With the help of scientists at the Australian Institute of Botanical Science, the Horticulture team at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and Community Greening experts, here are five easy ways you can support the environment all year-round.
iNaturalist
iNaturalist is an app that helps identify, collaborate and simply record observations you find in nature. The app connects people from around the world, providing citizen scientists an extraordinary way to understand the remarkable abilities of life on Earth. Valuable biodiversity data is generated from these personal encounters too.
The observational data from iNaturalist is included in the Atlas of Living Australia where people can find data from the Australian PlantBank and The National Herbarium of New South Wales. Several important projects can be found within iNaturalist, including the environmental recovery project recording bushfire recovery.
Mushroom found at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan. Image by Glenn Smith
Get froggy
Australia has over 240 known species of frogs, almost all unique to us and not found anywhere else in the world. Some species are booming, like the Striped Marsh Frog but others have decreased dramatically since the 1980s.
FrogID by the Australian Museum is a national citizen science project that educates people worldwide about Australia’s frogs. The app aims to create a database of the calls, diversity and distribution of our froggy friends.
If you would like to attract frogs (or other wildlife) to your garden, find out how to create a habitat garden that they will love here.
While you should never disturb or touch frogs found in nature, you can record their calls for research.
Inspiring future generations
Junior Landcare encourages young people to play an active role in ensuring the safest environment for their future, helping them to develop a sense of responsibility to the land and other natural resources.
It is a great way to involve kids in outdoor activities that provide a platform to develop skills, share knowledge, create experiences and foster connections with place and community.
ClimateWatch
Climate change affects rainfall, temperature and triggers a difference in established flowering times, breeding cycles and migration movements.
Earthwatch developed ClimateWatch to recognise how changes in temperature and rainfall affect seasonal behaviour. It is based on phenology, the study of plant and animal life cycle events, and how seasonal and interannual variations influence the climate. The the data recorded by citizen scientists has the potential to help shape the country's scientific response to climate change.
Plant a tree
Trees are truly remarkable plants, many are among the largest and the oldest living organisms on the planet. Planting trees is a powerful and affordable way to make a personal difference for the environment. Trees provide so many benefits to our communities and homes; they are a source of fresh fruit, a safe haven for wildlife, create shade and privacy. Plus, trees help to create a beautiful place to live.
Check out the video below for more tree tips from Community Greening expert, Peter Dawe. If you are in New South Wales, don't forget to register your tree here.
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