College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
City Nature Challenge
Celebrate Our Local Nature, Join the City Nature Challenge
The University of Iowa is collaborating with Green Iowa AmeriCorps and Johnson County communities to join 700+ cities around the world in documenting nature as part of the City Nature Challenge! You can contribute to citizen science during this global biodiversity challenge no matter where you are in Johnson County! From April 26-29, 2024, take photograph WILD plants and animals in backyards, in parks, along city streets, on school grounds, or any place in Johnson County.
Simply use iNaturalist to upload your photos and add them to the Johnson County Project.
2024 Participation
Participating is Easy:
1. Download the iNaturalist app and make an account (Apple) (Android)
2. Take photos of WILD plants, animals, and insects anywhere in Johnson County between April 26-29, 2024
3. Upload your discoveries to iNaturalist
4. Follow the results to see the wildlife that is found in Johnson County
Community Events
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Want to join the City Nature Challenge but not sure about how to get started? This presentation will cover the history and basics of this international community science program and provide a tutorial on how to use iNaturalist. We will also get outside for a short hike to find and log organisms as part of the City Nature Challenge. After this training, participants should feel more confident to use iNaturalist on their own and will feel ready to participate in the weekend-long City Nature Challenge.
When: Friday, April 26 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: Kent Park
The event is free, but registration is required.
Macbride Nature Challenge
Join us on Saturday, April 27 to explore the diverse habitats of Macbride Nature Recreation Area (MNRA). Wander the trails and help document the plants, animals, and other life forms living at MNRA.
When: Saturday, April 27 from 9:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m.
Where: Macbride Nature Recreation Area
The event is free, but registration is required. Parking is limited, so please carpool if you are bringing guests.
Self-Guided Exploration at Nearby Nature Sites
Visit one or more protected nature areas in Johnson County to record wildlife at your own leisure during the City Nature Challenge.
| How To Use iNaturalist Flyer | Nature Scavenger Hunt | How To Use iNaturalist Video |
| Download PDF Flyer | Download PDF Flyer | Link to Video |
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More Resources
Check out these great resources that will help you learn more about the City Nature Challenge and how to use the iNaturalist app.
Learn More About iNaturalist
New to iNaturalist? Follow these links for some great tips on how to get started and how to become a better identifier!
Learn More About the City Nature Challenge
The City Nature Challenge is organized by the citizen science teams at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the California Academy of Sciences.
www.citynaturechallenge.org
2024 Partners
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Office of Sustainability and the Environment UI WILD Facilities Management |
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2022 Results
For the first time ever, the University of Iowa joined 400+ cities around the world to document nature as part of the City Nature Challenge! From April 29th – May 2nd, 2022, people in Iowa City photographed plants and animals in backyards, in parks, along city streets, on school grounds, and in many other spots in Iowa City. They used the iNaturalist app to upload their photos to the Iowa City project! Check out what was discovered in Iowa City during the City Nature Challenge!