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
Find Wildlife
It can be any WILD plant, animal, or any other evidence of life found in your city.
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
Share your observations through iNaturalist. Note: If it’s planted or taken care of by people it is not WILD. Mark it captive/cultivated!
What is 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
Our San Antonio Metro Area is actively involved, collaborating with other Texas Urban/Metro Areas through TPWD-TNT and Texas Master Naturalist. Be part of the excitement of City Nature Challenge 2025-San Antonio Metro Area! Check out individual fun games during iNaturalist CNC2025 to boost your motivations.
Embark on a delightful iNaturalist adventure with our “Fun Bingo” designed for novice users.
Simply download the PDF sheet and let it be your guide in making iNaturalist observations. Check off the boxes as you make each observation.
In a Team Tournament
Compete in the new Team Tournament. Be the team with the most observations and/or species – find your Nature Team and get wild!
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:
UTSA, UIW, SMU, Trinity, Alamo, A&M, TLU
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 CNC2024 events to contribute valuable data. Showcase that you have the wildest group in the SA-Metro Area.
See a list of current groups HERE.
Don’t see your group above? Contact us at [email protected] to register your team!