City Nature Challenge
About the City Nature Challenge
The City Nature Challenge (CNC) is a global bioblitz—a concentrated effort to find and document as many species as possible within a specific area over a short period. It’s a fun, collaborative competition between cities around the world to see who can record the most wildlife. Originating in 2016 as a contest between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the CNC has blossomed into an international movement, connecting people with nature in their own backyards and urban spaces. The CNC is organized by the Community Science teams at the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM).
How to participate in Kansas City?
Join Kansas City in the 2025 City Nature Challenge, April 25th-28th, and help document our city’s biodiversity.
Participate individually or through organized events.
Individual Participation:
- Download iNaturalist: This free app lets you record your nature observations.
- Explore & Observe: Find wild plants, animals, and fungi.
- Document: Take clear photos highlighting key features.
- Upload: Use iNaturalist to upload photos; the community helps with identification.
- Join the Community: Explore iNaturalist, learn from others, and contribute to identifications.
Exploring on your own? Check out the resources below to find some awesome trails in the KC metropolitan area.
MDC’s find places to go, linked here.
A beginner’s guide to Kansas City’s best hiking trails by KCUR, linked here.
Urban Trail Co. list of trails, linked here.
Take a Hike KC, reviewed trails, linked here.
Organized Events:
Local organizations can host events to promote participation:
BioBlitzes: Group explorations to find and document species.
Nature Walks: Guided tours focused on local flora and fauna.
Workshops: Training on using iNaturalist effectively.
Whether you join an event or explore solo, your observations are valuable! Check back for more event schedules closer to the challenge.
Get Ready for the 2025 Challenge!
Download iNaturalist: This free app is essential for participating in the CNC. It allows you to photograph and identify plants and animals, contributing your observations to the global database. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Learn How to Use iNaturalist: Check out these helpful resources:
The Kansas City Region’s City Nature Challenge is supported by
2025 City Nature Challenge events in KC!
City Nature Challenge Kickoff at the Burr Oak Woods
Date(s):
Friday, April 25th and Saturday, April 26th
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Burr Oak Woods
Description: Walk-in (ages 5+). Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center is joining multiple Kansas City Metro area conservation partners in the City Nature Challenge, an international effort for people to find and document plants and wildlife in urban and suburban areas around the globe. Our kickoff is Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26. Participants will make observations by taking photos and uploading their observations using the free mobile app iNaturalist. The objective is to create a snapshot of the biodiversity that can be found around the metro area! Naturalists will be at the Burr Oak Woods on Friday and Saturday to assist you.
Go Native
Date: Saturday, April 26th
Time: 10 AM – 2 PM
Location: Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110
Description: Walk-in. Detour during Go Native for a fun nature challenge! The City Nature Challenge is an international effort to document plants and animals, creating a biodiversity snapshot, in your city! Download the free mobile app, iNaturalist, and take photos of nature around you. Take on an additional adventure by trying out our iNaturalist orienteering challenge!