Eric Ralls and the Internet of Nature Connecting People Data and the Living World
Written by Wyles Daniel
The idea of an Internet of Nature is gaining traction across science and environmental circles. It describes a growing digital layer where artificial intelligence, open data, and everyday human observation combine to document life on Earth in real time. Instead of nature being studied only through institutions and field stations it becomes visible through millions of small daily interactions. A photo taken on a hike, a bird spotted in a backyard or a plant growing between sidewalks can all become part of a shared global record. Few people have been as central to turning this concept into a working system as Eric Ralls.
Earth.com, along with EarthSnap, have both created platforms, allowing individuals to identify the realities of our planet as well as providing a way for people to submit valuable information at scale. Together, they illustrate the evolution of the recent changes occurring in the way information is collected, disseminated, and applied regarding our environment. Instead of the public having to simply accept the role of "passive" consumer of scientific information, these systems give every person the opportunity to be an active participant in the creation of knowledge. The result is a system that combines informal education, data collection through observation, and applied environmental knowledge into a single ongoing and immersive experience that we could use in our daily lives.
From Science Media to a Connected Natural World
Eric Ralls did not arrive at the Internet of Nature by accident. His career has consistently focused on making complex scientific subjects accessible to broad audiences. Early ventures such as Cosmiverse and RedOrbit demonstrated how digital platforms could translate technical topics into engaging public resources. Those experiences later shaped his approach to environmental science which requires both accuracy and clarity to earn public trust.Earth.com launched in 2016 as an environmental news source. The website seeks to provide the public with up-to-date information on the environment by reporting daily on environmental issues, and providing a way for readers to see how stories are anchored in research and validate the data behind them. The intent of Earth.com is to allow readers to understand not only what is occurring in nature, but also why it is important. As Earth.com continued to grow, it became the origin of a larger ecosystem for connecting readers with content they found interesting and for allowing them to contribute data.
This foundation made it possible to build EarthSnap a mobile application that extends learning into the field. Where Earth.com informs EarthSnap engages. Users take photos of plants, animals, fungi, and landscapes and receive identification and context in return. In the process they generate observations that help form a living map of biodiversity.
Defining the Internet of Nature
In interviews Eric Ralls describes the Internet of Nature as the convergence of citizen science, artificial intelligence, and open data into a continuously evolving picture of life on Earth. For decades biodiversity data existed largely within universities and government agencies. That work remains essential but it is often slow and limited by funding and geographic reach. What has changed is the scale at which individuals can now participate.Ralls explains that ordinary users contribute simply by photographing what they encounter. A single image of a wildflower or bird carries information about location, season, and species presence. When millions of these observations are responsibly aggregated patterns emerge that were previously invisible. According to Ralls this shift turns everyday curiosity into a meaningful scientific contribution.
Trust is the foundation of this approach. Users need to have confidence that their data will be treated with respect and that scientists will rely on the quality of the information collected. Developing trust is now one of the main challenges and goals for both EarthSnap and Earth.com.
How EarthSnap Turns Observation Into Data
EarthSnap operates on a simple exchange. Users take a photo and receive an identification along with educational context. In return the platform gains an observation that can be used to better understand biodiversity distribution. The simplicity of the interaction hides a complex backend that must account for variation in image quality similar looking species and uneven data coverage across regions.Ralls believes that attaining accuracy at a large scale should be viewed as an ongoing journey rather than a final destination. Each data point collected and added to the system will improve the system; however, it will also introduce other obstacles to be overcome. Creating a ''just right'' system is not the ultimate goal; rather, the intention of Ralls and his team is to continually enhance and evolve their systems using responsible approaches to collecting and utilizing data. Some of Ralls' greatest concerns are protecting sensitive places (including where endangered animals live) and ensuring users' privacy.
The unique quality of EarthSnap is that it promotes real-time awareness, unlike other apps that restrict users from finding out what species they identified until later, EarthSnap users are actively involved in a discovery process and creating an instant connection with a worldwide network. This instantaneous involvement continues to motivate users, while creating a growing database reflecting today’s environment as opposed to just historical images.
Citizen Science as Infrastructure
Citizen science is often framed as a supplement to professional research. In the Internet of Nature model it becomes infrastructure. Millions of small contributions combine into a system capable of tracking change across time and geography. This shift has implications far beyond individual identification.Ralls points to the potential for tracking species migration, invasive species spread, and changes in flowering or breeding seasons. These patterns are critical indicators of environmental change yet they are difficult to monitor through traditional methods alone. With sufficient participation citizen generated data can fill gaps and provide early signals that guide conservation efforts.
Importantly this does not replace expert analysis. Instead it creates a richer input stream for researchers, policymakers, and conservation organizations. By lowering the barrier to participation EarthSnap expands who gets to contribute while maintaining standards that make the data usable.
Education Through Participation
Another long term impact of the Internet of Nature is educational. When users identify a plant or animal they learn its name, role, and ecological context. Over time these moments build literacy in biodiversity and environmental systems. Ralls has argued that meaningful education often begins with personal relevance. Seeing a species in one's own environment creates a connection that abstract information cannot.Earth.com complements this by providing broader context through reporting and analysis. Together the platforms form a feedback loop where curiosity leads to learning and learning leads to contribution. This cycle reinforces engagement without relying on spectacle or oversimplification.
Balancing Openness and Responsibility
Openness is central to the Internet of Nature but it carries responsibility. Ralls has spoken candidly about the risks of exposing sensitive data or eroding trust through misuse. Protecting endangered species locations, ensuring ethical data use, and maintaining editorial judgment are ongoing concerns.This balance reflects a broader tension in digital science platforms. Speed and scale must be weighed against accuracy and care. Ralls has noted that while the internet often rewards sensationalism science requires humility. Earth.com and EarthSnap aim to model a different approach where growth does not come at the expense of credibility.
A Forward Looking Environmental Network
Looking ahead, Ralls envisions nature discovery becoming ambient. Identification and contextual knowledge will feel like a layer over everyday life rather than a separate activity. Cameras will replace search bars and information will appear in context. In this future the Internet of Nature becomes less about technology and more about awareness.Citizen science will also become more structured. Better verification methods, shared standards, and collaboration between platforms and institutions will increase the impact of individual observations. A single photo could contribute to conservation planning, climate adaptation, or educational research.
Throughout this evolution Eric Ralls remains focused on the core mission that has guided his career. Technology is a means not an end. Its value lies in helping people notice, learn, and reconnect with the living world around them.
Building a Shared Record of Life on Earth
The Internet of Nature is still emerging but its outlines are clear. It is a network built from everyday curiosity supported by thoughtful design and ethical responsibility. Through EarthSnap and Earth.com Eric Ralls has helped translate this idea into a working system that blends education observation and long term environmental insight.As more people participate the record of life on Earth becomes richer and more immediate. Patterns once hidden in isolated datasets begin to surface. Conservation efforts gain new tools and individuals gain a deeper connection to their surroundings. In this way the Internet of Nature is not just a technological development. It is a cultural shift in how humans relate to the planet.
By inviting ordinary users into the process of discovery Eric Ralls has shown that global environmental action can begin with something as simple as paying attention.
