Citizen science

• Increases biodiversity data: Helps build comprehensive databases like iNaturalist, helping scientists track species distribution and abundance. 
• Monitors environmental change: Long-term observations can detect trends in climate change, habitat loss, or species decline. 
• Supports conservation efforts: Data collected can guide land management, species protection, and policy decisions. 
• Fills research gaps: Enables large-scale data collection across wide geographic areas that would be difficult for scientists to do alone. 
• Builds knowledge and skills: Improves your understanding of local ecosystems, species identification, and scientific methods. 
• Encourages curiosity and learning: Makes science more accessible and engaging for all ages. 
• Connects people with nature: Inspires stronger appreciation and stewardship for the local environment. 
• Builds community: Brings people together through shared interest in nature and sustainability. 
• Creates inclusive learning spaces: People from all backgrounds and skill levels can contribute meaningfully. 

iNaturalist is one of the most widely used global platforms for collecting biodiversity data, enabling anyone to record and share observations of wildlife, plants and fungi.  

Step-by-step guide

1. Download the iNaturalist app. 
2. Create an account. 
3. Start recording observations. 

Resources

• iNaturalist
• How to guides 
• Video tutorials

In addition to sharing your own observations on iNaturalist, there are a number of seasonal citizen science projects you can join throughout the year. These events are a great way to connect with nature, contribute valuable data, and be part of a nationwide or even global effort in recording biodiversity around us.  

City Nature Challenge - April 24-27, 2026
Join other cities around the world across 4 days in April to discover and record as many species as possible. 

Great Southern BioBlitz - October 24-27, 2025
An opportunity for all Southern Hemisphere countries to record organisms during Spring and showcase our beautiful biodiversity to the world.  

Aussie Bird Count - October 20-26, 2025 
Spend just 20 minutes observing and counting the birds you see and help BirdLife Australia develop an understanding of local birds, whilst getting to know the wildlife on your doorstep.

FrogID - November 7- 16, 2025
Australia’s biggest frog count to help record frog calls through the free FrogID app, as a measurement of frog health and distribution around the nation. It aims to monitor frog distributions over time, helping us understand how frogs and their ecosystems are responding to a changing planet. 

Australia's Untold Roadtoll - Recording Roadkill and Road Trauma
Car strikes and roadkill present a serious challenge for many of our wildlife, particularly in urbanised areas. This project aims to record data regarding wildlife roadkill on Australian roads, to help better inform road ecology decision making. 

Fungimap Australia
A citizen science project designed to record and map fungi found across Australia. Fungimap Australia spreads the word about the ecological importance of fungi and advocate for fungal conservation and investment in mycology. 

Join the Willoughby Wildlife Watch program to stay up to date with citizen science projects, environmental activities, and recent local flora, fauna, and fungi observations.