As we all work to define our "new normal" of social distancing and protection from the threat of the novel coronavirus, the Friends Board is grateful that Titanic Memorial Park remains a place where we can all exercise and enjoy the beauty of nature. It has been wonderful to see the increased use of the Park (with proper social distancing) as Spring unfolds.
City Nature Challenge
The City Nature Challenge has undergone major modifications in light of the global pandemic. The focus now is on observing nature in your own backyard, and this can be done through entire month of April, not just the last weekend. DC's 2020 City Nature Challenge leaders will provide on-line webinars to teach participants how to become involved. The first webinar, iNaturalist 101, will be held:
- Friday, April 9, 2020
- 12:00 noon
We'll send an update next week with information about how you can connect to this webinar through Zoom.
iNaturalist 101 will cover the basics of using the iNaturalist app and provide more details about the re-vamped City Nature Challenge.
At any time, you can visit the iNaturalist website and:
- Create an iNaturalist account
- Join the City Nature Challenge 2020: Washington DC Metro Area project
- Download the Android or iPhone app
- Practice taking photos of naturally occurring plants and animals and posting them in iNaturalist. Jump right in, or look at their online tutorials
Even in these days of social distancing, there are ways to connect with neighbors and other observers in the iNaturalist community. Explore the observations that have already been made in our neighborhood, and send requests to observers you'd like to follow. Feel free to follow me (Corinne, iNat handle @oneRtwoNs) -- I'll be making observations in the Park throughout April.
Anacostia Watershed Stewards Academy
Looking for more on-line learning? The Anacostia Watershed Society has re-tooled its Watershed Stewards Academy to offer initial classes on-line. There are still available slots! Visit the Watershed Stewards Academy page for more details and to sign up.
More from the National Park Service
The latest National Park Service Public Health Update is posted here. Please continue to visit this page for the latest status as you plan trips to any of our National Parks in the region.
Hope to see you from a safe distance in the Park!
Corinne Irwin, Chair