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...
Five New TNS Team Members Join IUCN Commissions for 2026–2029
We're proud to share that five new members of The Naturalist School (TNS) team have been accepted as members of IUCN Commissions for the 2026–2029 quadrennial period that reflects the depth of expertise across our team. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) runs six global Commissions of volunteer experts who advise on conservation policy and practice. And out of that, half of them are represented among our team's memberships. [mkd_separator class_name="" type="normal" position="center" color="" border_style="" width="" thickness="" top_margin="" bottom_margin=""] What are the 3 IUCN Commissions which TNS team is part of? The Commission on Education and Communication (CEC): IUCN's oldest Commission which brings together practitioners...
Our Expanding Scope Across UNEP, CBD, CSGP and Africa!
Five years ago, The Naturalist School (TNS) was founded with a singular vision: to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of our natural world by bringing out the naturalist in everyone. This month, as we are celebrating TNS’s 5th Anniversary, we are very excited to share with you all how that dream has expanded further than we ever imagined. What began as local naturalist training programs and community engagement has grown into an international movement bridging grassroots biodiversity conservation with global environmental policy. As we reflect on half a decade of growth, we are thrilled to share major updates on our ongoing work on the...
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"....
Mapping India’s Biodiversity: Help Us Build the First Comprehensive Citizen Science Inventory
The landscape of Citizen Science (CS) in India is exploding. From massive national events like the City Nature Challenge to localized efforts like annual city bird atlases and tree surveys, the power of public participation is transforming how we document our natural world. Recent global data shows just how vital this work is: platforms like iNaturalist have documented nearly a quarter of all known species on Earth, with a staggering two-thirds of those observations occurring in 2024 alone. In fact, over 50% of biodiversity occurrence records globally now come from citizen scientists. The Challenge: Scattered Knowledge Despite this rapid growth, India’s biodiversity-focused CS ecosystem remains fragmented. Information...
TNS Leads the Charge: Launching the Youth-Led YBSAP and Bridging the Gap to the CBD COP
The International Youth Biodiversity Conference (IYBC) 2026 reached a historic high this week with the official launch of the Youth Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan (YBSAP). Amidst the energy of hundreds of young leaders, this youth-led policy framework received the most resounding applause of the entire conference - marking a new era where young people aren't just participants, but architects of biodiversity policy. The Naturalist School (TNS) is proud to have facilitated the drafting and unveiling of this landmark document. Aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the YBSAP is a testament to what happens when youth take ownership of our planet's future. TNS: The...
Biodiversity Champion: Ram Dayal Vaishnav Wins the 2026 Dharmavana Youth Award
It is with immense pride and joy that The Naturalist School (TNS) announces a momentous achievement for our community. One of our own, Ram Dayal Vaishnav, has been honored with the prestigious Dharmavana International Youth Biodiversity Award 2026. This award is a celebration of tireless dedication, unwavering passion and a profound commitment to protecting the delicate balance of life on our planet. We are absolutely thrilled to see Ram’s incredible work recognized at such an elite level A Milestone for Conservation and Partnership The award was conferred upon Ram by the Minister of Environment & Forests of Telangana, Konda Surekha, the Founder & Mentor of the Dr....
