Lep Club April: iNaturalist as a Resource: Harnessing Citizen Science Data to Up Your Lep Game

Naturalist is much more than an ID app on your phone.

Join us for an in-depth look at how to use the web-based features of iNaturalist to enhance your study and enjoyment of Lepidoptera, our fascinating butterflies and moths. Learn how to determine when and where different species are active, discover species you may not have encountered before, and use the powerful filters this platform has to offer.

We’ll also cover how to:

• Analyze your own observations
• Improve the accuracy of identifications
• Contribute higher-quality data to support research and conservation
• Track the leps you observe this season.

Whether you’re a beginner or experienced at using iNaturalist we encourage you to attend this meeting to learn more about the ins and outs of the app and what it has to offer our Lep community.

You can check out iNaturalist here: https://www.inaturalist.org/

This will be a hybrid presentation in person and on Zoom. We encourage you to attend in person as club members may be bringing live leps to share. If you wish to participate via zoom you need to register to receive the link. Don’t forget to bring your questions! There will be time for discussion, troubleshooting, and exploring specific species or projects that interest you.  

Adrienne grew up in Monkton and got her start as a naturalist at Oregon Ridge Nature Center back in the 90s. She was an environmental educator before becoming a science teacher in 2002. Her lifelong love of insects was reignited when she discovered iNaturalist in 2020.

If you love butterflies and moths, consider joining the NHSM Lep Club. Made up of novice and expert lepidopterists who meet to exchange knowledge and support concerning habitat, threats, food sources, identification, and life cycle of butterflies and moths, the Lep Club encourages the sharing of knowledge for the raising and breeding of moths and butterflies through hands-on lessons and guest speakers.

The NHSM Lepidoptery Club meets the fourth Wednesday of every month from March-October at 6908 Belair Rd or over Zoom. Club members are also involved in outreach in the greater Baltimore community through educational programs and service projects. If you have questions feel free to email the club coordinator at rbaldwin@marylandnature.org