For New Members!

Welcome to the Mammals of the Quabbin project!

I've always wanted to participate in an iNaturalist project dedicated to Quabbin mammals, but I couldn't find one that fit the bill. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands and create a project with that specific focus!

Building the project was quite the adventure. I wanted to define the Quabbin as a rich, diverse region rather than just a body of water. To achieve this, I created and imported a new place into iNaturalist called the "Quabbin Reservoir Region." This approach allows the project to automatically include the various ecosystems associated with the Quabbin, such as red and white oak forests, red pine, birch, hemlock forests, wetlands, swamps, talus slopes, and bedrock outcrops (Amherst College, 2008). This ensures that the wildlife within these bounds is accurately accounted for.

When the project launched, it had around 716 observations. In just six months, we've seen a fantastic increase to 847 observations—about a 20% jump in Quabbin mammal sightings! Considering iNaturalist was founded in 2008 and has been around for 16 years, this is a remarkable achievement.

Representation is key to building a thriving community. As of June 2024, 22% of the people contributing observations to this project are active members, and that number continues to grow as more people explore the Quabbin. This diverse participation is what makes our community vibrant and strong.

In conclusion, I created this project to foster a deeper appreciation for the mammals inhabiting the Quabbin region and to provide a platform for the community to collaborate on projects, present research, and participate in group field outings. Your involvement and passion are what will make this project truly special. I hope you enjoy being a part of this exciting journey!

Big announcements to come, stay tuned!

Brendan

Posted on June 18, 2024 03:42 PM by bmaher222