Nature Conservancy of Canada challenges shutterbugs to photograph nature this weekend
The Nature Conservancy of Canada is encouraging people to photograph nature during the August long weekend – and send them the photos.
Backyard BioBlitz begins Friday and ends Monday. Last year, the group received about 35,000 responses to their call for Canadians to photograph plants, animals and fungi.
To participate, register on the Nature Conservancy of Canada website and download the iNaturalist app.
“The app will automatically … geolocate where they’re at so that saves them some time," said Andrew Holland, a spokesperson with the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
"If they’re not sure what kind of tree or shrub or bird they’re seeing or beetle, there’s a drop-down menu in the app and it has some lookalike or mimics."
Holland said participating in the Backyard BioBlitz helps scientists and researchers gather information. For example, it can let them know if a bird species has been knocked off its normal migration pattern.
“From an invasive species perspective, it’s been helpful for a beetle called Emerald Ash Borer," said Holland.
"It’s destroyed trees from Nova Scotia through Manitoba, many parts of Ontario."
Roxane Filion, a nature enthusiast in Timmins, enjoys using the iNaturalist app.
“The more you submit to iNaturalist and learn what those species do for the environment, the more you think wow this is amazing," Filion said.
"Even if you don’t know what this little critter is or what this butterfly is, take a photo and put it in the project and people are actually going to go weigh in on it to help you identify it.”
More than 6,500 participants logged observations last year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
World's record-breaking hot temperature streak stretches through April
The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.