BEREA, Ky. — If you’ve ever snapped a photo of a strange mushroom, a bird you couldn’t name, or a plant you swear you’ve never seen before, here’s your chance to help turn “What is that?” into real data.
The Berea College Forestry Outreach Center is hosting an iNaturalist I.D.-a-thon on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The goal is simple: help identify wildlife observations already logged from the forest so they can be classified more accurately—moving them closer to a confirmed species ID.
🔎 What an “I.D.-a-thon” Actually Looks Like
This isn’t a hike, and it’s not a lecture. It’s more like a community work session—drop in, pull up observations, and help label what people have seen.
The Forestry Outreach Center says no experience is needed, and asks participants to bring a computer (preferred) or a smartphone to join in identifying iNaturalist observations.
If you’re new to iNaturalist, don’t worry: the point is learning as you go. Think of it as a low-stakes way to get better at noticing details—leaf shapes, feather patterns, bark texture—while helping build a clearer picture of the biodiversity in the Berea College Forest.
🌳 Why It Matters in Berea
Berea’s trails are used year-round by hikers, families, students, and birders. Many of those visitors also log sightings on apps like iNaturalist. But observations only become truly useful when they’re identified and verified. Events like this are the “behind the scenes” work that turns a casual photo into something researchers, educators, and the public can actually learn from.
And it’s a great winter activity: you can participate without muddy boots, and still feel like you spent your Saturday doing something outdoorsy-adjacent.
🗓️ Make a Half-Day of It
The Forestry Outreach Center also lists Forest Meditations (10–11 a.m.) and a Group Hike at the Pinnacles (1–3:30 p.m.) on the same day, which makes Jan. 31 an easy pick for anyone who wants a “choose your own adventure” Saturday—quiet time, citizen science, or a guided hike.
IF YOU GO
What: iNaturalist I.D.-a-thon
When: Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 (Update – Rescheduled for Feb 28th)
Time: 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Where: Berea College Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea
Bring: Laptop (preferred) or smartphone
Cost: Free; no experience needed