If you participated in the Garden Route District event of the City Nature Challenge for 2023 and would like your certificate, please send an email to grd.cnc@gmail.com with your username on iNaturalist.
Your certificate will then be emailed to you.
You may note that observation, observers, and species total change after completing the City Nature Challenge.
The final tally for this, and all projects in the CNC is a snapshot at the respective cut-off time.
OBSERVATIONS:
Observations taken over the 4-day period and uploaded after the additional grace period do still reflect in the project. Thus, the project will collect all information until everyone has finished their uploads.
Please, do not go and delete those observations now, or stop your uploads. They may not have counted for the CNC but are still valuable information.
There is no “Added By” cut-off date in the project. Thus, the project still includes these late observations.
Also, observers may have deleted a duplicate observation or made some other form of correction that will also reflect on the project.
SPECIES:
Observations will still get verified over time.
Of the 13085 observations, 7113 achieved research grades so far. So, as time passes, and experts carry on identifying this number will change. This is almost 55% of the observations that got research grade.
OBSERVERS:
An observer may have incorrectly placed an observation within the project and later corrected this error. After the correction, the observers’ numbers will also change, and this would also affect the total observations for the period.
To get a more accurate reflection on what was uploaded from 28 April – 28 May 23 follow this link:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?created_d1=2023-04-28&created_d2=2023-05-08&d1=2023-04-28&d2=2023-05-01&place_id=any&project_id=city-nature-challenge-2023-garden-route&subview=map&verifiable=any
No one has control over any user amending or deleting their observations over time.
Cape Nature proudly sponsored a 2-night accommodation for one lucky individual.
The Garden Route Botanical Gardens proudly sponsored 5 individual annual memberships to the gardens.
The winner of the Garden Route Botanical Gardens memberships are:
Username: Erickmunro
Username: Biankefouche
Username: simone622
Username: donovank
Username: travis_hele
The winner of the Cape Nature weekend getaway is:
Username: outrampsjenny
Congratulations to one and all and thank you for your commitment.
A function will be held at the Marshmallow café, and Moriarty Hall at the Garden Route Botanical Gardens on 20 May 2023 when the prizes will be handed over.
Please check your messages on the iNaturalist message service for details.
On the world stage, congratulations must go to Región Metropolitana de La Paz.
With 126435 observations they are clearly in the lead. They documented 5344 species with 3025 observers.
On the southern Africa stage, congratulations must go to the City of Cape Town. They also achieved 2nd place on the world stage.
With 52518 observations they documented 3847 species with 1284 observers.
How did the Garden Route fair?
Observations: 13085 observations were uploaded placing us 33rd on the world stage and 4th on the southern Africa stage.
Species: 2506 species recorded placing us 18th on the world stage and 2nd on the southern Africa stage.
Observers: 241 dedicated observers placed us 79th on the world stage and 2nd on the southern Africa stage.
Well done everyone and a big thank you to each of you.
https://www.citynaturechallenge.org/live
The Garden Route looks good with a little over 12 hours until the cut-off time.
In southern Africa the Garden Route is placed:
4th place for the number of observations.
2nd place for the number of species.
2nd place for the number of observers.
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-southern-africa-2023
On the international stage the Garden Route is placed:
32nd place for the number of observations.
18th place for the number of species.
78th place for the number of observers.
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2023
All uploads and identifications must be completed by 09h00 on Monday 08 May.
All uploads and identifications must be completed by 09h00 on Monday 08 May.
Thereafter a snapshot will be taken of this project to show the final tally.
The sooner you can upload the more time there is to make identifications.
Unknowns: These are all observations uploaded without being placed into a category.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=unknown&project_id=150627
Birds:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Aves&project_id=150627
Amphibians:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Amphibia&project_id=150627
Reptiles:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Reptilia&project_id=150627
Mammals:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Mammalia&project_id=150627
Fish:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Actinopterygii&project_id=150627
Mollusks:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Mollusca&project_id=150627
Arachnids:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Arachnida&project_id=150627
Insects:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Insecta&project_id=150627
Plants:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Plantae&project_id=150627
Fungi & Lichens:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Fungi&project_id=150627
Protozoans:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Protozoa&project_id=150627
You may have or are busy uploading your observations.
Please periodically check online for callouts, or your activity feeds on your Cell App for any comments on a observations.
An identifier may leave a message for clarity that needs your input. Without your input, the observation may hang.
If you need any assistance leave a message on this post or leave a message on the observation of interest.
Thank you for everyone's interest, commitment and time.
Now that the four days for taking observations are over the time has come to upload and identify.
All uploads and identifications must be completed by midnight on 08 May.
The sooner you can upload the more time there is to make identifications.
To assist with identifications here are links to the different categories.
Select your favourite category and help to bring the observations to the research grade.
