City Nature Challenge
The competition has three categories for cities to compete:
1) The most field observations made during the competition
2) The most diverse account of species
3) The largest number of participants
Bragging rights among some of the most progressive cities in the world are up for grabs. Calgary’s biodiversity will be mapped at a scale never documented before. Don’t forget about the contributions we make to urban biodiversity research around the world.
City Nature Challenge 2021 will be the biggest year yet with nearly 400 cities globally participating. 23 Canadian cities are taking part with five in Alberta! View the complete list here. Check out the Global iNaturalist project or focus in on the Canadian cities. If you’re interesting in learning about how the event has grown since its inception in 2016, check out this page.
Areas in Alberta:
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There is nature all around us, even in our cities! Knowing what species are in our city and where they are helps us study and protect them, but the ONLY way to do that is by collecting information that allows us to understand them.
Cities are difficult places to study because of they are dynamic, fragmented, and complex ecosystems. Having scientists, land managers, and the most importantly citizens working together helps us to build community and an understanding of urban environmental conditions. By participating in the City Nature Challenge, not only do you learn more about your local nature, but you can also make your city a better place – for you and other species!
CNC YYC 2019
Each city has defined their own urban boundary which all observations must occur within. Calgary’s area include the municipalities of Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks, and Chestermere. You can view the map on the iNaturalist project page.
Any photo or audio clip that is taken April 30-May 3 and uploaded to iNaturalist.ca before May 9 (Midnight) AND within the CNC YYC 2020 boundaries will automatically be included in Calgary’s CNC 2020 entry. Observations can be made in any type of habitat including your yard, alleyway, sidewalk, rooftop, park, schoolyard, everywhere and anywhere within Calgary’s city limits. Make as many observations as you can April 30-May 3 to help Calgary’s stats during the City Nature Challenge.
iNaturalist can be used anywhere in the world, so get familiar before the competition by downloading the app and practicing making/uploading observations.