During the first quarter of 2025, the Namibian Nature Foundation organized a two-part citizen science program beginning with an information evening at the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) on March 27, followed by a practical field training session at Farm Windhoek on March 29. The initiative attracted 50 participants for the evening session and 13 for the hands-on field training, including students from Namibia University of Science and Technology, NBRI and National Museums of Namibia staff, and members of the public.

The workshop featured three key presentations from Dr. Francois Becker highlighted the JRS Project’s focus on southeastern Namibia; Alice Jarvis introduced the Environmental Information Service (EIS) platform, demonstrating registration processes and resource utilization for Environmental Impact Assessment and JRS Project PI, Frances Chase, provided comprehensive training on iNaturalist, covering registration, photo uploads, and platform navigation.

The practical training component successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of iNaturalist for real-time field observations. While the Namibia EIS platform presented some implementation challenges, the overall program effectively prepared NBRI staff for their subsequent field expedition from April 5-16. During April fieldwork, the foundation extended training to local farmers and conservation stakeholders, including a representative from the Bondelswarts Conservancy. The program aims to engage conservancy rangers in future training sessions, recognizing their strategic position for effective app utilization.

The initiative represents a significant step in democratizing environmental data collection and building local capacity for biodiversity monitoring across Namibia’s diverse ecosystems. Read more about the Incorporating Succulent Plant and Animal Species Information into Conservation Planning project here.