Instructions for Android

Sign up for the Biodiversity Challenge
Five easy steps!

For an Android device, follow the instructions below:

1. Download iNaturalist for free

Here’s the link to Download iNaturalist for free. OR On your device, go to the Play Store or use your favourite search engine. In the search bar, enter iNaturalist. Select the app. Tap on Install.

2. Start the app

A short tutorial will start automatically. It explains the main steps involved in sharing observations.

Note that you have to allow iNaturalist access to your device’s GPS location data so that species you photograph can be geolocated. This step is optional, but enabling the geolocation feature means that your observations can be used by scientists. You can contribute!

3. Create an account

Go to the menu by tapping on the menu icon (three horizontal lines in the upper left corner of the screen). At the top of the main menu, you’ll see a green icon for logging in or signing up. Tap on the icon. Choose your preferred log-in method. Follow the steps of the sign-up procedure as indicated in the app.

4. Join the Biodiversity Challenge

• Tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines in the upper left corner of the screen).
• Tap on Projects on the menu.
• Tap on the magnifying glass and enter Biodiversity Challenge. The project should show up on the list of possible choices.
• Tap on Biodiversity Challenge and join.

5. Share your observations

To share an observation, you can take a photo with the iNaturalist app or select one of the photos on your phone.

• Tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines in the upper left corner of the screen).
• Choose New observation.
• Select the option you want. You can take a photo or record a sound using the iNaturalist app tools. You can also upload a photo or sound recorded on your device.
• Select an identification from among the ones suggested by the app. If you’re not sure, go for a very broad category like “insect” or “plant” by entering a keyword in the text box. Adding an identification, even a vague one, will help naturalists classify your observation.
• The place and date of the observation should be added automatically. If they aren’t, you can add any missing information manually.
• Save your observation by tapping on the checkmark.

That’s it! You’ve shared your observation. Go back and check on your observations from time to time: the Biodiversity Challenge community could provide a more accurate identification or add comments.

Here are some tips to help ensure efficient data collection:

• You can photograph plants, mushrooms, animals or insects.
• If you can, take several shots from different angles. You can also take close-ups of certain parts of a specimen.
• The photos you submit don’t need to be professional calibre. You just have to take pictures that are clear enough that the specimen is identifiable.
• And when making your observations, it’s essential, of course, to be respectful of nature.