Using Chronolog as a Community Science Tool at Gallogly Nature Sanctuary and Stella Niagara Preserve

Since September 2022, the Western New York Land Conservancy has utilized exciting community science technology at two of our preserves. If you've recently visited our Margery Gallogly Nature Sanctuary (Grand Island) or our Stella Niagara Preserve (Lewiston), you may have noticed them: three Chronolog installations.

What is a Chronolog installation? It's a device that allows visitors to align their cell phones at a particular location and snap a photo any time they go for a hike at Gallogly or Stella Niagara. Visitors can then email their photos to Chronolog (instructions for doing this are marked at each installation) to be included in a timelapse chronology of that location. To demonstrate what this looks like in practice, here are stills from Stella Niagara Preserve.

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  September 18, 2022

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  July 3, 2025

"Community science is one of the most powerful tools we have," Josh Balisteri, our Stewardship Director, points out. "It makes people slow down and notice otherwise benign scenes in nature. They're not just walking—they're engaged in conservation efforts."

When visitors are using Chronolog as a community science tool it allows us to witness positive or negative changes in the forest or meadow over time. Since we can't always be there to document the changes, it's really helpful when our community gets involved and shares the data with us. We monitor these timelapse videos with great interest.

In time, depending on community engagement, we may install additional Chronolog devices on other preserves. For now, you'll find two devices at Gallogly and one at Stella Niagara. The next time you visit these wonderful preserves, we encourage you to pull out your cell phones and get involved in our ongoing community science project.

Want to see this tool in action? Watch these timelapse videos.

Gallogly Nature Sanctuary #1

Gallogly Nature Sanctuary #2

Stella Niagara Preserve