Nature Map
Nature mapping is a form of citizen science which provides a tool for recording sightings of flora and fauna in the local community. Enthusiastic amateurs will photograph a plant or animal and upload to the tool with either a suggested species or a request for identification. In either case, a local expert acting as a moderator will review the submission and confirm or provide further information.
Harnessing the resources of the community is very powerful. In a relatively short time, many local records can be gathered. While formal studies are undertaken over a discrete period of time, nature mapping can take place anywhere at anytime. It is a great way to learn about local biodiversity and make connections with other enthusiasts.
NatureMapr
Albury Conservation Company secured philanthropic funding and Council support to partner with NatureMapr to provide a forum for the sharing of wildlife information, and a community tool for learning about the local environment in the Albury Wodonga region. At the time, NatureMapr was considered a leading tool for citizen scientists to gather, share and display local wildlife information using an innovative cloud-based software platform (recognised with a 2018 Banksia Sustainability Award).
At the completion of the Albury Conservation Company project, the Albury Wodonga Nature Map had gathered 71,117 sightings of 2,749 species in 357 locations from 339 members. Unfortunately since the project was completed, NatureMapr has significantly re-organised its mapping tool (including at one stage proposing to close down). The Albury Wodonga Nature Map on NatureMapr is no longer available.
iNaturalist
Fortunately there is an alternative to NatureMapr in iNaturalist. This app has similar functionality as NatureMapr and has emerged to become one of the most used biodiversity and nature citizen science platforms in the world. It is used by both amateurs and scientists, with its data contributing to many peer-reviewed academic studies. It provides free access, download, and reuse with a good balance between openness, collaboration, and usability. In Australia it links to the important Atlas of Living Australia records of Australia flora and fauna.
If you would like to record and learn about the nature in Albury Wodonga, try downloading the app and joining the community at iNaturalist.
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