April 13, 2026
Scott Buckel introduces iNaturalist, a free app and online platform used to record observations of plants and animals. Learn how it works, why people use it, and how your observations can contribute to community science. The presentation concludes with tips for the upcoming City Nature Challenge, a global event that encourages people to document local biodiversity.
About the Speaker
Scott Buckel spent his childhood days exploring the “wild” areas near his home in Houston. He developed an interest in animal behavior, which led him to study biochemistry in college. He also worked at maintaining fish, growing plants, and collecting marine invertebrates. He spent weekends looking for birds and other wildlife along the coast and piney woods of Texas.
Scott also studied photography on his own, driven in part by his continued interest in animal behavior. His skill improved, and the positive feedback he received fueled his growing passion for photography.
Scott’s interests compelled him to seek travel opportunities, which allowed him to observe and film nature. Through reading, workshops, and participation in photography clubs–in addition to a great deal of practice–he learned many ways to enhance his skills.
Through the years, his photographic interests expanded to include other forms and styles of photography. Film gave way to digital, and the tools available for digital photography allowed him to achieve the exceptional results he had always dreamed of. Now, much of the photography he does is to document nature, and he is an avid user of iNaturalist.
Hosted by the Environmental Institute of Houston, University of Houston-Clear Lake.
