A nationwide initiative is inviting Canadians to help map the country's biodiversity, one photo at a time. From June 1 to Oct.1, Blitz the Gap is mobilizing citizen scientists, researchers and nature enthusiasts to document species from coast to coast to coast,
The project is co-ordinated by the Quantitative Biodiversity Lab at McGill University, led by Professor Laura Pollock, in collaboration with researchers across Canada, including key partners at the University of Victoria and Simon Fraser University.
"Understanding which creatures live where can help us protect them," said Pollock. "When people participate in iNaturalist projects like Blitz the Gap, it helps scientists and governments understand and conserve habitats."
Blitz the Gap is a project within the international iNaturalist program that collects information around the world. Anyone can join the project and upload geo-tagged photos of flora and fauna using the iNaturalist platform. An AI-powered tool provides a preliminary identification, which is then confirmed or corrected by human experts.
"The data collected by researchers, students and community scientists is used all the time. So many observations go directly into policy to protect species at risk," said Brian Starzomski, professor of environmental studies at the University of Victoria.
"Anyone can participate by uploading photos of species to iNaturalist from anywhere in Canada, leading to discoveries that extend the known ranges of species," said John Reynolds, professor of aquatic ecology at Simon Fraser University. He is co-leader, with Starzomski, of a long-running iNaturalist partnership with B.C. Parks.
