May 9, 2022 update:

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2022 City Nature Challenge! We hope you had fun and appreciate the observations you provided. We hope you stay involved by joining us on iNaturalist throughout the year. Your observations help scientists and others with their conservation work. The next City Nature Challenge will be April 28 - May 1, 2023; stay tuned for updates. 

Whether you hiked at Illinois Beach State Park, explored the Indiana Dunes, or birded in your backyard, your Metro area nature sightings helped this year’s City Nature Challenge! Participants from over 400 cities around the world shared observations of wild plants and animals in the Chicago Metro area from April 29 through May 2.

2022 results: Chicago Metro and worldwide

Media coverage

April 19, 2022: Chicagoans get another chance to break records and contribute to research in global nature challenge (Chicago Tribune, Morgan Greene)

April 28, 2022: It’s Chicago vs. The World in Weekend’s Global City Nature Challenge ‘Bioblitz’ (WTTW, Patty Wetli)

2022 Events

Virtual

1. City Nature Challenge - Illinois Science Council's Talk and Walk
   Monday, April 25th from 6:00PM-6:45PM Central
   
   Join the Illinois Science Council (ISC) for a virtual presentation to learn what the City Nature Challenge is about, how to use iNaturalist to make observations, and hear from a Master Naturalist intern. Then on April 30th at 10AM, join an in-person follow-up event at West Ridge Nature Park (5801 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL). Register at https://CityNatureTalkandWalk.eventbrite.com
   
   
2. iNaturalist MasterClass: Making Science-Worthy Observations
   Tuesday, April 26th at 7:00PM Central (6:00PM MDT)
   
   Transform Your iNaturalist Observations Into Scientifically Rich Data Points: Depending on what you are photographing (a flower, tree, chipmunk, spider, etc.), there can be a lot of variation on how best to approach an ideal observation. This MasterClass from the Natural History Museum of Utah will connect you with experts discussing key steps to elevating iNaturalist observations on a variety of wildlife, enhancing your contributions to global biodiversity. Register at https://nhmu.utah.edu/events/inaturalist-masterclass
   
   
3. Bioblitz 101 - Kickoff and Introduction
   Friday, April 29th from 6:00PM-7:00PM
   
   Participants - individuals, families, a group of friends - will receive training via Zoom from Lincoln Park Zoo staff from the Urban Wildlife Institute, Horticulture and Learning teams to investigate plants and animals in your own neighborhood. You can contribute observations from anywhere in the Chicago Metro area. Register for this free virtual event here. 
   
   
4. Bioblitz Celebration and Wrap-up
   Monday, May 9th from 6:00PM-7:00PM
   
   Participants will celebrate the end of the City Nature Challenge via Zoom with Lincoln Park Zoo staff from the Urban Wildlife Institute, Horticulture and Learning teams. We will review highlights from our Bioblitz and individual observations all made on iNaturalist. Share stories, photos, and fun observations during this virtual event. Register for this free virtual event here.

Illinois: Cook County

1. Roosevelt University Schaumburg Bioblitz
   Friday, April 29th from 1:00PM-3:00PM
   1400 N. Roosevelt Blvd, Schaumburg IL 60173
   
   Let's find all the species we can on Roosevelt University's Schaumburg campus. All Roosevelt community members are invited to take part. Make an iNaturalist account to upload observations. Meet at the volleyball court (north side of parking lot). Open to members of the Roosevelt University community: students, staff, faculty, alumni. Contact edangremond@roosevelt.edu with questions. 
   
   
2. City Nature Challenge Walk at Bemis Woods North
   Saturday, April 30th from 7:30AM-10:30AM
   Bemis Woods North - on Wolf Rd, south of 31st St, Westchester, IL
   
   Warblers and other migrants will arrive to join the many permanent resident birds of Bemis Woods. We will contribute our results, including birds and other species, to the Chicago Wilderness City Nature Challenge, a global biodiversity competition. Meet at the picnic shelter near the grove entrance on Wolf Road, just south of 31st St. Westchester, IL. Please contact johnelliott4@gmail to register.
   
