Reflections on 2022
Hello Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park (CDNP) community! For our first journal post, we wanted to reflect on the last few months that have passed since the start of this project.
Global iNaturalist Community
The iNaturalist global Year In Review reported over 32.5 million observations of over 260,000 species by the iNaturalist community in 2022, a wonderful achievement to which all of you contributed. Over 700 journal articles were published using research-grade iNaturalist observations this year.
Our Project
The CDNP currently has 209 observations total, with 83 of those submitted this year. 123 species have been recorded in the park to date. The Biodiversity of the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park project, started in October 2022, currently has 6 members, including 3 added just this month (welcome @sofibofi679, @permiandon, and @jamesdvonloh!). We are so thankful for your participation and look forward to growing our dataset with you next year. Here are just a handful of some of the lovely observations made in the park this year (a Common Cactus Dodger cicada by @permiandon, three Pima Desert Orangetips by @jamesdvonloh, a Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus flower by @matt_becker, a juvenile Roundtail Horned Lizard by @bugsicles, and a Fire-Tailed Scoliid Wasp by @kelly470):
Asombro
The Asombro Institute for Science Education, the non-profit organization which owns and administrates the CDNP, hosted two public events at the park this year. Desert Discovery Day on December 3rd featured the grand opening of the new Gateway to the Desert trail which includes new benches, interpretive signs, and an entrance kiosk. There are now over 6 miles of connected trails in the park. Our Light Up the Desert luminaria night on December 9th was very popular, with staff providing hot drinks, a holiday gift shop, fire pit, and telescope viewing for visitors. Keep an eye on our facebook page for future events!
See you in 2023!
Asombro staff and project member @bugsicles recently shared a collection of some of her CDNP photos to celebrate the start of the holiday season. We wish you all happy holidays, and look forward to growing the project with you next year!
