Every observation counts
You don't need to be a scientist to contribute to reef research. By recording what you see — a turtle, a coral, a piece of debris — you add to a growing body of real data that helps researchers and managers protect the Great Barrier Reef. LIPS works with four leading citizen science programs. Here's how you can get involved.
iNaturalist — Low Isles & Surrounding Reef
iNaturalist is a global community science platform where anyone can record wildlife observations using a smartphone. Each sighting is verified by the community and added to a shared biodiversity database used by scientists worldwide.
A dedicated place page exists for Low Isles and the surrounding reef. Every observation you log there builds a living species checklist for Wungkun.
- Download the free iNaturalist app (iOS & Android)
- Photograph any plant, animal or fungi you observe at Low Isles
- The community helps identify what you've found
- Your record is added to the Low Isles species checklist automatically
- No scientific knowledge required — beginners very welcome
Eye on the Reef
Eye on the Reef is the official citizen science monitoring program of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. It enables anyone visiting the reef — tourists, divers, snorkellers, fishers — to record reef health observations and wildlife sightings directly to the Marine Park's database.
LIPS volunteers already participate in Tourism Weekly Monitoring and Rapid Monitoring surveys through this program.
- Record reef health, animal sightings and incidents
- GPS-tagged observations submitted directly to GBRMPA
- Simple app — no prior training required for the Sightings Network
- Advanced Rapid Monitoring available with optional online training
Great Barrier Reef Legacy
Great Barrier Reef Legacy is a non-profit research, education and multimedia organisation working to document, protect and share the story of the reef. They are a valued LIPS partner, connecting our work at Low Isles with broader reef science and public awareness.
GBR Legacy led the Amplifying Citizen Science project — a pilot program based off Port Douglas combining multiple citizen science datasets into a single reporting platform.
- "Reef in a Box" educational kit for local schools
- Far North Super Coral expedition documentation and video
- Support for the 1928–29 GBR Expedition anniversary programs
- Reef health media coverage across the northern GBR
Tangaroa Blue Foundation
Tangaroa Blue Foundation coordinates the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) — a national network of over 1,000 partner organisations engaging more than 120,000 volunteers to clean and monitor Australia's coastlines.
LIPS works with Tangaroa Blue on annual clean-ups at Woody Island and remote sand cays, submitting debris data to the national AMDI database to drive source reduction and policy change.
- Annual Woody Island clean-up with data collection
- Monthly debris data sheets submitted to the AMDI database
- Clean-up events at Cape Kimberley, Yule Point & Snapper Island
- ReefClean program funded under the Australian Government's Reef Trust
Ready to contribute? Start with iNaturalist — download the free app, photograph something you spot at Low Isles, and your observation joins a living record of reef biodiversity. Every photo matters.
Open Low Isles on iNaturalist