FAQ
Q: How will my identifications be counted?
A: We will ask the iNaturalist API how many identifications participants made during the event time period. Since the API does not know how many of those IDs went onto unknowns or kingdom-level observations, we will loosely estimate such totals simply by comparing how many of those observations exist before and after the event.
Q: How will the results be posted?
A: In the project journal we will share the results of the collaborative effort: totals in each category from all project members. Your personal results will be sent to you by direct message. If you would like to compare you rate of IDs before and after the blitz, you can check your average IDs per day here.
Q: What do I get if I win?
A: Trick question! This is purely a collaborative event and not a competition. The only prize we offer is new connections with other iNatters and the satisfaction of a job well done.
Q: Who are the admins, and what do they do?
A: @arboretum_amy is coordinating the event, and @beetle_mch and @radak are the co-admins. @trh_blue is also assisting with the project. We're here to keep the project running and answer any questions you might have!
Anyone else who wants to volunteer for this or upcoming events, please contact Amy.
Q: Can you help me learn more about identifying?
A: Yes! Check the Forum for information on ID workshops and mentorship opportunities, or you can send one of the admins a message.
Our most recent mentorship event is here: https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/sign-up-for-newbie-experienced-identifier-team-ups
Q: When should I add an observation to the project?
A: Only a few of the most noteworthy, interesting, odd, awesome, or unique observations that you come across as you are IDing should be added to the project. This is a space to share those things that really make you pause and say “I have got to show this to someone!” We know you will all do an amazing job during the blitz, and ID many, many observations. If we added them all to the project, the space would be overwhelmed. But please do feel free to share any observations that really strike you, for whatever reason.
Q: How do I add an observation to the project?
A: While viewing the observation on the iNat website, look for the “Projects” bar on the right-hand side below the Annotations box. Click in the box where it says, Add to a Project. A list will appear showing all the projects you have joined. You can select ID-Blitz December 2021 from that list, and the observation will be added. You can also just start typing ID-Blitz December 2021 in the box, and then select it when it a shorter list of matching projects you have joined is shown.
Q: Why did you choose not to use the project to count IDs?
A: It’s not really practical, and likely not even possible, even as a collection project. You can read previous IDathon FAQs for details on that.
Q: Can I mentor?
A: Informally, yes, please help your fellow iNatters. There will be a collaboration link for just this purpose, so you can see what other people in the project have been IDing. We encourage you to check that link and support and improve identifications made during this blitz. We can't add more formal mentors at this point, but we will recruit more for next time after this event has ended.
Q: Can I have a mentor?
A: We will make a journal post or two about that, but there is no formal mentorship program for this event.
if you have more questions, please add them in the comments and we will answer them.
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