City Nature Challenge
City Nature Challenge 2023:
Greater Erie
4 day event, April 28 – May 1
The Greater Erie City Nature Challenge is back for its 2nd year! Last year, we smashed our goals, so we are expanding to all of Erie County this year! Get outside with us from April 28 – May 1 during the City Nature Challenge. This international community science event challenges us to explore the biodiversity around us. Everyone is welcome; all you need to do is download the free iNaturalist app on your phone or tablet, create an account, go outside and start exploring! iNaturalist can be used year-round to identify all sorts of plant and animal species anywhere in the world! In addition, by making observations in the app, you will be contributing to a global wildlife database that scientists can use to inform their research.
The City Nature Challenge was started in 2016 by the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and has grown into a global event. Last year, over 400 cities from 44 countries around the world participated in the challenge with over 52,000 observers. Over 45,000 different species were documented during the 4-day event and 2021 also saw the first time that more than 1,000,000 observations were made!
Any iNaturalist observations made during this 4-day period will be included. Record observations from your backyard, explore the Erie Bayfront, visit a park, or come to Asbury Woods for a visit!
Check out the iNaturalist website for some great tutorials on how to make an observation, how to identify an observation, and adding a photo.
Ways to participate
Cascade Park with Our West Bayfront
Date: Saturday, Apr. 29
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Meet at the park between W. 2nd and W. 3rd Street.
Free, no registration required
Hike at Erie Bluffs State Park
Date: Saturday, April 29
Time: 9:00 - 11:30 am
Location: Erie Bluffs State Park
FREE, no registration required
Explore Erie Bluffs State Park in a totally unique new way. Join us on a 2 -mile guided exploration hike while we document flora and fauna in the stream, vernal pools and forest area. Tiny to tall, feathers to fur, we will document it all using the Inaturalist app.
A limited amount of Ipads will be available for use. Meet at the upper parking area of Erie Bluffs.
Call 814-217-9638 for any questions.
Asbury Woods: Drop-in and Discover
Date: Saturday, April 29
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Location: Nature Center
FREE, no registration required
Join us for the City Nature Challenge as we explore what plants and critters call Erie County home! Take a guided hike with a smart device and make observations here at Asbury Woods. Please note: Two hikes will be offered starting promptly at 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm.
Wintergreen Gorge
Date: Saturday, April 29
Time: 1:30 -2:30 pm
Location: meet at the Prichak parking lot, behind the Science Building on the Behrend campus
FREE, no registration required
Click here for more information about Wintergeen Gorge.
Shades Beach Park
Date: Sunday, April 30
Time: 1:30 -2:30 pm
Location: meet by the pavilion
FREE, no registration required
Lead Sponsor

In coordination with

Festival Partners
