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Participation in the City Nature Challenge April 24-27 aids scientists’ research, CSUSB professor says
CapRadio (Sacramento)
April 23, 2020
An article taking a look at the City Nature Challenge 2020, April 24-27, from the statewide perspective included mention of the Inland Empire effort led by Bree Putman, Cal State San Bernardino assistant professor of biology. In the Inland Empire and Los Angeles, the report said, scientists think there will be an influx of photos of reptiles uploaded this weekend.
“It's the mating season for some lizards. So, you might catch lizards in action,” said Putman. “Male alligator lizards will bite on to the necks and heads of females and sometimes there might be two males biting the head of a single female, and people will observe this right next to their pool in their backyard.”
She says this project is important because it allows for mapping species across a region rather simply.
“There would be no logistical wait for a single scientist to conduct these types of research,” said Putman. “It's great partnering with the public because then they have a stake in their research and what are the current conservation concerns in our region and how they can help.”
Read the complete article at “Bored at home? Join a global science experiment this weekend. All you need is your phone.”
IE to participate for first time in City Nature Challenge, April 24-27, led by CSUSB
Inland Empire Community News
April 23, 2020
As citizen science – scientific work done by the general public often working with or under the direction of professional scientists and scientific institutions – increases in popularity, the fifth annual, worldwide City Nature Challenge is coming to San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Even as residents comply with the safe-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic, they can still participate.
The goal of the City Nature Challenge, taking place April 24-27, is to document as much nature as possible. Current and aspiring citizen scientists, nature and science fans, and people of all ages and backgrounds will be called on to observe and submit pictures of wild plants, animals, and fungi using the free mobile app iNaturalist, said Bree Putman, an assistant professor of biology at Cal State San Bernardino, who is coordinating the event locally.
“The City Nature Challenge will embrace the collaborative aspect of sharing observations online with a digital community as participants document their local biodiversity to the best of their ability within public health parameters regarding COVID-19,” she said.
Putman said even if participants are unable to take photos of wildlife, they can focus their efforts on identifying species documented in their area – even those documented before the City Nature Challenge.
“Now more than ever, it’s important to foster a sense of community, and the City Nature Challenge allows us to do just that,” Putman said.
Read the complete article at “IE to participate for first time City Nature Challenge, April 24-27.”
Fear and uncertainty from COVID-19 pandemic could lead to new forms of extremism, CSUSB professor says
Voice of America
April 23, 2020
Brian Levin, director of CSUSB’s Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, was interviewed for an article on how far-right extremists have been linked to bombing plots, promoting conspiracy theories and attending rallies protesting stay-at-home orders, all related to the COVID-19 pandemic and in an effort to expand their ranks.
Levin warned that fear and uncertainty spawned by the pandemic could lead to new forms of do-it-yourself extremism.
"You will not only see extremist groups exploit this, but you will also see unstable people with wild card ideologies that we haven't heard much before," Levin said. "We might see medical personnel, journalists, public officials get harassed."
Read the complete article at “How far-right extremists are exploiting pandemic.”
These news clips and others may be viewed at “In the Headlines” at inside.csusb.edu