How it works
About us
Use cases
A citizen science tool for your environment and community.
Get a chronolog.
It all starts with a story. What’s unique about your environment? What natural feature do you want to highlight? What does your community care about? These answers can help you choose the location for your first chronolog!
Want inspiration? Explore the map or see use cases.
What's included?
The bracket
The three-sided bracket helps contributors align their phones in order to take consistent photos
3.5” wide. 3” long. 3.5” tall. 9 oz.
100% fill nylon, manufactured to last years even in harsh climates.
The instruction sign
We design and manufacture a unique sign for every chronolog. Share your organization's logo, as well as any sponsors or partners, and we'll create a proof for you to review and approve.
6" wide, 13" tall, 0.080" thick
Aluminum with a cast vinyl laminate.
Automated email service
Our cloud-based application receives photo submissions via email, aligns and crops them, and appends them to the right time lapse. It also sends a reply email, thanking contributors for their particiation. This reply comes at the most engaging moment, while the visitor is still standing in front of the scene. This helps them care about and understand environmental change, turning every visitor into an advocate.
Public webpage
The public chronolog page refers to the webpage for an individual chronolog. It includes the time lapse as well as details about the physical location and greater organization. It has a unique URL you can share. It is discoverable by anyone online.
Set up your chronolog.
Frame the scene. Use your own phone camera as a viewfinder to find the perfect spot to set up your new chronolog.
Install the chronolog
We mail the bracket, instruction sign, and mounting hardware to you. Either set a 4x4 post into the ground, or find an existing structure to mount the photo station.
Who installs my chronolog?
Chronolog will provide the required materials and ship them to you for you to install.
Where should I install my chronolog to get the most contributors?
Chronologs installed near heavily trafficked areas result in the most public engagement, but some organizations set up chronologs for their staff to use too.
Finalize the details
From the Organizer Dashboard, you can edit the coordinates of the photo station along with other details about your organization. Hide photos that don’t align well, customize your public chronolog webpage, and add social media links.
Who can access the Organizer Dashboard?
Identify up to 5 members to have access to your chronologs, and we'll set up accounts for them.
What details should I add?
You can describe what is being monitored and even share links to promote upcoming events or volunteer opportunities. You can browse existing chronologs for inspiration.
Monitor. Observe. Educate.
Let the fun begin! You never have to check in on the chronolog again. No need to continually advertise either, since people just walk by it. Unlike most other community engagement platforms, chronologs are completely self-sustaining.
Passerby submit photos.
When the first photo is uploaded to your chronolog, its webpage will automatically become discoverable. Add fuel to the fire by sharing in the news or on social media.
How are photos submitted?
Contributors submit photos to chronolog via email. The simple instructions are explained on the sign that we provide. Public engagement is high because users do not need to download an app or create an account to participate.
Who adds the photos to the time lapse?
Photos are automatically processed and added to the time lapse so that it is always up to date. All photos are also automatically moderated before being published and can be removed by organizers at any time.
Utilize the photos.
As an Organizer, you’re given full access to high resolution copies of all the photos submitted to your chronologs. Repurpose the collected photos for educational content, social media promotion, research, decision making, and project proposals.
Can I access the photos that are submitted?
Yes. Anyone can download any photo submitted to chronolog to be repurposed for any means.
Monitor the environment.
Engage your community.
Get a chronolog
For nature-lovers
Explore chronologs
For organizations
Chronolog is a monitoring tool for parks, nature centers, wildlife organizations, schools, and museums worldwide. With over 100,000 contributors across 300 organizations, Chronolog is on a mission to engage communities with nature while recording important natural changes.
© Chronolog 2024 | Terms