Trending Now - Inaturalist App Engages Users in Scientific Research

WHO:

Scott Loarie, executive director of iNaturalist

Martha Stewart, host of a "BioBlitz"

David Pogue, iNaturalist fan and participant in the "BioBlitz"

WHAT:

Approximately six million people use the iNaturalist platform every month.

iNaturalist users have made 300 million sightings across 197 countries.

The app provides data on hundreds of thousands of species each year.

During a "BioBlitz," a group identified 458 different species in one hour.

The app has a stealth function that shares user photos with scientists, including date and location data.

Predictions indicate that one in three species may be lost by the end of the century.

WHERE:

The "BioBlitz" was hosted at Martha Stewart's home in Bedford, New York.

The app is used globally, with sightings reported from all 197 countries.

WHEN:

The articles were updated on March 22nd, 2026.

The "BioBlitz" event took place recently, but no specific date was provided.

WHY:

The app aims to help users identify species and provide data to scientists studying biodiversity, species decline, and habitat loss.

Scott Loarie emphasized the importance of preventing species extinction, likening it to "popping a rivet off" an airplane.

HOW:

Users take photographs of species, which are then uploaded to the iNaturalist app, providing valuable data for scientific research.

The "BioBlitz" is a timed competition where teams compete to find and identify the most species within a set timeframe.

(UPDATED March 22, 2026 23:23 UTC)

In a recent "BioBlitz" hosted at Martha Stewart's home in Bedford, New York, participants, including iNaturalist executive director Scott Loarie and tech expert David Pogue, identified an impressive 458 different species in just one hour. The iNaturalist platform, which boasts around six million monthly users and has recorded 300 million sightings across 197 countries, aims to provide crucial data on biodiversity and help combat species decline, with predictions suggesting that one in three species may be lost by the end of the century. Users contribute by photographing species and uploading their findings, which are then shared with scientists to aid in research on habitat loss and conservation efforts.