Mobile technologies | Mobile apps to collect, record and collate fieldwork data | Field of Mars EEC
Resource overview
Mobile technologies is a curated list of mobile apps that support fieldwork planning and data collection, organised by purpose so teachers and students can choose tools that match their investigation. It includes options for plant and animal identification, water quality, spatial data collection, fieldwork safety, navigation and citizen science, helping Stage 4–6 fieldwork teams efficiently record observations, capture primary data and collate results for analysis.
Mobile apps
Use the list of useful apps below to assist in your fieldwork.
Plant identification
Trees near me
The Trees Near Me NSW app, a project of the Department of Planning and Environment, shows you what plants are growing now, and what used to grow, throughout our state.
iNaturalist
iNaturalist helps you identify plants and animals with visually similar suggestions and verification by dedicated contributors. Get connected with a community of over a million scientists and naturalists who can help you learn more about nature! By recording and sharing your observations, you'll create research-quality data for scientists working to better understand and protect nature.
Arboreal tree
The app uses AR technology in your phone to measure the distance from the tree and the angle to the top of the tree to get an estimate of its height.
(Apple devices only)
BioCollect
BioCollect is an advanced, but simple-to-use data collection tool for biodiversity science. It was developed by the Atlas of Living Australia in collaboration with many organisations to assist users in collecting field data for their own projects as well as to enable new biodiversity data to be easily copied into the ALA where it can be available for others to use in research, policy and management. This allows individual projects to collectively contribute to “big science”.
Animal identification
NSW Field Guide – Australian Museum
Explore and identify the unique and diverse fauna of New South Wales. Field Guide to NSW Fauna is a valuable tool for anyone with an interest in wildlife. Use it in urban, bush and coastal environments to learn more about the animals around you. Browse over 1000 species including birds, mammals, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, insects, arachnids and more.
iNaturalist
iNaturalist helps you identify plants and animals with visually similar suggestions and verification by dedicated contributors. Get connected with a community of over a million scientists and naturalists who can help you learn more about nature! By recording and sharing your observations, you'll create research-quality data for scientists working to better understand and protect nature.
Frog ID
Australia's first national frog identification program.
Big City Birds
The project focuses on five bird species: Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Australian Brush-turkey, Australian White Ibis, Little Corella, and Long-billed Corella. Their whereabouts, behaviours, communal roosts, and nest sites are of interest to researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, and the University of Sydney.
Feral Scan
Record pest animal activity in your local area to protect farms, biodiversity and communities.
Waterbug
The Waterbug App v2.0 allows you to complete a Waterbug Survey so you can add a river health assessment to The National Waterbug Blitz.
BioCollect
BioCollect is an advanced, but simple-to-use data collection tool for biodiversity science. It was developed by the Atlas of Living Australia in collaboration with many organisations to assist users in collecting field data for their own projects as well as to enable new biodiversity data to be easily copied into the ALA where it can be available for others to use in research, policy and management. This allows individual projects to collectively contribute to “big science”.
Water quality
Eye on water
How healthy is our water? What does the colour indicate? Use this measurement app to contribute measurements, and join the EyeOnWater community.
Waterbug
The Waterbug App v2.0 allows you to complete a Waterbug Survey so you can add a river health assessment to The National Waterbug Blitz.
Spatial data
EpiCollect5
Epicollect5 is a free and easy-to-use mobile data-gathering platform. It provides both the web and mobile application for the generation of forms (questionnaires) and freely hosted project websites for data collection.
ARC Survey123
Use Survey123 to capture reliable data from familiar devices while either online or offline. With surveys published to ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise, data is securely uploaded to ArcGIS for further analysis.
Fieldwork safety
Emergency plus
‘Emergency +’ is a national app developed by Australia’s emergency services and their government industry partners, helping people to call the right number at the right time, anywhere in Australia. Emergency + also includes SES and Police Assistance Line numbers as options, so non-emergency calls are made to the most appropriate number.
Hazards near me
Hazards Near Me NSW shows information and warnings about bush fires and floods across NSW, using information directly from emergency services.
Navigation
All trails
AllTrails is a fitness and travel mobile app used in outdoor recreational activities. The service allows users to access a database of trail maps, which includes crowdsourced reviews and images.
Relive
Easily track all your outdoor activities and turn them into beautiful stories, including animated 3D videos.
Citizen science
iNaturalist
iNaturalist helps you identify plants and animals with visually similar suggestions and verification by dedicated contributors. Get connected with a community of over a million scientists and naturalists who can help you learn more about nature! By recording and sharing your observations, you'll create research-quality data for scientists working to better understand and protect nature.
BioCollect
BioCollect is an advanced, but simple-to-use data collection tool for biodiversity science. It was developed by the Atlas of Living Australia in collaboration with many organisations to assist users in collecting field data for their own projects as well as to enable new biodiversity data to be easily copied into the ALA where it can be available for others to use in research, policy and management. This allows individual projects to collectively contribute to “big science”.
Frog ID
Australia's first national frog identification program.
Big City Birds
The project focuses on five bird species: Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Australian Brush-turkey, Australian White Ibis, Little Corella, and Long-billed Corella. Their whereabouts, behaviours, communal roosts, and nest sites are of interest to researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, and the University of Sydney.
Feral Scan
Record pest animal activity in your local area to protect farms, biodiversity and communities.
Eye on water
How healthy is our water? What does the colour indicate? Use this measurement app to contribute measurements, and join the EyeOnWater community.
Abiotic factors
A selection of equipment and instruments used to measure and record non-living factors
Biotic factors
A selection of equipment and instruments used to measure and record living factors
Learn with us
Book now
Check dates and book a secondary excursion or incursion with Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre.
Learning programs
Explore the Field of Mars EEC secondary geography and science fieldwork excursions.
Learning resources
Find digital learning resources and lesson ideas created by Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre.
Flora and fauna fact sheets
Read our curriculum aligned animal, plant, environment and habitat fact sheets for use in the classroom or at home.