Ways to Participate
City Nature Challenge (CNC) is your chance to explore the natural world around you—and help document the incredible biodiversity of the San Antonio Metro Area.
Whether you’re participating on your own, with a school, a campus, or a community group, every observation shared on iNaturalist contributes real data to science while helping our region create a permanent biodiversity record.
Now, choose the path that fits you best and jump in!
How would you like to participate?
Be part of the excitement of City Nature Challenge—no team required.
Explore your neighborhood, a local park, or your own backyard and share what you find on iNaturalist. You’ll be helping scientists better understand local biodiversity while enjoying time outdoors.
You can also:
- See what others are finding
- Help identify observations made by participants across the region
- Learn more about local species along the way
View the 2025 City Nature Challenge San Antonio Metro Area results
Love a little friendly competition?
Join (or form) a Nature Team and compete to see which team can document the most species and identifications during CNC. It’s a fun way to explore together, build community, and celebrate biodiversity.
Registration Deadline: April 19, 2026
Calling all high school students, staff, friends, and families!
upport your campus in a friendly competition to document as much biodiversity as possible during CNC using iNaturalist. Every observation counts—and contributes to real scientific research.
Participating is a great way to:
- Support real science
- Earn community service hours
- Count as a community service project
- Show school pride through discovery
How to join the high school competition:
First, use the “Join High School” button below to see whether your high school has already joined.
If your school is listed, simply click the school name and then the “Join” button.
Don’t see your high school listed? Use the Register Your High School button.
Registration Deadline: April 19, 2026
Calling all college and university students, staff, alumni, families, and friends!
Join your campus community in documenting biodiversity across San Antonio—from green spaces and trails to courtyards and campuses.
Turn your community into a nature-exploring team!
The Community Nature Challenge invites neighborhood, social, and recreation groups to document wild plants and wildlife using iNaturalist as part of the Global City Nature Challenge.
Why Participate?
- Make a real impact — your observations support scientists and land managers
- Bring people together — fun, social, and family-friendly
- Join a global event — happening worldwide
Who Can Join?
Community groups are non-nature-based groups with a shared social interest.
Examples include:
- Neighborhood & Social Groups – HOAs, apartment/condo groups, Facebook or Nextdoor communities
- Social & Hobby Groups – Book clubs, movie clubs, photography (non-nature), walking or fitness groups
- Recreation & Sports Groups – Bowling leagues, running groups, yoga/wellness, golf leagues, recreational cycling
How to Get Started
Join Your Community Project
- Search for your team in “Community Nature Challenge San Antonio” umbrella project
- Log into iNaturalist.org .
- Select your team: Community Nature Challenge 2026: <Your Group Name>
- Tap/Click “Join”
Don’t See Your Group Listed?
Registration Deadline: April 19, 2026
What happens next:
- CNC creates your custom Community iNaturalist project
- Your project is added to the official Community list
- You invite community members, friends, and family to join
- Recommended team size: 8+ (no maximum)
Important to Know
- You must join your specific Community project for observations to count
- Join one Community project, but you may also participate in:
- Team Tournament
- Civic & Corporate
- Campus Challenges
Registration Deadline: April 19, 2026
Community Celebration: May 17, 2026 (see event calendar)
Your community project will be added to the Community Nature Challenge Project once registered.
The Civic Nature Challenge invites nature-based civic and volunteer organizations to contribute their expertise, field skills, and community leadership to a shared regional biodiversity effort.
This challenge aligns perfectly with the missions of conservation-focused organizations by combining citizen science, volunteer service, and land stewardship within the Global City Nature Challenge.
Why Civic Organizations Participate
- Advance conservation science through high-quality biodiversity data
- Support land managers and researchers with verified observations
- Engage trained volunteers in meaningful, mission-aligned service
- Strengthen collaboration across regional conservation partners
- Represent your organization in a global community science event
Eligible Civic & Volunteer Organizations
The Civic Nature Challenge is designed for nature-based groups, including:
- Texas Master Naturalist chapters
- Audubon Society chapters
- Native Plant Society chapters
- River and watershed volunteer groups
- Conservation and habitat restoration nonprofits
- Pollinator, birding, herpetology, and botanical groups
Field experience encouraged, but not required; training and mentoring are welcome.
How Civic Groups Participate
Join Your Civic Organization Project
- Search for your team in “Community Nature Challenge San Antonio” umbrella project
- Log into iNaturalist.org .
- Select your team: Civic Nature Challenge 2026: <Your Group Name>
- Tap/Click “Join”
Don’t See Your Organization Listed?
Registration Deadline: April 19, 2026
What happens next:
- CNC creates your custom Civic iNaturalist project
- Your project is added to the official Civic Challenge list
- You invite volunteers, members, and affiliates to participate
- Recommended team size: 8+ (no maximum)
Important to Know
- Participants must join their organization’s specific Civic project for observations to count
- Individuals are encouraged to join one Civic Team project, but may also participate in:
- Community Nature Challenge
- Corporate / Workplace Challenge
- Team Tournament
- Campus Challenges
Registration Deadline: April 19, 2026
Community Celebration: May 17, 2026 (see event calendar)
Your community project will be added to the Civic Nature Challenge Project once registered.
Turn your workplace into a nature-exploring team.
The Corporate Nature Challenge invites companies, agencies, and workplace teams to explore and document local biodiversity using iNaturalist, while building teamwork and supporting real-world science.
Why Participate as a Workplace Team?
- Support sustainability & CSR goals with measurable impact
- Strengthening team connections through a fun, inclusive activity
- Boost employee engagement & wellness—indoors or outdoors
- Contribute real biodiversity data used by scientists and land managers
- Join a global community science event happening worldwide
- Bragging rights included – top teams are recognized and celebrated at the CNC Celebration
Who Can Participate?
The Corporate Nature Challenge is open to:
- Private companies and corporations
- Government agencies and departments
- Utilities, healthcare systems, and financial institutions
- Nonprofits, foundations, and professional associations
- Workplace teams, divisions, or employee resource groups (ERGs)
No nature or science experience required.
How to Get Started
Join Your Workplace/Corporate Team Project
- Search for your team in “Corporate Nature Challenge San Antonio” umbrella project
- Log into iNaturalist.org .
- Select your team: Corporate Nature Challenge 2026: <Your Group Name>
- Tap/Click “Join”
Don’t See Your Organization Listed?
Registration Deadline: April 19, 2026
What happens after registration:
- CNC creates your custom Corporate iNaturalist project
- Your project is added to the official Corporate Challenge list
- Your invite employees, colleagues, friends, and family to participate
- Recommended team size: 8+ (no maximum)
Important to Know
- Participants must join their unique organization’s specific corporate project for observations to count
- Individuals may join one corporate team, but can also participate in:
- Community Nature Challenge
- Team Tournament
- Campus Challenges
Registration Deadline: April 19, 2026
Community Celebration: May 17, 2026 (see event calendar)
Your community project will be added to the Corporate Nature Challenge Project once registered.
Great for Internal Reporting
Participation provides:
- Observation counts and species totals
- Team participation metrics
- Optional recognition for sustainability or wellness reporting
We can’t wait to see what you discover during this year’s City Nature Challenge!