Colorado Springs to participate in City Nature Challenge

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Colorado Springs residents are invited to participate in a worldwide nature challenge.

The City of Colorado Springs' Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department joined the multi-city, global event called City Nature Challenge.

Between April 30 and May 3, people are asked to observe and submit pictures of wild plants, animals, and fungi using the free app iNaturalist.

“Colorado Springs is excited to be part of this effort that will provide important insight about the biodiversity of urban areas,” said Cody Sutton, natural resources specialist with the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Department. “We hope people of all ages will join the fun, learn something new about the world around them, and help scientists learn more about the biodiversity of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region.”

The City Nature Challenge began in 2016 as a competition between San Fransisco and Los Angeles. It was founded by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and San Fransisco's California Academy of Sciences.

In 2021, more than 350 cities worldwide are participating. Colorado Springs has taken part since 2019.

Creators of the challenge say this is an opportunity for people to find and document plants and wildlife in cities across the globe. The collected data will be used to understand and conserve urban wildlife.

Participate through the following steps:

1. Find wildlife (plant, animal, fungi, or any evidence of life such as scat, fur, or tracks)
2. Take a picture of what you find and note the location of the critter or plant
3. Share your observation by uploading your findings through the app iNaturalist

For more information on the City Nature Challenge, click here.

For more information on iNaturalist, click here.