Exploring the iNaturalist Scavenger Hunt: Bingo Card Edition

At the Appalachian Mountain Club, we're all about blending the thrill of Bingo with science! Each spring, we team up with neighborhood scientists like you to better comprehend wildflower blooming and fruiting periods across the Appalachian region. This information is gathered through the iNaturalist app, a tool that empowers nature enthusiasts to make observations and collaborate with research scientists. To kick-start the iNaturalist season, we've whipped up a bingo card showcasing the most common plant species to spot on hiking trails.

Have a printout or screenshot ready, or store it on your smartphone. As you make iNaturalist observations of plant species, cross them off the card. The rules remain the same: the middle square is free, and five in a row spells out B-I-N-G-O. It's not every day you get to aid AMC researchers and enjoy a friendly competition with family and friends. Let's get spotting!

So, why are these observations crucial?

AMC scientists monitor natural patterns, such as the date that plants flower and fruit, to evaluate the real-time effects of climate change. This process is known as phenology. Many plants are sensitive to alterations in weather and temperature, making them fantastic "indicator species" for broader environmental shifts.

Now, how do I submit my observations to iNaturalist?

The iNaturalist app is a breeze to navigate, and uploading an observation takes mere moments. Here's how:

Install the iNaturalist app: You can find it by searching "iNaturalist" in both the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
Create your account: Once you've downloaded the app, sign up for an account.
Turn on location services: Ensure location services are activated on your device so your photos are timestamped and geotagged for scientists when you upload them to the app.
Photograph the wildflowers: If possible, snap a shot of the entire plant and a close-up of the flowers or fruit. Take photos within the iNaturalist app, or upload pictures captured previously.
Join AMC's projects: AMC is affiliated with six iNaturalist projects. Some span extensive territories, such as the entire Appalachian Trail corridor. Others focus on smaller areas like individual state parks. By joining a project, your observation is viewed by AMC's researchers, and you'll receive project updates through iNaturalist journal posts. Don't forget to enable "researchers can see coordinates" when you join! Here are AMC's projects:
Flowers and Fauna along the Appalachian Trail Corridor
AMC Maine Woods
Northeast Alpine Flower Watch
Flowers and Fauna of the White Mountains National Forest
New England Trail Nature Watch
Flowers and Fauna in Harriman State Park, NY

The observations made using the iNaturalist app significantly aid AMC researchers in evaluating the real-time effects of climate change on various plant species, a process known as phenology.
The iNaturalist app, accessible through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, allows users to create accounts and upload photos of wildflowers with location services activated for the sake of scientific research.
By joining AMC's projects on iNaturalist, such as Flowers and Fauna along the Appalachian Trail Corridor or Northeast Alpine Flower Watch, participants can contribute their observations to ongoing research efforts and receive project updates.
The collection of data via iNaturalist about climate change's impact on wildlife, specifically plants, contributes to a broader understanding of the environment, which can impact lifestyle choices, home and garden initiatives, and even the development of smartphone gadgets that strive to decrease technology's carbon footprint.