Community
20 March, 2024
Enjoying the natural environment
TIMBOON and district residents got a better understanding of the natural world around them.
Citizen science though platforms like iNaturalist provides experts with extra eyes on the ground. Members of the public can take a photo of something interesting they've seen, and the program creates an observation using GPS data and the time and date.
Every observation in iNaturalist can contribute to biodiversity science, from the rarest butterfly to the most common backyard weed.
To celebrate World Wildlife Day, Heytesbury District Landcare Network (HDLN) took a close look at the wildlife in Powers Creek Reserve, Timboon.
HDLN project officer Kate Leslie said the session went well, with 11 attending.
“The people who attended told us they wanted to focus on experiencing iNaturalist,” she said.
“We logged some plants, both natives and weeds, a butterfly, an ant and a diving beetle from Powers Creek.
“The creek’s water was very clear.”
An array of tools such as binoculars and magnifiers were on hand to help those attending get a close look.
Also available was HDLN’s free booklet, 'Gardens For Wildlife' on how to help and attract wildlife in the garden.