“Sonja Bernadotte Award for Paths to Nature Education” 2023 for Flora Incognita

The “Sonja Bernadotte Award for Paths to Nature Education” is annually presented by the German Horticultural Society 1822 (DGG) and serves as a recognition for outstanding achievements in the field of nature education. The award aims to raise awareness about the importance of nature education and experiences, strengthen commitment to nature education, and provide financial support for such efforts. In 2023, the recipient of the Sonja Bernadotte Award is the plant identification app, Flora Incognita. The board justified their decision by stating that “Germany’s most popular plant identification app is not only appreciated and used by amateurs, but is also now employed and recommended by botanists.” The selection statement highlighted its high scientific standards and its significance as an interdisciplinary citizen science project. “It is an excellent example of the meaningful and profitable use of artificial intelligence, contributing to the democratization of knowledge and modern paths of nature education, both in the formal education of children, youth, and students, as well as in informal adult education.”