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A SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET
Protecting Canada’s Wildlife & Biodiversity
Embark on a Wildlife Adventure with iNaturalist.ca Explore iNaturalist.ca, a platform empowering citizen scientists to effortlessly track biodiversity.
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hat personal action can I take to help protect wildlife?” It’s a question often posed by individuals concerned with biodiversity loss who are looking to have a positive impact on the natural world around them. Canadian Wildlife Federation suggests one simple way to have a real impact is to track biodiversity using the free iNaturalist app. Anyone can become a valuable ally to scientists and environmental managers simply by putting your iNaturalist app to good use. Whether through use of a smartphone, tablet or camara, the goal with iNaturalist Canada is to record observations and sound recordings of all the wild flora and fauna you can find the next time you find yourself outdoors, whether
in the wilderness, urban spaces, or your own backyard. By recording and uploading those sightings into the iNaturalist.ca platform, you can turn your nature observations into important data that helps Canadian scientists track biodiversity across the country. So far Canadians have registered more than 13 million observations into the platform, creating an active database of biodiversity information than helps guide conservation efforts from coast to coast. The more people that record their observations in iNaturalist.ca, the bigger impact we can have for Canada’s wildlife from coast to coast. Using the iNaturalist.ca platform, we can build a living record of wildlife in Canada that scientists and environmental managers can use to monitor changes in biodiversity. It can also
be used by anyone hoping to learn more about Canada’s amazing natural history. iNaturalist.ca is a tool that makes it easy to learn. Image recognition software will instantly provide suggestions of what you just photographed, and it’s amazingly accurate. Observations are then reviewed by experts in the iNaturalist community to help confirm the identification. It’s a fun, educational, and easy way to become a “citizen scientist” while creating a “nature selfie” of Canada’s vital biodiversity. iNaturalist Canada is led by the Canadian Wildlife Federation along with Nature Serve Canada and Parks Canada.
PHOTO CREDIT: AMANDA BICHEL
Canadian Wildlife Federation
Learn more at iNaturalist.ca
The Key to Protecting Nature? Teach Kids to Respect and Admire It Through educational programming and community outreach, Quinte Conservation is inspiring youth to protect and connect with nature.
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Katherine Cappellacci
Learn more about Quinte Conservation and its offerings at quinteconservation.ca.
This article was sponsored by Quinte Conservation.
hen young people participate in community engagement and conservation education, they develop a sense of responsibility for their environment. Developing this connection to nature will shape a young person’s actions and attitudes over time, nurturing their potential to become future leaders in conservation. Quinte Conservation (QC) is a community-based environmental protection agency that works with residents to ensure that people and nature live harmoniously. Their vision is to advance watershed knowledge and collective actions to strengthen ecosystems. “Everyday operations involve a range of activities focused on environmental conservation, education, and recreation,” says Lindsay Nash, Outreach and Stewardship Coordinator. “All our education programs are designed to engage youth through hands-on activities.” Through Outdoor Programs and Watershed Work-
shops, youth are educated and inspired through nature — and they’ll share what they’ve learned with others.
Planting the seeds QC provides curriculum-based programming at their conservation areas. They maintain partnerships with school boards located in the QC watershed. Participants learn about the past, too. “Educating today's youth about the historical significance of land use and its impact on watersheds is crucial for several reasons, especially in connection to stabilizing degraded watersheds,” Lindsay explains. “Historical context provides a deeper understanding of the importance of conservation and restoration efforts, instilling in them a sense of stewardship for the environment.” In alignment with QC’s strategic plan and goal for 2030, their community engagement efforts teach kids how to protect and value the environment and empower future generations.
Strategic Account Director: Anna Sibiga Content Strategy Manager: Nicole Kansakar Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Production & Delivery Manager: Michael Taylor Creative Director: Kylie Armishaw Graphic & Web Designer: Christina Morgan Digital & Social Media Strategist: Kristen Neals Digital Traffic Strategist: Karm Rathod All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve The National Post or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.
Lindsay Nash Outreach & Stewardship Coordinator, Quinte Conservation