Mini BioBlitz at New Salem!
Join us on April 13th from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM for a fun and informative Mini BioBlitz on the Cardinal Ridge Trail! This is the first event in an exciting series of collaborative efforts to document and identify as many species as possible in the trail area at New Salem, where Menard County Trails and Greenways (MCTG) members have been actively involved in forest restoration.
No experience is necessary! Whether you’re a seasoned nature enthusiast or a curious beginner, this is the perfect opportunity to explore the diversity of life around us. Participants will use the iNaturalist app to document and identify plants, animals, fungi, and more. You’ll also have the chance to engage with MCTG members, share your findings, and learn about the local ecosystem.
The iNaturalist app uses AI technology to help with species identification, and community members can confirm or offer suggestions for alternative IDs. It’s a fantastic way to learn more about our native flora and fauna, while contributing to important scientific data!
RSVP is not required but appreciated for planning purposes.
RSVP here!
Already using iNaturalist? You can join the “Menard County Trails and Greenways New Salem Bioblitz” project at your convenience and begin adding observations anytime! We plan to continue collecting observations at least through the end of 2025.
New to iNaturalist? No worries!
Here’s how to get started:
- Before the event, download the iNaturalist app on your phone and create an account.
- In the app’s menu (top left), go to “Projects”, then select “Nearby” and find the “Menard County Trails and Greenways New Salem Bioblitz” project. Click “Join”.
- When you arrive at Cardinal Ridge Trail, open the app and start making observations by clicking the green “+” circle at the bottom right of the screen.
- Follow the prompts to take a photo and log your information. See detailed instructions here. Photos taken within the geographic area of the project should automatically be included in the project.
- You can visit the project within the app to see what other users are observing, compete to be among the top observers, and opt to confirm or suggest alternate identification for species you know well.
Already have photos from earlier this year along Cardinal Trail? You can upload them too! Just select “Choose Image” instead of “Take Photo”. Ensure your photos are time-stamped and georeferenced to provide the most accurate data.
Once you’re comfortable with the app, we encourage participants to add their observations anytime they’re out on the trail this year as data collection will be on-going!
