Seeding Action and iNaturalist are delighted to announce a new group of science centers, museums, and public engagement organizations selected to develop creative planetary health initiatives using iNaturalist, a free app that connects people and nature. With the generous support of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Seeding Action and iNaturalist have partnered as part of a multi-year program designed to promote planetary health action through engagement with iNaturalist.
2026-2027 Seeding Action with iNaturalist cohort members will design and implement efforts that use iNaturalist to encourage local forms of action. They will participate in a yearlong capacity building effort, wherein they will work together to develop their unique projects, offer feedback, learn more about iNaturalist’s capabilities, and Seeding Action’s approach to cultivating a culture of hope and action. In addition, they will be part of a larger effort to research and assess planetary health program design, deepening our collective understanding of the components of planetary health initiatives that result in key participant outcomes and lead to sustained and meaningful change.
The members of the 2026-2027 Seeding Action with iNaturalist cohort include:
- American Museum of Natural History
- Cranbrook Institute of Science
- Discovery Center at Murfree Spring
- ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
- EcoTarium
- Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium
- Friends of Tryon Creek
- Houston Climate Justice Museum
- Museum of Science, Boston
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
- Planet Bee Foundation
- Science Museum of Virginia
- The Nurture Nature Center
- Think Wild
These organizations will join a growing community of science centers and museums utilizing iNaturalist, including the members of the initial Seeding Action with iNaturalist cohort currently implementing a wide array of planetary health projects. The 2025-2026 cohort is composed of:
- California Academy of Sciences
- Dayma
- Indigenous Earth
- Invasives Canada
- Montshire Museum of Science
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
- Natural History Museum of Utah
- Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
- San Diego Natural History Museum
- Sciencenter
- South Dakota Discovery Center
- The WaterShed
In addition to supporting funded cohorts, Seeding Action and iNaturalist are working to support science centers and museums interested in incorporating iNaturalist into their planetary health endeavors by offering free customizable signage, including A-frames, banners, and wall signs, as well as a social media toolkit filled with guidance for creating messages spotlighting innovative uses of iNaturalist.
To learn more about Seeding Action with iNaturalist and to join the interest list to receive notifications about the next funded cohort application cycle, please visit Seeding-action.org/inaturalist/.