February 4, 2024

Invertebrate monitoring workshop creates a buzz

I’m a life-long learner. I’m all about keeping that brain ticking over and making the most of new opportunities to expand my own knowledge.

So, when my work as a partnerships ranger puts me in contact with knowledgeable people, willing and able to share their knowledge, I jump on the chance.

I recently supported a new initiative, running a three-part workshop on how to monitor terrestrial invertebrates. The response from the volunteer community was immediate, with registrations full within days of sending out the flyer. Obviously, we have a lot of life-long learners out there!

Led by Rob Cruickshank, UC lecturer and entomologist, supported by council educator Tracy Irving, Wikipedian Mike Dickison and science communicator Morgane Merien, the workshop covered learning how to set pan and pitfall traps, and other collection methods, then using iNaturalist NZ to obtain identifications from experts and record your finds.

Participants were an interesting mix of teachers, restoration project leaders, community garden enthusiasts, macro-photographers and new residents of our fair city Ōtautahi who came to together with their shared love of learning.

New resident Shamla said; “my intention coming here is to meet new people and learn new things and also new organisms, learn about them expand my knowledge.”

Another new resident Greg said; “it's mostly about our section and vegetable gardens - increasing helpful insects, looking out for natives and discouraging non-natives.”

Rangatahi Heath; “So I've been fascinated with invertebrates since I was three years old and I mostly just came here to expand my knowledge about them. And I'm also quite curious about what could be in my backyard. I'm considering doing a little bit of trapping just to see what's there.”

Rima: “We've got a wetland restoration going on. But being into biodiversity, you know, generally when people get going on that kind of thing, they're interested in birds and plants. But without insects, we don't get birds and plants. So I’m trying to get people more enthusiastic about insects as well.”

Educator Tracy said; I do a whole wide range of environmental programmes so I have a little bit of knowledge across the board. But I'd like to deepen that and I love the look on people's faces when they turn over a log and they see lots of bugs so I want to know more.”

Each of the three sessions included some hands-on learning through action, as we all took part in setting the traps then clearing and sorting the finds, labelling and looking at what we found through microscopes.
We also practicing making observations using the iNaturalist app and talked about the upcoming City Nature Challenge.

I love that with iNaturalist I can indulge my interest in knowing more about the world around me in little bite-sized observations.

It’s always inspiring to be surrounded by life-long learners, supported by experts that are happy to share their knowledge in an open and accessible way, to nurture our sense of curiosity.

As well as the knowledge you gain, workshops like these also enhances social inclusion and active citizenship, as we connect with others with shared interests. We hope that all these new entomologists will take these new skills and use them out in the real world!

Posted on February 4, 2024 07:43 PM by smankelow smankelow | 5 observations | 0 comments | Leave a comment

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