Get involved!

A screenshot of the iNaturalist observations page. From the top, it reads: "iNaturalist; search (search bar); Explore (underlined in green); Your Observations; Community; Identity; More; Observations; search (search bar); location (search bar); Go; Filters; Greater Cape Floristic Region (outlined in orange); 1,805,403 Observations; 21,968 Species; 10,475 Identifiers; 15,749 Observers. A map of South Africa is shown at the bottom with many orange-red pixels along the coast. To the right, it reads: "Blue Ladieshand (Cyanella hyacinthoides), patches of blue petals rest on a low stem; Brown Fur Seal (Arctocephalus pusillus), a seal sits atop a rock in the waters; African Pengiun (Spheniscus demersus), a pengiun swims in the water with it head sticking out; Copper Fingerfig (Malephora purpureocrocea), an orange-yellow flower blooms amid pointed green leaves; Paterson Sheepfig, a plant with purple stem and green leaves, is partially shown

BioSCape iNaturalist project

If you are in the Western Cape of South Africa, you can participate by making observations on iNaturalist, a citizen science platform. We will use these observations in research to assess spatial variability in species richness across the Greater Cape Floristic Region. 

A sketch of a river flower in a valley. In the background is a mountain range. The sky is blue

For GIS beginners, this course introduces you to basic theories and functionalities. It will cover topics like GIS data models, GIS processes, map production, spatial anaylsis and modelling. After finishing the course, participants will understand these basic principles and will have applied them in ArcGIS. Learn more here or check the calendar for upcoming classes. 

Accredited by Stellenbosch University

A mountain range is shown in a spectra of colors to showcase imaging spectroscopy

This course lays the foundation for learning basic principles and techniques of remote sensing. Topics include reflectance characteristics, digital imagery, satellite systems and GIS integration. Upon completion, participants will be able to apply earth observation workflows to ArcGIS Pro. For more details, click here or check the calendar for upcoming classes. 

Accredited by Stellenbosch University

A large group of people of all ages raise their hands in the air for a candid. At the top lies logos from NASA (a blue circle with a red swoosh and white specks in the background. The letters "NASA" are front and center in white), the United States of America's Government (an eagle has its wings and legs spread wide within a white background), DailySocial (same name in yellow), and @america (same name with fireworks at top. The bottom reads "Explore Experience Experss"). The back reads: Competition. NASA - International Space Apps Challenge. A two day global event for software developers to compete in creating new technological solutions for space exploration and social needs. To participate in the competition, please visit www.spaceappschallenge.org for more information

Apply to become a local lead for the 2023 NASA Space Apps Challenge.

Apply by June 15!

A four-part collage shows images from remote sensing (mostly high ariel shots of landscape). In the middle is a white box with pixels bleeding into the four images. The text reads: Intermediate ARSET Webinar: Biodiversity Applications for Airborne Imaging Systems March 27 - April 05 11-12:30 EDT (UTC-4)

This training series first highlighted the use of hyperspectral Visible to Shortwave Infrared (VSWIR) imaging spectroscopy data, for example from AVIRIS-NG and PRISM instruments, for measuring and monitoring terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity (e.g., mapping plant or phytoplankton functional types). Then, the series focused on using thermal and lidar data for characterizing the structure and function of ecosystems using airborne campaigns including the Hyperspectral Thermal Emission Spectrometer (HyTES) and NASA's Land, Vegetation, and Ice Sensor (LVIS).  Learn more here.

The words "Great Southern Bioblitz" overshadow the globe in black letters. The globe itself depicts two large patches of green land with surrounding islands in a large body of blue water

The Great Southern BioBlitz 2023 is an opportunity for all Southern Hemisphere countries to record organisms during spring and showcase our beautiful biodiversity to the world. The event is run by a grassroots network of keen citizen scientists from across the globe from November 24th to 27th. Learn more here.