Citizen Science
Citizen science allows community members to participate in scientific data collection while learning more about their environment. Participation in citizen science can be as simple as snapping a few photos on your next hike or as involved as regularly monitoring local species.
iNaturalist
iNaturalist is an online citizen science platform. Watch the video for a short tutorial on how to use it. The Douglas-Hart Foundation has several iNaturalist projects:
Creatures of the Douglas-Hart Nature Center
Prairie Plants of the Douglas-Hart Nature Center
Woodland Flora of the Douglas-Hart Nature Center
Animals of the Whiteside Garden
When you make iNaturalist observations while at the Douglas-Hart Nature Center or Whiteside Garden, they will automatically be added to these projects if they meet the criteria. Each project helps the foundation monitor the flora and fauna present at our properties.
Creatures of the Douglas-Hart Nature Center
Prairie Plants of the Douglas-Hart Nature Center
Woodland Flora of the Douglas-Hart Nature Center
Animals of the Whiteside Garden
When you make iNaturalist observations while at the Douglas-Hart Nature Center or Whiteside Garden, they will automatically be added to these projects if they meet the criteria. Each project helps the foundation monitor the flora and fauna present at our properties.
Insect Research
Monarch Tagging
Monarch tagging helps us to understand their migratory patterns better. Each code on the tag is unique to that specific monarch and can be tracked along its migratory pattern. This is extremely helpful in understanding the health of our monarch population. |
Butterfly Blitz
There are many butterfly species, some more common than others, and some are extremely rare. Help us better understand the diversity we have across our properties with this unique project. |
Caterpillar Count
This project monitors seasonal changes in our community and is a national citizen science program. To learn more, visit Caterpillar Counts. |
Fly away with us...
Nesting Box Monitor
We have several nesting boxes that are scattered across our property. Help us to record the birds that we are impacting. |
Bat Monitoring
Bat monitors are needed to help piece in missing data from our forest management plan. Training and resources are provided, Using electronic bat monitors, teams can identify species of bats on our properties. Register for an upcoming opportunity by emailing volunteer@dhnature.org Training and monitoring dates for 2022: Second Thursday of the month May - September 7-9pm at the Douglas-Hart Nature Center |
Dragonfly Monitoring
Dragonflies are such unique and loved insects. Help capture data on these important species around our property. |
Reptiles and Amphibians
Frog Monitoring
These cute amphibians are a key part of our ecosystem, eating many insects that can carry disease as well as providing a food source for larger prey animals such as birds and snakes. Help us monitor the frogs on our property. |
Box Turtle Monitoring/ Tracking
Did you know that the shell on a box turtle is as unique as a human's fingerprints? Snapping pictures of the turtles you see makes it easy to track and monitor these important organisms. https://www.eiu.edu/turtles/ |