City Nature Challenge

The City Nature Challenge is an international effort for people to find and document plants and wildlife in cities around the globe.

Which city will upload the most observations of wildlife using iNaturalist Canada? Join the challenge! It’s a fun, easy, family-friendly opportunity to get outside and connect with nature by documenting local biodiversity.

From April 28 to May 1, 2023, take pictures of wild plants and animals and submit them to iNaturalist. All observations submitted to iNaturalist within that time frame will automatically be added to the challenge.

Step 1: Download the iNaturalist app 

If you prefer to submit your observations from a computer, you can do so via the iNaturalist website.

Step 2: Take pictures

Pro tip: If you are taking pictures and submitting your observations with your mobile phone, enable location permissions so your record will be automatically georeferenced.

Step 3: Share on iNaturalist

At this point, you don’t need to identify the species you have observed.

From May 2 to 7, participants from all over the world will contribute by adding scientific names to the recorded observations. When several people agree, the record becomes “research grade,” which makes it relevant for research worldwide.

Check out participating communities in real time

Please try to avoid posting observations of captive or cultivated organisms, especially trees and plants that are in gardens and arboretums. If you really want to include them, just be sure to tick the “captive/cultivated” box for the observation.

Follow the principles of outdoor ethics: Leave areas, objects and plants as you found them, and take nothing but pictures.

Use #CityNatureCanada to share pictures of your outings, on social media.

Find the National Capital Region group on any of the following:

• iNaturalist
• Instagram