About the YAN app

The YAN app was a pilot for a nature monitoring app. It functioned in teams, with one team administrator being approved by the project coordinator, and team members approved by the administrator. This concept is meant to ensure that the app is safe for youth - for example, team leaders being responsible for moderating pictures that are shared through the app. Team members could define monitoring plots they were interested in, and in these areas they could report species of fauna or flora that they saw, as well as some environmental data like cloud cover or temperature. They could also upload pictures of their observations.
​Anyone on the app could see the data collected by users, and the app generated graphs to make data easier to visualize.

Why an app?

Apps facilitate community science, which has been shown to be effective in the Arctic to follow population health in endangered species, as well as to monitor environmental factors. Apps make it easier to collect, store, share and download data.
While there are other apps for nature monitoring, making a dedicated app that is safe for youth, easy to use, flexible, scalable, and easy to translate was necessary for the project.

App pilot tests and results

​The YAN app was tested in variety of contexts, such as a crab monitoring project, to report sightings of birds, whales or seals, or as an activity for youth and school groups. It worked well for different activities and many users reported being very interested in using an app like this for their work as scientists or educators. However, it was also found that the ultimate goal of the app was unclear to many users, emphasizing the need for further development. Educators wished the app were more attractive and user friendly, even for those with limited knowledge of species and biology, while scientists found limitations in the app regarding the extent and flexibility of the data that could be reported. Further design, target user consultation, and development is needed to update the prototype to satisfy both goals and create a clear and coherent product.
Based on the success and interesting challenges encountered with this first pilot, as well as the clear need for a similar concept expressed by users, we are hoping to revisit this concept in the future.​