Atlas of Life

Atlas of Life is a brand that encompasses a citizen-science project focused on the coastal wilderness and hinterlands of the south-eastern corner of Australia. This project aims to foster understanding and stewardship of the environment by encouraging community involvement in scientific endeavors. It was initiated in 2011 by a small group of individuals who recognized the biological importance of the region and sought to document its biodiversity.

The Atlas of Life has since grown to involve hundreds of people and numerous organizations, functioning as a volunteer, non-profit organization and a registered environmental organization. Their objectives include encouraging lifelong learning about nature, developing tools and activities to build scientific research capacity within the community, and creating a valuable resource of biodiversity data for scientists. They also collaborate with government and non-government agencies and organizations and strive to maintain political neutrality.

Individuals of all ages and abilities, both locals and visitors, are encouraged to be involved in the Atlas of Life program through contributing nature observations, attending field days and workshops, and suggesting stories for publication. The brand also has a strong affiliation with various partner organizations, including the Sapphire Coast Science and Sustainability Hub and the Nature Coast Marine Group. Overall, Atlas of Life is dedicated to engaging the community in the understanding and appreciation of the natural environment and building a comprehensive database of biodiversity data for the benefit of scientists, educators, and the community