   
3. Spring Early Birds at North Park Village Nature Center
   Saturday, April 30 from 8:00AM-10AM
   
   Join us for morning hikes and birding during spring bird migration. Binoculars and field guides will be available for free use upon request. Join a group of birders or enjoy a self-guided walk. Beginners are welcome. Co-sponsored with Chicago Audubon Society. No registration necessary; parking and entry are free! Contact NPV.NatureCenter@chicagoparkdistrict.com with questions.
   
   
4. City Nature Challenge at the Burnham Nature Sanctuary
   Saturday, April 30 from 10:00AM-11:30AM
   1600 E. 47th Street, Chicago, IL
   
   Join Ted Gross, Chicago Park District Program Specialist for the Burnham Wildlife Corridor, and the Burnham stewards, to participate in the City Nature Challenge at Burnham Nature Sanctuary.  Participants need a camera, smartphone, or tablet (with cellular service), and are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app ahead of the event; prior experience with iNaturalist is not required. To RSVP, contact Edward.Gross@ChicagoParkDistrict.com.
   
   
5. 63rd St. Beach Clean-up and BioBlitz
   Saturday, April 30th from 10:00AM-2:00PM
   6300 E Hayes Dr, Chicago, IL
   
   Join Shedd Aquarium for a beach clean-up, bioblitz, and celebration of 10 years of stewardship! This historic park and natural area is home to nearly 200 species of plants and animals that we know of, but we also know there are likely many more. Help us fill the gap and document as many organisms as we can while also sweeping the beach for trash to make it as hospitable as possible for a new year of wildlife! Following our efforts, we'll gather for some refreshments and a celebration of our tenth year restoring the 63rd St. Beach Dunes. All ages and backgrounds are welcome; no prior experience or equipment needed to participate. Meet at the beach-facing side of the beach house. For questions and to RSVP, email ActionDays@sheddaquarium.org.
   
   
6. Bioblitz at Lincoln Park Zoo's Nature Boardwalk
   Saturday, April 30th from 11:00AM-2:00PM
   2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL
   
   Come together with Lincoln Park Zoo's horticulturalists and Urban Wildlife Institute scientists, Cook County Farm Bureau, DuPage Forest Preserve District, and Lake Forest College for this hands-on time of discovery. Several activities around Nature Boardwalk will facilitate participants looking for and identifying different species found at this location. Learn more and register for this free event here. 
   
   
7. City Nature Challenge at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
   Saturday, April 30th AND Sunday, May 1st from 11:00AM-2:00PM 
   2430 N Cannon Dr., Chicago, IL
   
   Use the free app iNaturalist to share observations of wild plants and animals from around the Nature Museum and the Chicago Metro area. Drop in anytime. Museum staff & volunteers will be on hand to help you get started. Contact programs@naturemuseum.org with questions.
   
    
8. City Nature Challenge at Northerly Island
   Saturday, April 30 from 12:30PM-2:00PM
   1521 S. Linn White Drive, Chicago, IL
   
   Participants need a camera, smartphone, or tablet (with cellular service), and are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app ahead of the event; prior experience with iNaturalist is not required. Registration is available at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com. Contact Edward.Gross@ChicagoParkDistrict.com with questions.
   
