Calling all nature (smart phone) lovers! Do you love Western North Carolina and all of its natural beauty? Do you find yourself taking photos of plants or animals that you encounter on your hikes? Do you love to WIN competitions while also supporting scientific research? Then join us for the 2019 City Nature Challenge!
What is the City Nature Challenge
Western North Carolina is one of three regions in the state competing in the 2019 City Nature Challenge, a global citizen-science competition to be held April 26 – April 29. Throughout the four-day event, WNC residents are encouraged to get outside and celebrate their region’s biodiversity by taking photos of plants and animals found in their communities and uploading them to iNaturalist, a mobile application featuring images of nature taken by citizens from around the world. Participating cities or regions who make the most observations of nature, find the most species and engage the most people will be named the winner of the 2019 City Nature Challenge and support scientific research worldwide.
Launched in 2016 and organized by the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the City Nature Challenge started out as a regional event between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Since then, it has grown to include more than 170 cities with more than 441,000 observations made. Within the state of North Carolina, Western North Carolina will be competing against the Charlotte metro area and the Triangle.
How to Participate
1.) Download iNaturalist, a free mobile application on your iPhone or Android device, and join the City Nature Challenge WNC Project.
2.) From April 26 – 29, go outside (in your backyard, park or nearby natural area) and take pictures of wildlife, including plants and animals (no pets, please!).
3.) Upload your photos to iNaturalist and tell your friends to join in on the fun! **Children 12 & under can submit their photos via ecoexplore.net.
Special Events
As part of the City Nature Challenge, several WNC organizations will host events over the weekend to encourage participation and assist with iNaturalist training. In addition, the WNC Nature Center and Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be designated City Nature Challenge observation spots for the general public and for private groups. Events include:
Friday, April 26
- Wildflower Hike at the Buckeye Recreation Center on Beech Mountain
- Nature Challenge Hike at the Highlands Biological Station
Saturday, April 27
- Cradle Community Bioblitz at The Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah National Forestry
- Mountain Science Expo Bioblitz at The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville
- Junior Ranger Program at Grandfather Mountain
- Nature Challenge Hike at the Highlands Biological Station
Sunday, April 28
- Junior Ranger Program at Grandfather Mountain.
The city or region who make the most observations of nature, find the most species and engage the post people will be named the winner of the 2019 City Nature Challenge and support scientific research worldwide!