Citizen Science: 8 Billion Scientists in the Making – Launching Our COP17 Mission in Armenia
What if every human on Earth could play a direct role in protecting nature? The global citizen science community - led by Citizen Science Global Partnership - is announcing the launch of a campaign: "Citizen Science: 8 Billion Scientists in the Making" during the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP17) in Yerevan, Armenia this October! For the very first time at a CBD COP, the global citizen science practitioners are coming together to prove that community-powered observation isn't just a passion—it is a vital force for planetary conservation. Click here to access the CitSci Biodiversity Toolkit (CBD COP17) Click here to Download iNaturalist & take the Yerevan Biodiversity Challenge For...
Citizen Science delivers Big Wins for Biodiversity with more on the Horizon
Author: Prof. Austin Mast, Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, amast@fsu.edu From Darwin’s Letters to Digital Biodiversity Networks Charles Darwin (1809–1882) corresponded with over 2,000 individuals in service to his groundbreaking work. Today, we continue to combine information-sharing networks with scientific methodologies in revolutionary ways, now at lightning speeds. Our networks might involve new technologies, like remote sensing, but often people on-the-ground remain central to success. Some of those people bring advanced training, while others deliver complementary value—local knowledge, fresh perspectives, advocacy, weight as political constituents, and more. These enriched networks operate as “citizen science” or “community-based monitoring” (here referenced collectively as the former). For...
Responsible Ecotourism at Hesaraghatta Grasslands
Hesaraghatta is more than a landscape on the outskirts of Bengaluru. It is a living ecological system—an open grassland, a lake ecosystem, and a refuge for an extraordinary diversity of life. With the Greater Hesaraghatta Grassland Conservation Reserve now recognised for its ecological importance, there is a growing need to connect conservation with the communities who live closest to this landscape. Responsible Ecotourism at Hesaraghatta Grasslands was initiated with this vision: to equip young people from surrounding communities with the knowledge, skills, confidence, and professional opportunities to become certified nature guides and conservation ambassadors. Why Hesaraghatta? Hesaraghatta represents one of Bengaluru’s last remaining large open-grassland landscapes. Its importance...
Roaring Ahead: Palamau’s New Generation of Nature Guides Takes Flight
The Naturalist School, in collaboration with Palamau Tiger Reserve, successfully conducted a 5-day Eco Guide Skill Building Course from 5th to 9th August 2026, empowering local communities to become active stewards of their forest home. A New Chapter for Community-Led Conservation in Palamau A dedicated batch of 30 participants — comprising tribal youth, women, and other community members — came together to learn the ropes of nature guiding. The course culminated in a valedictory ceremony held on World Tribal Day, 9th August, symbolically tying the program to the broader celebration of indigenous knowledge and rights. Recognition from Leadership The event was graced by MLA Shri Ramchandra Singh and...
TNS partners with NBA & NCF to spread citizen science through the Campus Biodiversity Register
Today marks a monumental leap forward for citizen science and youth-led conservation in India! On August 22, hundreds of educators, researchers, students, and conservation enthusiasts gathered online via Zoom for the official national launch of the Campus Biodiversity Register (CBR) initiative. The Naturalist School is a knowledge partners in this initiative which is jointly spearheaded by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF). The CBR initiative is set to turn educational campuses across India into vibrant, living laboratories for nature exploration, ecological documentation, and youth leadership. 🚀 Highlights from Today’s Official Launch Ceremony The virtual launch event was filled with energy, vision, and a...
Beyond Names and Facts: Step Into the Wild with Our Citizen Naturalist Course (Hyderabad & Bangalore) this July
Ever looked at a local park, a forest trail, or even a patch of green in your neighborhood and wished you could truly read what is happening? Not just pointing out a tree or naming a bird, but actually understanding the intricate relationships, behaviors and hidden stories of the living world? If you are ready to take your love for nature to the next level, your journey starts here. The Naturalist School, in collaboration with Beforest (as Hyderabad partner), is thrilled to open registrations for our flagship Citizen Naturalist (Foundation) Course in both Hyderabad and Bangalore! Register soon, limit spots & seats are filling up fast! 🌿 What...
The Six-Legged Tigers in Your Backyard: Why the World’s Fastest Insects Are Rewriting the Rules of Conservation
Did you know? Out of the approximately 2,900 recognized tiger beetle species worldwide, the vast majority were originally discovered and described by historical amateurs or the contemporary community of self-taught enthusiasts, affectionately known as "cicindelophiles"....
The Power of the People: How Citizen Science Took Center Stage at UNEA-7
As the world gathered in Nairobi for the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), a powerful new force was felt in the halls of global governance. Representing The Naturalist School (TNS) and as part of a 33-strong delegation from the Citizen Science Global Partnership (CSGP), we arrived with a singular mission: to ensure that the data and lived experiences of ordinary citizens are no longer sidelined in environmental policy. TNS at the Heart of the Action The Naturalist School didn’t just observe the proceedings; we were instrumental in shaping the technical and community-driven outputs of the assembly. On the Ground: Our community was represented...
The UN’s Highest Body is Meeting: How We’re Planning to Champion the Citizen Science Charter
Article written by Ram Dayal Vaishnav, (Head - Citizen Science at The Naturalist School) originally at LinkedIn. The world is currently grappling with a triad of existential threats: the climate crisis, the rapid loss of nature and biodiversity and pervasive pollution and waste. The responsibility for forging a coordinated global response rests on the shoulders of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment. From December 8 to 12, 2025, I will be in Nairobi, Kenya, for UNEA-7, under the theme “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet.” I am attending not just as an observer, but as a delegate...
Celebrating Big Butterfly Month 2025 with The Naturalist School
September is here, and that means it's time for the Big Butterfly Month (BBM)! The Naturalist School is thrilled to participate in this nationwide citizen science initiative dedicated to raising awareness about butterfly conservation and documenting their diversity. Throughout the month, nature enthusiasts across India come together to observe and record butterflies, and we've organized some exciting events to help you get involved. Butterfly Walks in Nagpur The Naturalist School is hosting nature walks in Nagpur, guided by Certified Nature Guide Nayanika Bhatia. Join us to explore local trails and spot different species. September 21: Ambazari Biodiversity Park, Ring Road, Hingna, NagpurThese walks all begin at 7:30 AM. September...
- 1
- 2
