City Nature Challenge
Apr. 26 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Document local biodiversity as part of a team while hiking and exploring Catalina’s wildlands. Findings documented during this experience will support City Nature Challenge, an international event that tracks urban biodiversity, providing valuable “research-grade” data to scientists, conservationists and land managers for monitoring species and habitats.
Working in small groups, we’ll survey different areas of the landscape, learn how to observe and document species, and contribute our findings to this international effort using iNaturalist. No science background or experience is necessary to participate. Conservancy Senior Naturalist Alexandra Brainerd will open and close the event with a short discussion.
About the Challenge
What started in 2016 as a competition between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the City Nature Challenge (CNC) has grown into an international event that inspires people around the world to find and document wildlife in their own cities. Run by the Community Science teams at the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM), the CNC is an annual 4-day global bio-blitz at the end of April, where cities collaborate to see what can be accomplished when we all work toward a common goal.
City Nature Challenge participants not only learn more about local nature, but also make their cities a better place for all living beings.
What to Bring:
- Bagged lunch
- Sun protection
- Smart phone
- Closed-toed shoes
Important to Know
We will meet at the Trailhead Visitor Center for an iNaturalist briefing with Conservancy Senior Naturalist Alexandra Brainerd before departing for the wildlands. A complimentary shuttle will transport participants into the wildlands around 10:30 a.m. to begin the challenge. We will eat lunch in the field. Plan to return to the Trailhead by 2 p.m.
Ferry tickets are not included in the cost of this workshop and should be purchased early to ensure a seat is available. Same day ferry riders from Long Beach should reserve the 8:15 a.m. Catalina Express boat.
Participants should come prepared for being outside in the field, standing and walking. Sturdy, close-toed shoes and a re-fillable water bottle are required. Some walking on uneven terrain should be expected.
Trailhead Visitor Center
