Georgia Grasslands Initiative Project in iNaturalist: How You Can Help by Joining This Public-Driven Project
Participants will view a detailed PowerPoint presentation providing information on why the project was developed and how they can help by taking photos and submitting them to iNaturalist. Thanks to Georgians across the state, the project has grown exponentially since its inception in the spring of 2021. The presentation will explore how the data and the initiative are currently being used by the U.S. Forest Service, Georgia State Department of Natural Resources, and many other federal and state partners.
Learning Outcomes:
- Increase knowledge of Georgia native wildflowers and grasses
- Provide real-time data that is being used by the U.S. Forest Service as well as State DNR and other partners
- Provide an opportunity to visit and enjoy the national forests of Georgia
- Showcase how other PSO units can engage with external institutions to increase the reach of public-interest projects
Target Audience: PSO faculty and staff
Format: Presentation
Presenter:
Will Rogers, conservation research professional, State Botanical Garden of Georgia
Will is a conservation research professional at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at UGA where he specializes in growing and studying rare and endangered plant species. He is a native of south Georgia where he developed a knack for recognizing strange and unusual relationships in the natural world. His career in plant biology began as he was obtaining a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Georgia. He worked for 17 years in the Department of Plant Biology at UGA with the last 10 of those years focusing on Sarracenia (pitcher plants). In late 2017, he joined the State Botanical Garden’s Science and Conservation team, where his work focuses on public service and outreach, horticulture and genetic analysis of various plant species.
