The City Nature Challenge is an international effort to document urban biodiversity. It began in 2016 as a friendly competition between the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. It has since grown to more than 500 cities worldwide. The Brazos Valley joined in 2021.
City Nature Challenge
Join the City Nature Challenge, April 24–May 10, and help document plants and wildlife throughout the Brazos Valley using the free iNaturalist app. This global community science event invites participants to record observations, discover species and contribute to a worldwide effort to better understand urban biodiversity. The challenge includes two phases: the observation phase, April 24–27, and the identification phase, April 28–May 10. Both phases are essential for maximizing the number of species documented and identified.
To participate, download the iNaturalist app and upload photos of wildlife, native plants or fungi. Observations can be made anywhere within the six-county Brazos Valley area: Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Lee, Madison and Robertson counties.
Visit the Gary Halter Nature Center from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. during the challenge to practice using the app and get tips from trained staff. An Identifying Wildlife with iNaturalist workshop will also be held April 15 from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at the Gary Halter Nature Center.
Why It Matters
The City Nature Challenge provides a yearly snapshot of local biodiversity and helps researchers and naturalists better understand the wildlife that shares our region. Participants contribute valuable data that supports conservation, education and scientific research.
Explore observations and follow local progress through the City Nature Challenge project page on iNaturalist.
City Nature Challenge 2026 – Event Schedule
Events
- Wednesday, April 15: Identifying Wildlife with iNaturalist, 6:30–7:30 p.m. at Gary Halter Nature Center
- Friday, April 24: Moth and nocturnal animal event, 8–10 p.m. at Gary Halter Nature Center
- Saturday, April 25: Bio Blitz, 9 a.m.–noon at Gary Halter Nature Center
- April 24–27: Identification phase (participants help identify species and review submitted observations, photos and audio recordings)
- April 28–May 10: Identification phase
- Tuesday, May 5: Identification party, 4:30–7:30 p.m. at Gary Halter Nature Center
- Virtual: Discord identification sessions (details posted April 24 on the iNaturalist project page)
- Wednesday, May 13: Results announced online
FAQs
What is the City Nature Challenge?
When is the City Nature Challenge?
The City Nature Challenge takes place April 24–May 10 and includes two phases: observation and identification.
The Brazos Valley City Nature Challenge covers Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Lee, Madison and Robertson counties. Events are hosted throughout the region, including at Lick Creek Park.
Anyone can participate. An iNaturalist account is required. Participants under 14 may use a parent or teacher account.
There is no cost to participate. Some locations may require travel or entrance fees, but many observations can be made at home or in local parks.
No registration is required. Simply create an iNaturalist account. Any observations made within the project area and timeframe will automatically be included in the challenge.
Participants who contribute 25 or more observations will receive City Nature Challenge swag while supplies last, available at the Gary Halter Nature Center during operating hours.
Additionally, participants who upload a photo of a purple martin during the challenge will be entered into a promotional drawing. Each qualifying observation counts as one entry.
What counts as an observation?
Observations should document wild plants, animals, fungi or other organisms. Do not include pets, zoo animals or cultivated plants such as garden or indoor plants.
Use your best judgment. If an organism depends on human care to survive, it is not considered wild.
Parks & Recreation Department
1000 Krenek Tap Road
College Station, TX 77840
(8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays)
979.764.3486
parks@cstx.gov
