The 189 acre Catawba Ecological Preserve and the 300 acre Catawba Wildlife Refuge gives people of the state of NC a unique learning opportunity. The combined 489 acres is used daily by individuals, school groups, bird waters, nature lovers, families all with the same question what is out here? As lead of a team that consists of fellow Catawba students, Payden Mitchell and Eli Whittum we have started working on an application that can be accessed through an app on your phone, computer or IPad.ξ

This app when opened will allow others to upload photos, find descriptions, using GPS flag on the map where and what you found.ξξIt will allow everyone who enters this area to become environmental stewards as well as educating the public on a Citizen science are project. A benefit would be that by bringing in volunteers we would introduce new questions and thinking. Another benefit is that by bringing in volunteers would spread awareness of mans impact on the environment.