Apps - iNaturalist
Plant, Insets, Animal Identification App. One of the best I’ve found and use is: A Community for Naturalists · iNaturalist.
Very handy in identifying weeds or unknown plants on the farm, on my walks/travels….but also identifies lots of plants, trees, flowers, weeds, fungi, shells, scats, insects and animals!!
TED Talk - iNaturalist
In just over 10 minutes, I highlighted stories from the community:
how a birdwatcher’s photo of a moth on a hotel balcony helped rediscover a species lost for decades,
how a community member uncovered a new praying mantis species on her casual walk
how all around the world, millions of similar acts of noticing nature (by people like you) are reshaping science, conservation, and all of us.
Every observation and identification fuels the actionable hope that the iNaturalist community brings to the world. You inspire me. I hope this talk inspires you, too!
Apps - WeedScan
Bringing AI smarts to tackling Australia’s priority weeds. Built for Aussies by Aussies, WeedScan protects our environment, farms and communities
If you want to manage a weed effectively you need to know what you’re dealing with.
We have developed weed profiles for 398 weed species that provide management information, data on their distribution, images and links to key documents and weed management literature.
WeedScan is powered by a CSIRO AI identification model trained on more than 120,000 weed images and tested across Australia by scientists, farmers, community groups, agronomists, rangers, weeds and natural resource management officers.
It’s an identification, recording and alert system for over 450 priority and other weeds, backed by the latest management information to support cooperative weeds action Australia-wide.
Who can use WeedScan?
WeedScan is a free resource which allows registered users to make a record of a suspect weed for formal verification.
Part of a local Landcare, Bushcare or regeneration group? Create your own in-app group to share your records and observations for improved weed control. Plus, using the embedded weed biology and management information relevant to your location, you can alert State and local land managers of new incursions.
How does WeedScan work?
Simply snap a photo of a plant you suspect is a weed and upload it to WeedScan. The AI model assesses your photo against verified images of weeds. Within seconds, WeedScan suggests possible plant identifications, with degrees of confidence for each suggestion. WeedScan is available as a web or mobile app (Android and iOS).
VicFlora Flora of Victoria
VicFlora is a comprehensive and current guide to the wild plants of Victoria. The species profiles and identification tools that make up this richly illustrated resource are provided by Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria free of charge for use by land managers, scientists, students and anyone else with an interest in the Victorian flora. The platform currently provides resources for vascular plants (including seed plants and ferns) and bryophytes (mosses, liverworts and hornworts).
Feral Scan
The FeralScan app is a free, community-driven tool developed by the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions to help Australians monitor and manage pest animals across the country. Detailed info and instructions are on the website
🐾 Key Features
Species-specific tracking: Users can log sightings, damage, and control activities for pests like:
Wild dogs
Deer
Rabbits
Feral cats
Foxes
Feral pigs
Mynas, starlings, toads, mice, goats, and even feral fish
Interactive maps: Visualise pest activity in your area and across regions.
Data sharing: Entries contribute to national databases used by councils, researchers, and Landcare groups.
Mobile-friendly: Available as an app and via FeralScan’s website.
