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Get Involved in Citizen Science

Ways to contribute from home, online, or while out exploring.

Citizen science is an easy way for anyone to help protect and understand our local environment. By recording the birds, plants, insects, and wildlife you see in your neighbourhood, you contribute valuable information that supports conservation, guides restoration work, and strengthens our understanding of biodiversity across Nelson. These small actions help restore the mauri of te taiao and reflect our shared responsibility as kaitiaki. Whether you’re using iNaturalist, eBird, or taking part in the annual Garden Bird Survey, your observations make a real difference.

iNaturalist

Record sightings of plants, insects, birds, fungi, and other wildlife. Your observations help identify species and build biodiversity records for the region.

Contribute to Science

Every observation can contribute to biodiversity science, from the rarest butterfly to the most common backyard weed. We share your findings with scientific data repositories like the Global Biodiversity Information Facility to help scientists find and use your data. All you have to do is observe.

eBird

Log bird species you see in your backyard, local park, or while walking. These records help track bird populations and seasonal patterns across Aotearoa.

eBird began with a simple idea—that every birdwatcher has unique knowledge and experience. Our goal is to gather this information in the form of checklists of birds, archive it, and freely share it to power new data-driven approaches to science, conservation and education.

New Zealand Garden Bird Survey

An annual winter survey where you count the birds visiting your garden. This long‑running project helps monitor how bird populations are changing over time.

1. Choose an hour on one day during the survey period and find the perfect bird counting spot.

2. Use the tally sheet to count the number of birds you see or hear.

3. Use the website identification resources to help you tell birds apart.

4. Use the form on the website to submit your final count.

DOC: Conservation Week/Te Wiki o Te Taiao

Conservation Week will take place on 20-26 April 2026. Nature needs our help every week of the year.

Always Be Naturing - Join the movement and be part of the change

Do your bit for nature - Discover small ways you can make a big difference for nature

Conservation Week daily quiz - Build your knowledge

Citizen Science in Action - NCC Maitai BioBlitz

In January 2025, Nelson City Council ran its first-ever BioBlitz in the Maitai Valley using iNaturalist.

A BioBlitz is a 24‑hour event where volunteers and experts work together to find and identify as many species as possible within a specific area. It’s a fun, hands‑on way to explore te taiao, learn about local biodiversity, and contribute valuable data to national and global knowledge.

The goal: connect with nature, explore the valley, learn from experts, and help build a shared understanding of the species that call this place home.

Check out the iNaturalist project page to see what we found🌿🕷️ 🦅🐟

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