   
9. UIC Eco-Educators BioBlitz
   Saturday, April 30th from 1:00PM-3:00PM
   Meet at the south bridge to Wooded Island in Jackson Park
   
   UIC Eco-Educators is a student group for environmental advocacy which will be holding this event in Jackson Park. Let's record all the nature we can and hopefully see some cherry blossoms! Questions? Contact mkochm2@uic.edu
   
   
10. Marian R. Byrnes Park Bird Walk
    Sunday, May 1st from 7:30AM-10:00AM
    9622 S Van Vlissingen Rd, Chicago, IL
    
    Join Chicago Ornithological Society for a hike through one of the Chicago Park District's newest natural areas: Marian R. Byrnes Park! With over 100 acres of wetlands, prairie, and savanna to explore, we'll be on the look out for a variety of early migrants including rails, warblers, sparrows, and raptors. The main path is paved but sturdy hiking shoes are recommended for walking on secondary nature trails. Beginning birders are welcome and extra binoculars will be available. Free and open to all but RSVP is required. Register here.  
    
    
11. City Nature Challenge 2022 at Sand Ridge
    Sunday, May 1st from 10:00AM-3:00PM (drop in anytime)
    15891 Paxton, South Holland, IL
    
    Join us for one of the guided walks offered throughout the day, or explore the grounds on your own as you document the wildlife found at Sand Ridge. Center staff will also be on hand to help people with using iNaturalist.Call 708-868-0606 or 224-501-6634 with questions. Or, email sandridge.naturecenter@cookcountyil.gov

1. Intro to iNaturalist and City Nature Challenge at Indian Prairie Public Library
   Saturday, April 30th from 1:00PM-2:30PM
   401 Plainfield Rd, Darien, IL
   
   This Darien Garden Club and Indian Prairie Public Library event will begin with a 30-minute information session in the library’s meeting room about the iNaturalist app and background information about the Challenge. This will be followed by a 60-minute exploration of the library's grounds identifying some of the plants, and animals that live in our neighborhood. In order to get the most out of this program, please download the iNaturalist or Seek (for families with children) app to your device in advance. Registration is required here.
   

1. City Nature Challenge Hike at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
   Friday, April 29th from 10:00AM-11:00AM
   37W700 Dean St, St. Charles, IL
   
   Join us on the first day of the event to learn how the City Nature Challenge works and how to use the iNaturalist app to report your data. We'll then explore LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve together to get you started as a bioblitz scientist! Register for this free event at www.kaneforest.com/public-nature-programs or by contacting emailing programs@kaneforest.com or calling 630-444-3190.

Indiana: Newton County

Visit iNaturalist.org or download the iNaturalist app (App Store and Google Play). Share your observations of wild plants and animals in the Chicago Metro area to help researchers and land managers better understand and protect urban nature. All observations in the following tri-state counties will count for the challenge: Illinois (Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Will); Indiana (Jasper, Lake, Newton, Porter); and Wisconsin (Kenosha). Get feedback and identifications on your observations from actual scientists, experts, and other naturalists.

All observations made during the 2022 City Nature Challenge within the counties above were automatically added to the project.

Resources and Links

Learn more about the City Nature Challenge, using iNaturalist, and local biodiversity. If you live outside the project boundaries or if you are unable to participate during the City Nature Challenge timeframe, you can still participate by adding your observations to iNaturalist at any time of year!

There are many ways to get involved in community science. Learn more below. 

• Join the project on iNaturalist
• Learn more about the City Nature Challenge
• View previous years of the City Nature Challenge: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017
• iNaturalist Frequently Asked Questions, video tutorials, and Teachers' Guide
• How to use the iNaturalist app (video, 1.5 minutes)
• How to upload photos to the iNaturalist website (video, 3 minutes)
• How to use iNaturalist’s Identify page (video, 2.5 minutes)
• Help identify observations in the Chicago Wilderness region
• How to mark an observation as captive/cultivated (video, <1 minute)
  
• Presentation on iNaturalist and the City Nature Challenge (2021): recording and slides
• Community science projects in Illinois (The Nature Conservancy)
• Discover the biodiversity of Chicago Wilderness (iNaturalist project)
  

Partners

We appreciate the organizations who helped organize the City Nature Challenge 2022: Chicago Metro. 

Contact

Interested in helping organize the City Nature Challenge or hosting an event in 2023? Contact cassi saari for the Chicago region or the international organizers.