Unknowns: These are all observations uploaded without being placed into a category.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=unknown&project_id=150627
Birds:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Aves&project_id=150627
Amphibians:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Amphibia&project_id=150627
Reptiles:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Reptilia&project_id=150627
Mammals:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Mammalia&project_id=150627
Fish:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Actinopterygii&project_id=150627
Mollusks:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Mollusca&project_id=150627
Arachnids:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Arachnida&project_id=150627
Insects:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Insecta&project_id=150627
Plants:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Plantae&project_id=150627
Fungi & Lichens:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Fungi&project_id=150627
Protozoans:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&iconic_taxa=Protozoa&project_id=150627
If while looking through observations, you find one that you like, that enthrals you, or that surprises or amazes you, Please VOTE for it.
To vote, look for the FAVE button. It is a star just under the map on the top right of every observation. Just click on the star to record your vote.
If you see an eligible observation while making identifications, please VOTE for it.
The Fave button is at the bottom of the left-hand picture panel, in the middle, to the left of the "captive" and "review" buttons. Just click it to record your vote.
The observations with the most votes will go into the final selection for the observation of southern African CNC23. Similarly, many cities will be running competitions for the best photos, so remember to help by voting for the best.
What makes a great Observation?
A stunning picture - for whatever reason
Something unusual - a species, a behaviour, a situation
An interesting story or circumstance - an interaction perhaps
Something that amazes you: for its beauty (or ugliness), its majesty (or plainness), its inspiration (or dread).
Just because you like it!
It is entirely up to you. If enough people feel the same, it might be the observation of the 2023 City Nature Challenge.
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-southern-africa-2023/journal/78879-faves
Please note to time your uploading of observations/pictures with your local 'load-shedding' (our euphemism for 'blackouts') schedule.
This does not apply to smartphones. Their batteries will keep them going, and the uploading software is clever enough to keep tabs on what is uploaded successfully or not. Just resume uploading by synching your phone when the internet is back up again.
However, the web version of the upload has not been designed for "load-shedding" and you need to be aware that you will lose uploads if you are not finished before the power is out.
Ordinary Computers:
If your computer goes off, then any work you were doing will be lost if the power goes down. There is no way of picking up where you left off. You will need to begin again.
Ensure that there is enough time for all your pictures to upload and all the observations to be processed before the blackout begins.
Rather work in small batches of less than 10 or 20 observations that are more quickly finished, than work with lots of observations, and have to start again.
Laptops:
Your laptop battery will keep the upload window open so that you will not lose your general work, if the power goes out, and the internet goes down.
But note that any pictures that you were still busy uploading will be abandoned. In other words, already uploaded photos are OK, but those that still needed to be uploaded will be ditched.
You will need to reload these: fortunately, the file name on abandoned pictures displays, and you can - when the internet is back up again - drag and drop them back if there are only a few.
When the internet resumes you can continue
If you have solar power, a battery backup, or a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) then it depends on whether during the transition, your internet continues as normal. If so, then you have no concerns.
However some systems have a millisecond interrupt during the transition from ESCOM to battery, and if this causes your internet to reset or reboot, you will have problems. Typically, even if the interruption is only for a minute, then the upload procedure will abandon all your remaining pictures.
If there are only a few and you have done all your editing, then it is worthwhile reloading them (only when the internet is back up - just drag them back on top of the filename marker), but if you had just begun and had not done too many edits, then it may be easier to just begin again.
The important thing to note is that so long as your upload page on your computer stays on, and you can reload (or delete) the observations where the pictures did not load, then you can still complete the process, do all your edits, and upload your observations.
Even if the power goes down for several hours, if your upload screen stays on, you can resume your work when the power returns. The upload window will remain active for several hours after you started it (successfully for me after 6 hours), so even after long power outages, you can just resume when the internet is restored.
You can even do some editing when the power is off - obviously, processes requiring the internet won't work, so you cannot add species identifications, or observation fields, or do mapwork, but you can rearrange the photos into the observation cards, and you can add notes.
General:
It is best not to be caught out. Plan your uploading with the load-shedding schedule in mind, and don't start large uploads that won't finish before the next blackout.
Bear in mind that over one million users will likely be uploading, so the iNat system may be a little slower than normal. Allow extra time.
Note too, that you have until the evening of 7 May to upload your observations, so don't panic if ESCOM declares a Stage 9 or 10. (OK you can panic, but it won't be because of your uploading for the City Nature Challenge - you will have plenty of time - 7 days after the CNC to upload your observations!)
Load-shedding will also affect identifications, but the Identification Curation Tool can cope with blackouts, and you can resume any time after the internet is restored and your computer is working. If your Curation page shut down, merely reload it or click on the link provided by your curator in your city's journal page and continue where you left off.
From https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/154461/journal/78818
