Exploring Biodiversity
The City Nature Challenge is an exciting global event that celebrates the wonders of nature right in our own backyards. Hosted by The Nature Conservancy, this four-day bioblitz encourages people of all ages to become community scientists by documenting the incredible biodiversity around them. In Polk County, we’re gearing up for an adventure that combines exploration, education, and conservation.
What Is the City Nature Challenge?
What Is the City Nature Challenge?The City Nature Challenge is a friendly competition where cities across the world compete to observe and record as many plant and wildlife species as possible.
Armed with smartphones and the iNaturalist app or website, participants venture into parks, gardens, forests, and even urban areas to capture photos of the natural world. It’s a chance to connect with nature, learn about local ecosystems, and contribute valuable data to scientific research.
All you need to get started is the iNaturalist app and a smartphone! More advanced users may choose to use a digital camera with geotagging capability and later, at home, upload all their observations into the website-based iNaturalist platform.
How Can You Get Involved?
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Join us for an introductory workshop:
- Download the iNaturalist app to your smartphone and create an account
- Register for one of the “Introduction to iNaturalist” workshops and nature hikes in Polk County this April:
- Friday, April 26th at 10 AM – Bok Tower
- Friday, April 26th at 3:30 PM – Circle B Bar Reserve (a UF/IFAS Extension Polk County event!)
- Saturday, April 27 at 10:30 and 1:30 PM – Lake Wales Family Recreation Center
- Saturday April 27 at 9 AM – Circle B Bar Reserve
- Saturday, April 27th at 10 AM – Lake Wales Public Library
- You don’t have to participate in a formal event – just get outside in a natural area near you!
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Participate in one of the organized BioBlitzes this April in Polk County:
- From April 26th to 29th, events are taking place all over the Polk County. Register for one now:
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Participate in the City Nature Challenge, independently!
- You don’t have to participate in a formal event – just get outside in a natural area near you!
- Observe plants, insects, birds, reptiles, and any other living creatures you encounter.
- Don’t forget to document your findings on iNaturalist!
You don’t have to participate in a formal event – just get outside in a natural area near you!
As we gear up for the City Nature Challenge in Polk County, Florida, the excitement is palpable. 🌿📸🦋 Remember, nature awaits! Let’s explore, learn, and support our wild spaces.
Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of something bigger—something that connects us to the natural world and contributes to scientific research. Register now for a City Nature Challenge event and we’ll see you in April!
NOTE: Event details are subject to change, please see the link for each event for the most up-to-date information.
University of Florida IFAS Extension is committed to diversity of people, thought and opinion, to inclusiveness and to equal opportunity.
UF/IFAS Extension is an Equal Opportunity Institution.
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