It's easy to participate!

  • Create an account at iNaturalist if you haven't already
  • Find details about in-person events at our iNaturalist project page and join the project to receive updates
  • Take and submit your photos of animals and their signs (tracks, scat, feathers, etc.), plants, and fungi you find during the challenge.
  • Download the the iNaturalist app on Android or Apple.
Hoary Tansyaster, Credit Laurel Ladwig

City Nature Challenge

City Nature Challenge is a global collaborative effort to find and document wildlife observations of all kinds (birds, insects, plants, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and more) on iNaturalist from April 24-27, and help ID sightings through May 10th. Over 400 cities on 6 continents are participating in the 11th annual City Nature Challenge!

Learn more about the global City Nature Challenge at https://citynaturechallenge.org/. This is a great opportunity for folks of all ages to get outside this spring and explore nature. Start making observations now to learn the program--it is amazing how often it will identify what you have spotted right away, but someone may identify it in the days or weeks later, too!

Resources for using iNaturalist

Finding Observations for iNaturalist in your Neighborhood

Sandia Mountain Natural History Center shares information in a quick video on how to go on a neighborhood safari.

iNaturalist video tutorials

Guides straight from iNaturalist on how to make observations

City Nature Challenge PDF

A quick, easy to read guide all in one PDF.

iNaturalist virtual training

Sandia Mountain Natural History Center guides you through all the steps to using iNaturalist.

Ready to participate?

Join our project for updates about events!