Please join us - meetings are free and all are welcome. Bring your own refreshments!
Have you ever been curious about a caterpillar you found on a lawn weed at a local park? Or a cute little mushroom that appeared after some heavy rain? As humans, we tend to have a natural thirst to put a name on the discoveries we make, though we often don't have the time to learn more. This presentation will describe how iNaturalist and its community of experts and enthusiasts can help you satisfy your curiosity about that beautiful wildflower you saw blooming in the Everglades! The bigger focus, however, will be on the picture you are helping to paint each time you post an observation. We will learn how to navigate the public database using various search filters and even how to use the database as an at-a-glance field guide for any type of organism!
Joe Montes de Oca is a lifelong nature lover who has become more and more interested in learning about the seemingly infinite number of organisms of South Florida. Although he teaches Italian and Portuguese as a profession, his students are constantly hearing about uccelli (birds), fiori (flowers) and maravilhas da natureza (wonders of nature). In the fall of 2019, he was lucky enough to pick up a weekend gig working as a field tech in the Hole-in-the-Donut with Steve Woodmansee, learning about one of South Florida's most impressive restoration projects. He spends most of his free time exploring the trails of the Everglades and Big Cypress but also the local parks and vacant lots of Miami, documenting his finds on iNaturalist.org, a growing citizen science website.
The virtual meeting begins at 7:30 PM Eastern time with announcements, followed by the presentation. Please join early to allow for addressing any problems with access. If you have problems, please email dadefnps@gmail.com or text 305-985-3677.
Watch via ZOOM (you can submit comments/questions), or YOUTUBE (viewing only).
*** For Zoom, please register with the link below. Registration for Zoom closes at 7 pm the night of the meeting. You will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting. You MUST save and use your personal link to the Zoom meeting to attend through Zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrdOGuqTorG9PVM6XrOTfYT6lSW7dLY6PO
*** Otherwise, view on YouTube (no chat; no registration needed):
YouTube live: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmassuC5-OsAX2KsRYQ6X5A
Want more? See available past programs at the Dade Chapter's YouTube channel (link above).