The Unseen World Challenge invites patrons to explore subtle and easily overlooked signs of life such as lichen, spider webs, fungi, and small hidden habitats found in everyday surroundings. Participants photograph what they discover and *upload their findings to iNaturalist, or engage with the Seek app in real time revealing that even brick walls and sidewalks support tiny ecosystems.

Rather than searching for obvious wildlife, participants focus on evidence of miniature life and ecological interactions. Through careful observation and digital documentation, they discover that biodiversity exists in unexpected places, including within human-built environments.

This can be adapted for all ages and lends itself well to intergenerational programming.

Using this program with iNaturalist works well for community members aged 13 and up and could be a good activity for after school clubs and programs. 

Kids under 13 could have trouble downloading the app. An alternative app for kids under 13 is Seek. 

A ten minute introduction followed by examples, thirty minutes of exploration, and ten to fifteen minutes of iNaturalist uploading and group discussion.

Users will need smartphones / tablets with cameras and iNaturalist or Seek installed. Magnifying lenses may be included as well as notebooks for field notes. Choose a safe and accessible outdoor space with varied surfaces such as trees, walls, fences, and pavement.

Begin by introducing the idea of the unseen world and share examples of small scale biodiversity including lichen, spider webs and fungi. Encourage curiosity and close attention to detail. Teach participants how to take clear close-up photos with their devices and review basic safety and respectful observation practices. participants then explore the area independently or in small groups, looking closely at surfaces such as bark, walls, rocks, fences, and cracks in pavement to find subtle indicators of life.

After the exploration period, participants upload their photographs to iNaturalist to learn about identifications and to see how their discoveries contribute to broader biodiversity patterns. Conclude with a group discussion about surprising finds and the ways organisms inhabit small or built environments. Wrap up by encouraging participants to continue exploring urban biodiversity at home or in their neighborhoods.

Participants build close observation skills, develop scientific curiosity, recognize micro ecosystems and hidden biodiversity, learn how to use iNaturalist for community science, and practice photographing and documenting their findings.

Facilitators may provide pre photographed examples for participants who need support, choose paved or accessible routes for exploration, or pair tech confident youth with peers who benefit from assistance.

Ideas for deepening engagement include creating a digital gallery of participant photographs, inviting a biologist or naturalist for a follow up session, or developing a display highlighting hidden ecosystems revealed through the challenge.