Forsyth Spring 2020 BioThon on iNaturalist

While we’re distancing from everything else, let’s get close to nature! On behalf of your local governments in the Triad, Stormwater SMART invites you to join the Forsyth County Spring 2020 BioThon on iNaturalist.org! Join this project, and anytime from April 22 through June 19 you can explore your backyard or local park, take pictures of wild plants and critters, and upload them to the iNaturalist app right from your phone!

To get started:

  1. Download the iNaturalist app on your mobile device and create an account.
  2. From the “More” tab, click on Projects.
  3. Search for Forsyth County Spring 2020 BioThon and Join!

What is a Biothon?

A biothon is a communal citizen-science effort to record as many wild species within a designated location and time period as possible. This helps science and conservation efforts.

Captive / cultivated (planted)

  • zebra in a zoo
  • poppy in a garden
  • tree planted 1, 10, or 100 years ago by humans
  • butterfly mounted in a display case and not appropriately marked with date and location of original collection
  • your pet such as a dog or cat
  • plants that grew from seeds that were planted in the ground or scattered

Wild / Naturalized

  • fox or opossum in your yard
  • fly on a zebra in a zoo
  • weed or other unintended plant growing in a garden
  • butterfly that flew into a building or landed on a plant
  • snake that you just picked up (yes, it’s in your hand where you intended it to be, but the place and time is where the snake intended to be)
  • garden plant that is reproducing on its own and spreading outside of the intended gardening area
  • a pigeon that benefits from human populations but is not actually raised by humans
  • a bird caught by a pet cat (presuming the bird isn’t also a pet)
  • living organisms dispersed by the wind, water, and other forces apart from humans
  • a species that had been introduced to a new region and has established a population outside of human care

Anytime between now and June 19, go out and observe wild animals and plants in Forsyth County. Snap photos, identify the organism as best as you can, add your location, and save your observation. Your hosts will help you make identifications and cheer you on!

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/Forsyth-county-spring-2020-biothon

If you go to a public park or waterway, please remember to look for hazards and follow CDC guidelines for protection against Covid-19. Stay safe, learn, and have fun!