For the third year in a row, the Fraser River Discovery Centre is joining the City Nature Challenge! You can contribute to community science during this global biodiversity challenge no matter where you are, from downtown Vancouver, to paddling the Pitt-Addington Marsh, to exploring the beaches of White Rock! Observations collected during this period are used for monitoring biodiversity and ecological research.
From April 26th – April 29th, use iNaturalist to make observations anywhere around the region, and they’ll be added to this project!
Participation is easy:
- Visit iNaturalist and create an account.
- Join the Fraser River Discovery Centre project here: City Nature Challenge 2024: Metro Vancouver Regional District
- Make observations of a wild animal, plant, or fungus from April 26th to April 29th, 2024.
Observations can be uploaded directly through your smartphone or computer through to May 5th.
On this page, you will find links to the iNaturalist project, as well as links to view the quick start guide with resources on iNaturalist, identifying species, and community science in general. You will also find a list of events and programs to register for the City Nature Challenge!
City Nature Challenge 2023 Results
The City Nature Challenge in 2023 brought together 66,394 participants and over 1.8 million observations! Greater Vancouver made 3,324 observations and discovered 816 species. You can check out the results for this year’s CNC here and Greater Vancouver’s results on the iNaturalist page.
INATURALIST PROJECT
iNaturalist Project
INATURALIST APP
QUICK START GUIDE
If you’re new to iNaturalist, or not sure how to make observations, check out some of the great resources linked below!
- Check out iNatualist’s Getting Started page and their Video Tutorials. Use the links on the left side of the page to explore more help topics.
- Watch the recording of our Community Science and iNaturalist workshop with Dr. John Reynolds for some great tips on how to use iNaturalist, as well as examples of how real scientists are using the data.
- Browse through iNaturalist’s Biodiversity Guides to learn more about identifying species in your area.
- Dive deep into the world of community science and biodiversity observations with FRDC’s Curated Collection of Digital Resources.
New to iNaturalist? Join one of these free virtual workshops to learn about iNaturalist: what it is, how to use it, and its role in conservation.
Community Science and iNaturalist with Dr. John Reynolds
Join John Reynolds, Professor of Aquatic Ecology & Conservation at SFU, Tom Buell BC Leadership Chair in Aquatic Conservation, and Chair of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), to learn all about iNaturalist and the role of community science in conservation. Reynolds will teach you how to use iNaturalist, explain iNaturalist’s role in conservation, and answer your questions.
Saturday April 27th, 12:30-1:30
Join the Fraser River Discovery Centre for an in-person guide to using iNaturalist, followed by a self-guided walk around Burnaby Lake Regional Park. This event is drop-in, no registration required.
Saturday April 27th, 2:00-3:00
Join the FRDC at Burnaby Lake Regional Park to learn about dragonflies and submit observations. Pre-registration is required. Register here!
Required for all CNC events:
- A device with the iNaturalist app already downloaded. Observations can be uploaded immediately using data or uploaded later using a WiFi connection.
- Appropriate clothes and shoes for the weather.
- A sense of curiosity!
Other CNC Metro Vancouver Events!
Saturday, April 27th, 11:00-3:00
Join the Stanley Park Ecology Society (SPES) for a walk around Beaver Lake to search for birds, plants, fungi, and other amazing wildlife! This event is drop-in.
Sunday April 28th, 1:00-2:30
Join the Lynn Canyon Ecology Center to find and photograph wildlife in the city! Register here!
Looking for Ways Your Class Can Participate?
If you’re looking for ways for your class to participate in this year’s City Nature Challenge, check out the Education Toolkit on the City Nature Challenge website! Try checking out iNaturalist’s Teacher’s Guide for more information on how to make and upload observations onto iNaturalist as well.