How much nature can we discover when we start looking more closely?
On 25 September 2026, HCMR will bring Citizen Science and iNaturalist to European Researchers’ Night in Heraklion, as part of the STEPS – Science for Growth: Empowering Minds project.
The activities are coordinated by Sofia Giakoumi (HCMR-IMBRIW), iNaturalist Ambassador in Greece, as part of HCMR’s citizen science and science communication activities.
Visitors will have the opportunity to discover how iNaturalist can help anyone observe and document biodiversity, try the app themselves, and learn how a simple observation of a plant, animal, fungus or other organism can contribute to biodiversity knowledge.
Beyond biodiversity recording, the activity will also highlight the educational potential of iNaturalist and Citizen Science. By encouraging participants to observe closely, ask questions, identify organisms and share their findings, iNaturalist can support experiential learning and help people develop a deeper awareness of the nature around them. The City Nature Challenge 2026: Athens Metropolitan Area, coordinated locally by HCMR, will be presented as an example of how iNaturalist can be incorporated into educational and public-engagement activities, bringing students, educators and citizens closer to biodiversity.
The activity also connects European Researchers’ Night with iNat Together, iNaturalist’s global campaign encouraging people to get outside, meet others and explore nature together.
And the exploration will continue beyond Researchers’ Night. Two outdoor iNaturalist activities will take place alongside HCMR freshwater fieldwork in Crete:
📍 26 September | 10:00 | Kazanos Stream
📍 27 September | 11:00 | Mills Gorge, Rethymno
No previous experience with iNaturalist is needed. Participants are invited to bring their phones, their curiosity and their interest in discovering the biodiversity around them.
The observations made during these activities can contribute to the iNaturalist project “Let’s iNat Together in Crete! 🌿”, running from 25–28 September 2026.
Exploring nature is better together.
