Join the City Nature Challenge from April 25-28

Will you encounter an Eastern Gray Squirrel, traverse in search of Trilliums or spot the Great Horned Owl? Please join us, and 43 other cities representing Canada, in a friendly competition to see which city can upload and share the most observations of nature between April 25-28. 

To participate in the City Nature Challenge, residents are invited to take photos of nature in their backyard, local park and across the city and then upload them into the iNaturalist platform to become part of an international database of biodiversity.  

“Biodiversity matters, not just out in the wild but also in the city,” says Julie Salter-Keane, manager of Climate Leadership at the City. “We’re thrilled to take part in this challenge for a third year and invite residents to explore the beauty of nature that exists in their neighbourhoods.”  

How to participate 

1. Find wildlife! It can be any WILD plant, animal or any other evidence of life found in Kingston.
2. Take a picture or record a sound! Be sure to note the location of the critter or plant.
3. Share your observations through iNaturalist.  

All observations uploaded in Kingston during the challenge will be automatically included in the final count. Only photos taken between April 25-28 will be included in the challenge. 

“Whether you consider yourself a citizen scientist or a resident with a camera and an appreciation for the natural world around you, your participation in this challenge can make a difference in the future of biodiversity research and conservation,” adds Salter-Keane. 

As part of the collaboration with Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF), 43 cities have united to represent Canada in the collaborative global competition to see which community can track the highest number of wildlife observations. Results will be announced after May 5.