiliate with other organisms. They are the matrix in which the human mind originated and is permanently rooted, and they offer the challenge and freedom innately sought. To the extent that each person can feel like a naturalist, the old excitement of the untrammeled world will be regained. I offer this as a formula of re-enchantment to invigorate poetry and myth: mysterious and little known organisms live within walking distance of where you sit. Splendor awaits in minute proportions." E.O. Wilson, Biophilia.
Comentarios
Wow. Your joy and passion spring forth here, Sam. If I was a kid again, it would be a life-changing afternoon to learn of iNat through you. Oh, wait...I am a child. :)
Liam
"One time, one time, one time, one time..." ;)
See you in November!!!
Super awesome. Great work, Sam!
Looks great, Sam. I meant to mention this on your earlier post, but I pretty much always give an iNat presentation like this: start with some photos of organisms and talk about them with the audience, then segue into how iNat is just having those same kinds of conversations on the Internet. Then I talk about functionality (why you would want to use it), and why we think it's important, and then in an ideal situation we all go outside and use iNat.
Here's a video of a presentation I gave last year in a session about nature interpretation: http://lecture.ucanr.org/Mediasite/Play/5a429a61e52a4ae0a881a91fab45064d1d
I like the idea of addressing people's fears and qualms, e.g. privacy and looking ignorant. Might try and pull that in the next time I have to present!
Thanks all! Yeah, I did want it to be a much broader "why this" rather than the "how to" (most of the questions at the end were "how to"). I jibber jabbered for about an hour and 15 minutes too -- and almost everyone stayed awake!
Thanks for sharing your presentation too, Ken-ichi. I like that focus on conversation and interpretation. I think it'd be a good idea to address some of the criticisms/fears of iNat in future presentations too -- I look forward to talking with you about some of these things in November! :)
You are such a rock-star Sam!
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