COSAM News Articles 2022 September Help Auburn University tackle the Marble Bowl and make a contribution to science

Help Auburn University tackle the Marble Bowl and make a contribution to science

Published: 09/27/2022

You can help record local ecosystems while you get ready for this year’s Iron Bowl.

As anticipation builds for the Iron Bowl, make a difference documenting wild plants, animals (not including pets), fungi, and other organisms. Your time and effort will help Auburn University win the Marble Bowl. That’s right – the Marble Bowl.

And all you need is your smartphone.

You can take unique observations of nature with your phone and upload them online where Auburn will receive points to win against the other university.

All observations must be taken in the state of Alabama until Nov. 27, 2022.

What do you need to do?

Sign up for a free inaturalist.org account and then you must join the project: Marble Bowl – Auburn University. If you do not join the project, your data will not count toward an Auburn win.

Here are the simple steps after you create your free inaturalist account:

1 - Search projects for the Marble Bowl 2022 - Auburn University:

Image of inaturalist page showing a search box for the Marble Bowl 2022 - Auburn University

2 – Click on the join button:

3 – Click on the “Yes, I want to join” button:

Once you join, you can easily see recent observations, side-by-side score comparisons and even a map of the submissions.

The Marble Bowl is the creation of Wesley Anderson, an Alabama Extension forestry, wildlife and natural resources specialist, in conjunction with Auburn University Museum of Natural History and Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, and Alabama Museum of Natural History.