How iNaturalist works
Every photo tells a story. Every story protects nature.
iNaturalist makes it easy for anyone to contribute to science and conservation while learning about the natural world. Join our community!
No scientific background required: Simply photograph plants, animals, or fungi you encounter and share them on iNaturalist with a date and location. iNaturalist's AI identification suggestions and global community of experts help confirm the species you're seeing!
Technology features:
- AI-powered camera for instant species identification suggestions
- Community verification system ensuring data quality
- Global database accessible to researchers worldwide
- Mobile and web platforms for easy participation
How it works
When you encounter an interesting organism, photograph it and upload the observation to iNaturalist. Our computer vision system provides identification suggestions, and community members help confirm the identification. Once verified, your observation becomes part of a global research database.
Document what you find
Upload photos with our mobile app or web platform. Our AI analyzes images and suggests possible species based on millions of verified observations.
Connect with the community
Naturalists worldwide — from enthusiasts to researchers — review observations and share knowledge about species characteristics and local distribution patterns.
Contribute to research
Verified observations achieve "research grade" status and become available to scientists studying biodiversity patterns, environmental changes, and conservation priorities.
Impact
- 25% of known species are documented on iNaturalist
- Over 500,000 species have been cataloged by community members
- Research applications span ecology, conservation, and environmental science
- More than 200,000 projects fuel on-the-ground conservation
- Policy decisions increasingly use community-generated data
Getting started
Download the free iNaturalist app or explore the website. Photograph organisms, upload with location data, and engage with the community. Your observations contribute to global biodiversity research and conservation!
Download iNaturalist | Technology for Nature | Science | Conservation
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