For the first time ever, the entire Greater Vancouver area is joining the City Nature Challenge! You can contribute to community/citizen 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 29th – May 2nd, simply use iNaturalist to make observations anywhere around the region, and they’ll be added to this project!
All you need to do is:
• Download iNaturalist (links below)
• Make an observation of a wild animal, plant or fungus from April 29th – May 2nd.
Observations can be uploaded directly through your phone, or uploaded on your computer through May 8th.
• Follow the project on iNaturalist (links below) to see the results roll in!
On this page, you will find links to the iNaturalist project, as well as links to download the app. Below that you can view our quick start guide with resources on iNaturalist, identifying species and citizen science in general. Below that you will see our calendar of events, and at the bottom links to the other City Nature Challenge projects around BC!
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! And stay tuned for special intro workshops we’ll be running in the weeks leading up to the City Nature Challenge.
- 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 citizen 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.
Join one of our volunteer naturalists on a free guided walk as they help you discover the unique ecology of each park and make observations on iNaturalist, to submit to the City Nature Challenge.
Required:
- All participants over the age of 5 are required to wear a mask.
- 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!
Our guided walks are open to all ages, but please pay attention to the expected walk distance for each walk.
Saturday April 30th, 12:30 -1:30 pm
Brae Island Regional Park, ~ 2-3 km
Saturday April 30th, 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Pitt-Addington Marsh, ~ 2-4 km, end time flexible
Saturday April 30th, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Brae Island Regional Park, ~2-3 km
Sunday May 1st, 9:00 am – 12:00- pm
Minnekhada Regional Park, ~ 2-4 km, end time flexible
Not in the Greater Vancouver Area?
No problem! There are lots of areas all over BC participating in the City Nature Challenge!
Greater Victoria, Nanaimo, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Okanagan Valley, West Kootenays, East Kootenays, Thompson-Nicola Region, Cariboo Region