A special event will give people the chance to learn how to use their smart phone to contribute to national wildlife records.
The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere team will show people how to use the iNaturalist app to record and upload what they see while out and about, benefiting national databases and improving the wildlife records for the area.
The short and fun event will take place in Dalry Town Hall on Saturday as part of the Galloway Glens Fantastic Forest Festival.
The biosphere team has six species classed as the Biosphere’s Most Wanted – wych elm, grayling butterfly, red squirrel, nursehound, adder and swift – that will be the basis of the session. They have been chosen for their ease of identification and to showcase the value communities and individuals can have in improving local distribution knowledge.
Project support officer for the biosphere Malcolm Haddow said: “Never before has it been more important, or easier, for us to record our local wildlife. In the midst of a climate and biodiversity crisis many previously common species are under threat, from human activity, habitat loss, global warming and disease.
“Using just our mobile phones we can play a vital role in improving understanding of local species, including population hotspots and pressure points. If you’re interested in supporting this endeavour while having fun with the iNaturalist app, come along and help track down the Biosphere’s Most Wanted in Dalry.” The free session starts at 10am on Saturday and spaces can be booked by searching www.eventbrite.co.uk for Biopshere’s Most Wanted.
The Fantastic Forest Festival runs throughout February, allowing people to engage with trees, woodland and forest.
Galloway Glens team leader McNabb Laurie said: “Planning and undertaking conservation work is impossible without data – and making sure our wildlife records are up to date is a big job.
“This event will give attendees the confidence and knowledge on how they can help us record and track the progress of key species in Galloway.”
