Photos – Green Ottawa

This weekend, the National Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is hosting their Big Backyard BioBlitz from July 29th to August 2nd. This event is all about finding wild plants, animals or insects outside—anywhere from your backyard to a hiking trail—taking pictures and helping identify their species on the free iNaturalist app.

Steps:

Take a photo of a plant, animal, or insect
Upload the picture to the app
Log the location
Select a matching species from the app’s suggestions

iNaturalist generates suggestions using Artificial Intelligence (AI), matching your picture with similar-looking species. Experts will later review any submitted images and verify the species.

This form of data collection is known as “Citizen Science” and is extremely valuable because the public has more eyes and ears on the ground than our scientists do. Collectively, we can gather a massive dataset that helps scientists track native, invasive and at-risk populations all across Canada.

This event is for the whole family, so head outside this weekend, grab your phone and take some pictures!

Get the iNaturalist App:

Article photos: Green Ottawa

Ottawa is a mecca for enjoying nature and outdoor activities. Three rivers, the Ottawa River, Gatineau River, Rideau River and Rideau Canal are great for canoeing, kayaking, sailing and swimming.

Canoes can be rented or purchased at stores such as MEC, Paddle Shack or other local outfitters (2). Or join a local outdoors club (2) and go hiking, skiing or canoeing with them. If you’re a beginner, the Ottawa River Canoe Club offers a one-day course, Recreational Canoeing Basics; Paddlesport will also be offering lessons in 2013, as well as the Ottawa Canoe Camping Club.

You can also walk, hike or bike along any of these rivers: see the Rideau Trail Association, Ottawa Capital Pathway and the village of Wakefield, Quebec, which is on the banks of the Gatineau River about 30 minutes north of Ottawa.

Please leave no trace while walking, canoeing or camping. And if you’d like to help protect these great rivers, check out these local organizations: Ottawa Riverkeeper, Save the Gatineau, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, Algonquin to Adirondacks and other local groups.

Continue reading “Canoeing the Gatineau River”