Where does the data come from?

Wildlife observations come from iNaturalist, a joint initiative of the California Academy of Sciences and National Geographic where millions of people post photos of what they find and a community of experts identifies them. Weather forecasts, soil temperature, and ten-year frost history come from Open-Meteo. Zip code locations come from the free Zippopotam.us service, and USDA hardiness zones from PHZMAPI. None of it requires an account.

How accurate are the results?

They reflect what people have reported, not a scientific survey. Busy parks get more reports than private land, and charismatic species like monarchs get reported more than hover flies. Where accuracy matters most, in the invasive species tool, we only count research-grade observations, meaning at least two identifiers agreed.

Do the tools work outside Long Island?

Yes. Every tool accepts any US zip code. The native plant database is strongest for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic and flags plants by region; for the West and South we point you to the National Wildlife Federation and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center finders.

Why doesn't the bird tracker use eBird?

It can. eBird requires an API key, which the site operator can add to enable eBird's recent and notable sightings alongside the iNaturalist data shown by default.

Tools

What's living in your zip code?

Seven free tools built on community science and weather data. Type a zip code, see what people have actually documented nearby, check your frost dates and this week's planting forecast, and find out what to plant and when.

Wildlife near you

What people have documented around your zip code.

Invasive Species Near YouWhich of 40 problem plants and pests have been documented within 10 to 50 km of your zip code, with ID tips, what to do, and native replacements.Monarch TrackerMonarch sightings by month for this year and last, recent photos, egg and caterpillar reports, and which milkweeds grow near you.Pollinators Near YouThe most-reported bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, hover flies, and sphinx moths in your area over the last three months.Bird TrackerBird species observed near your zip code in the last 30 days, with photos.

Plan your garden

Your frost dates, planting windows, and native plants for your conditions.

Native Plant FinderFilter 45 native plants by your region, USDA zone, sun, soil moisture, and goals like monarchs, hummingbirds, shade, or containers.Garden CalendarYour average frost dates from ten years of local weather, a 7-day planting and pollinator forecast with soil temperature, this season's task list, and what's blooming and seeding near you.Seed Saving CalendarWhich natives are ripening now near you, how to collect and clean each one, stratification needs, and the dates to start stratifying or winter-sowing for your frost dates.

About the data

How the tools work

Where does the data come from?: Wildlife observations come from iNaturalist, a joint initiative of the California Academy of Sciences and National Geographic where millions of people post photos of what they find and a community of experts identifies them. Weather forecasts, soil temperature, and ten-year frost history come from Open-Meteo. Zip code locations come from the free Zippopotam.us service, and USDA hardiness zones from PHZMAPI. None of it requires an account.
How accurate are the results?: They reflect what people have reported, not a scientific survey. Busy parks get more reports than private land, and charismatic species like monarchs get reported more than hover flies. Where accuracy matters most, in the invasive species tool, we only count research-grade observations, meaning at least two identifiers agreed.
Do the tools work outside Long Island?: Yes. Every tool accepts any US zip code. The native plant database is strongest for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic and flags plants by region; for the West and South we point you to the National Wildlife Federation and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center finders.
Why doesn't the bird tracker use eBird?: It can. eBird requires an API key, which the site operator can add to enable eBird's recent and notable sightings alongside the iNaturalist data shown by default.

Looking up observations…