New app to identify wildflowers

Geraldton and Mid West residents are invited to identify wildflowers with a free new mobile phone application.

The “CRFwildflowers” app was developed by Chapman River Friends volunteers Alice James and Virginie Fuhrmann.

The free interactive guide features photos and information about 112 species of flora found in Chapman River Regional Park.

Users can search by characteristics — plant habit, flower colour, flowering season — whittling down the options until the mystery plant can be identified.

No professional botany experience is needed.

Information on each species common, scientific and family names is also provided.

The app is also designed to be fully functional without a phone signal once it has been downloaded.

New Assistant Minister for the Environment Melissa Price celebrated World Environment Day by launching the app at Spalding Park on Tuesday with Northern Agricultural Catchments Council and Chapman River Friends representatives.

Assistant Minister Price said the app was really impressive, and a great resource to help both locals and tourists understand more about the Mid West’s natural assets.

“The Chapman River Friends have done a fantastic job sharing this knowledge with locals and visitors through an informative brochure, free guided walks and now this new program,” Assistant Minister Price said.

“The app is a wonderful tool and quite unique in Australia, so it’s a great example of how we can develop a greater tourism product through innovation.”

App developer Alice James said Chapman River Friends developed the app to encourage more people to get actively involved in learning more about the wildflowers in the Chapman River Regional Park, and other natural areas.

“We encourage community members and visitors to download the app and give it a go. We would love if this inspired them to become more involved in conservation activities throughout the region.”

This project is supported by the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.