How Citizen Scientists Are Revolutionizing Environmental Protection: Join the Movement!

Recently, Sue Ellen Fast and Bob Turner visited Island Pacific School to talk about caring for nature. They are part of the Bowen Island Conservancy and presented their Caring for Nature initiative. The focus was on why biodiversity matters and how we can help protect it on Bowen Island.

One exciting way to get involved is by using iNaturalist. This app lets you observe and record different species in your area. When you contribute your findings, you become a citizen scientist—someone who helps gather important data for research and conservation.

The goal of iNaturalist is to encourage everyone to appreciate and take care of nature. You can discover more about this app at iNaturalist.org.

During the presentation, Bob and Sue Ellen guided the students on how to use iNaturalist. Then, they took their learning outside to look for local wildlife. Students took photos of various plants and animals, shared their discoveries on the Bowen Biodiversity Project via iNaturalist, and became citizen scientists themselves!

This data is not just for fun; it helps our community understand and monitor the health of our ecosystems. By participating in this initiative, students strengthen the school’s role in the Bowen Island community. They not only learn about nature but also contribute to protecting the environment around them. This hands-on approach reinforces our shared values and deepens our bond with the community we cherish.

This year, students and their families will keep using iNaturalist to track biodiversity on Bowen Island. The Conservancy is utilizing this data, among other resources, to map out local ecosystems and pinpoint where different species are found.

We extend a big thank you to Bob Turner and Sue Ellen Fast for sharing their enthusiasm and knowledge about conserving our natural world!

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