The City Nature Challenge is an annual 4-day global community science project, where cities and regions compete to document local biodiversity using the iNaturalist app. Think of it as a worldwide Bio Blitz, with an element of friendly competition!

From Friday, April 24 to Monday, April 27, any observation made on iNaturalist will count towards the City Nature Challenge. In addition, any observations made in New Haven and Hartford Counties will be automatically tracked in this Project Journal. All observations made in Fairfield, CT and Westchester, NY Counties will be tracked in this Project Journal.

• April 24 – April 27: Make Observations
• April 28 – May 10: Upload and Identify
• May 13: Results Announced

Let’s share the biodiversity of Connecticut with the world!

Learn About the City Nature Challenge

Join the Maritime Aquarium for a virtual information session on April 13th, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM to learn all about the upcoming 2026 City Nature Challenge! During this virtual information session, you will learn about the history and importance of this event and how you can get involved. This session will also include an overview of iNaturalist- the platform used for making observations. Register here >>

Why Participate

By using iNaturalist to document the presence of plants, animals, and fungi in Connecticut, you can contribute to a record of the biodiversity in our state. This data lets scientists, policymakers, and land managers know “what lives where” so we can work together to prioritize key habitats for conservation and protection.

How To Participate

1) Spread the Word: Let your fellow nature enthusiasts know about the City Nature Challenge.

2) Organize an Event: Plan a nature walk at a land trust property, a public park, or other greenspace, and invite others to join you. It doesn’t have to be formal! 

3) Promote the Event: Once your nature walk is scheduled, tell CLCC so we can advertise your nature walk on social media. 

4) Participate in the Challenge.

• Download the iNaturalist app on your phone. Android. Apple.
• Make an iNaturalist account.
• Join one or more of the Hartford or New Haven County projects listed below.
• Head outside to make observations in iNaturalist. Take photos of plants, animals, and fungi anywhere in the listed project areas. 
• Upload your observations at home or in the field, and they’ll automatically be added to a project.

5)  Track Progress: Check back on the Project Journal to track our collective progress, and help identify observations from April 28-May 10!  If you have knowledge of flora and fauna, or can even identify “unknown” observations to a kingdom level, it is a huge help!

Reach out Vanessa Daye, CLCC’s Community Conservation Coordinator, for support organizing a nature walk in your community: Vanessa@ctconservation.org.

 

City Nature Challenge Events

CLCC is partnering with the Connecticut River Conservancy, The Connecticut Audubon Society, the Sierra Club of Connecticut, and volunteers to organize and lead nature walks for this year’s City Nature Challenge.

• Great Meadows Conservation Trust and Connecticut River Conservancy will host a guided nature walk on Saturday April 25th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at GMCT’s Wolf Parcel lot. Meet at 412 Hartford Ave. in Wethersfield, on the corner of Jordan Lane. Registration is required. 
• Keney Park Sustainability Project and Sierra Club CT will host a guided nature walk on Saturday April 25th from 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM at Keney Park in Hartford. Meet at 323 Edgewood St. in Hartford. Registration is required. Contact Stephen Lewis for more information: swlewis276@gmail.com. 
• Keney Park Sustainability Project and Sierra Club CT will host a guided nature walk on Sunday April 26th from 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM at Riverfront Park in Glastonbury. Meet at 300 Welles St. in Glastonbury. Registration is required. Contact Stephen Lewis for more information at swlewis276@gmail.com. 
• The Land Heritage Coalition of Glastonbury and CLCC will host a guided nature walk on Sunday April 26th from 9:00am to 11:00am. This walk will take place at Addison Bog and Woodlands which is accessible through Smith Middle School at 216 Addison Road in Glastonbury. Registration is required. Contact Vanessa Daye for more information: vanessa@ctconservation.org.
• Greenwich Audubon Center will host an all-day event on Sunday, April 26, starting at at 10:30 AM. Come and go at anytime. The event will take place at the Greenwich Audubon Center at 613 Riversville Road in Greenwich. Contact Kenneth Nalley for more information: kenneth.nalley@audubon.org.