Information for recorders- submitting records for the City Nature Challenge without using the app

How does this work?

This year we are providing the option for recorders to sumbit their records for the City Nature Challenge without needing to use the app themselves. Records will need to be sent to RECORD via email; we'll then upload them onto the app on your behalf as well as adding them to our main database (Swift). This option is only for any observations you are able to confidently identify yourself. If you are unsure what something is, you are encouraged to use the app instead.

Where should I send the data?

Please email your records to info@record-lrc.co.uk

What format is needed?

It is easiest for us if you're able to send a spreadsheet, but other formats (emails, word documents etc.) are also fine. Please make sure you include the following information:

• Species (or taxon) name. To make things easier for us we would prefer if you can look up a scientific name for the species. However common names are also fine if you are unable to do this.
• Date recorded
• Grid reference (or what.3.words)
• Description of the location (e.g. 'Grosvenor Park')

Note that a photo or other evidence is not neccessary, just the above information.

When is the deadline?

If you would like them to count towards our total, please email your non-app records to us by 30 April at the latest. This is to allow us time to upload them onto the app before the end of the week when the totals are counted up.

Important to note:

Records uploaded will need to be uploaded to the iNaturalist platform to count towards our total - this means we need your permission to do this. We have a very short permission form which will be emailed to you when we receive your records.

Records will be uploaded to iNaturalist using RECORD's account. This means it is not possible to attribute the records to yourself on iNaturalist (i.e. they will have a general 'Recorder name' and not your own name on the app). Please note that we use an open (CC0) license on our account so please do not fill out the permission form if you are not happy with your records going onto iNaturalist under this license.

We will also upload the records to our main database (Swift). You will be provided with a copy of the ts and cs for this in the above-mentioned permission form.

What if I want to take part but do not want RECORD to upload my records to iNaturalist?

This is absolutely fine! We understand that some people may not want their records going on the app. Please do still share your records from the weekend with us using the normal routes (Swift, iRecord etc.) - every record is important for local conservation. It is worth noting however that only records on the iNaturalist app will count towards our Chester region statistics and towards our place on the UK and global leaderboards.

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