City Nature Challenge is an annual, global event that encourages people in cities around the world to observe and document the biodiversity present in their urban environments using iNaturalist. Cities compete with each other in a friendly competition to see which location can document the most species in their local area. This year, it will take place over a four day weekend: April 25-28, 2025
We are the 2024 National Champions
Help Us Keep Our Title in 2025!
Intro to City Nature Challenge
How It Works
Go Outside
Explore your backyard, neighborhood, parks, or any natural area between April 25-28, 2025.
Find Wildlife
It can be any WILD plant, animal, or any other evidence of life (like tracks and feathers) found in and around San Antonio.
Take a Picture
Take a picture or record the sound of what you find. Be sure to note the location of the critter or plant.
Share
Upload your observations to iNaturalist.
Create a free account HERE if you don’t already have one!
Repeat
The more observations you make, the more data you contribute to San Antonio’s totals!
Not familiar with iNaturalist?
iNaturalist is an app that enables users to observe, record, and share observations of plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms in the natural world. It allows individuals to document their sightings by uploading photos and making notes about the species they encounter. Like social media, users can engage with a community of fellow nature enthusiasts by sharing their observations in order to create a comprehensive database of biodiversity worldwide.
Ways to Participate
As an Individual
Be part of the excitement of City Nature Challenge 2025 in and around the San Antonio Metro Area!
By participating, you’ll help showcase local biodiversity and contribute valuable information to science – all while enjoying nature!
Want to see what other people are finding or help with identifying other people’s observations? Join the project on iNaturalist.
In a Team Tournament
Compete in the Team Tournament. Be the team with the most observations and/or species – find your Nature Team and get wild!
With Your High School
Calling all high school students, staff, friends and family to join your favorite high school for some friendly competition in finding nature. Campuses gearing up include: Clark, Harlan, Holmes, McCollum, Taft and the Homeschoolers.
NOTE: You must join the project for your observations to count.
On Your Campus
Calling all University/College students, staff, alumni, family, and friends to join your favorite school for some friendly competition in finding nature.
Campuses gearing up include: Northeast Lakeview,
Northwest Vista, Palo Alto, UTSA, UIW, Saint Mary’s, St. Philip’s, San Antonio College, TAMU-SA, Texas Lutheran, Trinity
NOTE: You must join the project for your observations to count.
With Your Community
Calling all community groups, corporate teams, and civic groups for a bit of friendly competition to find nature in your backyards, local parks, and nature areas.
Go out together, host an event, or attend one of our City Nature Challenge events to contribute valuable data. Showcase that you have the wildest group in and around San Antonio.
See a list of current groups HERE.
Don’t see your group above?
Click HERE to add it.