Today is the last day of the City Nature Challenge! Don't miss out on the chance to showcase the incredible biodiversity in our region. Grab your smartphone, head outside, and capture the wonders of nature around you. Your observations contribute to creating a record of our local environment, helping scientists and local government understand and protect it.
Let's make this last day count!
The City Nature Challenge has finally arrived! We hope you are able to connect with nature in the capital region throughout the weekend and share your observations of the wonderful biodiversity you are bound to find. We encourage you to make as many iNat observations as you can between now and midnight on April 29 to contribute to this amazing community science effort.
When visiting local parks and natural areas, please remember to tread lightly:
Several prizes are up for grabs for people that joined the City Nature Challenge 2024: Greater Victoria iNaturalist project.
One project participant will be randomly selected for each of these categories to win a smartphone macro camera lens:
-Five native species observations
-Five inter-tidal species observations
-Five invertebrate observations
-More than 12 different species observations
The project participant with the most identifications will win: a $50 gift card to the garden centre of your choice in the capital region.
Please make sure to stay on established trails and paths and stay off of private property unless you have permission.
For full contest details visit www.crd.bc.ca/biodiversity.
Did you know that the capital region lies in one of Canada’s nature hotspots, bursting with an incredible diversity of plants and wildlife? Explore our amazing natural areas during the City Nature Challenge. If you'd like help using iNaturalist, interested in meeting like-minded nature enthusiasts or want to attend a family-friendly activity check out the upcoming City Nature Challenge Events:
April 26:
Esquimalt Lagoon BioThon: Join the Esquimalt Lagoon Stewardship Initiative for a bioThon at Esquimalt Lagoon. How many different wild plants and animals can be found? Meet by the washrooms near Lagoon Rd at Esquimalt Lagoon anytime between 4-6pm.
April 27:
CRD Regional Parks Birding Basics
District of Saanich Pulling Together Park Tours
Gorge Waterway Action Society: Drop by the Gorge Waterway Nature House (1070 Tillicum Rd) between 10am-3pm to learn about the biodiversity of the Gorge Waterway and how to protect it. Nature House staff will be there to help with iNaturalist.
Join Friends of Uplands Park Society from 1 to 3pm for a walk in the park to find flora and fauna to document. Volunteers will be onsite to help with iNaturalist. Meet in the Beach Drive grassy field at the entrance to Cattle Point.
Swan Lake Nature House EcoQuests
April 28:
Rocky Point Bird Observatory Walk Outerbridge Park
CRD Regional Parks Glory of the Understory
Gorge Waterway Action Society: Drop by the Gorge Waterway Nature House (1070 Tillicum Rd) between 10am-3pm to learn about the biodiversity of the Gorge Waterway and how to protect it. Nature House staff will be there to help with iNaturalist.
More event information at www.crd.bc.ca/biodiversity
The City Nature Challenge is in less than three days!
Clear photos provide evidence of your iNaturalist findings, and help others to confirm your observations. To prepare, check out these photography tips for taking great photos during the City Nature Challenge:
•Focus on a single organism. As much as possible, get close to the species you are observing and centre the organism in the frame.
•Take multiple photos for a single observation. For example, you can take a photo of an entire tree, combined with photos of its leaf, bark, and fruit. Together, this group of photos will allow for the most accurate observation.
•Discard blurry photographs. If the organism moved or there is low light, retake the photo.
•Getting a clear close-up shot of tiny organisms is important for their identification. Clip-on macro lenses can improve the zoom on your smartphone.
Have fun improving your photography skills while celebrating local biodiversity!
Did you know that invasive species are the second biggest threat to global biodiversity after habitat loss? Invasive species can be plants, animals, or microbes that are introduced into places outside their native habitat. If a species looks out of place, or if there is a dense population of a single species, it could be invasive. If you see an invasive species when you are out this weekend, report it by:
• Calling 250-360-3302
• Emailing the CRD directly or emailing the BC Government (invasive.plants@gov.bc.ca)
• By downloading the Report Invasive App and uploading your observation
• Report it online by filling out this form
Please keep in mind, some invasive species can pose serious health risks. If you aren’t familiar with a species, please avoid handling it. Want to learn more? Check out the Invasive Species Council of BC’s website and learn how you can report them. To see a list of priority species in the capital region, click here
New to iNaturalist? Register for the in-person Introduction to iNaturalist Workhsop April 10 from 6-8pm at the Swan Lake Nature House. Learn how to use iNaturalist, participate in the City Nature Challenge and take good photos to help with identification. Register here.
Or check out the links below to learn how to use the iNaturalist mobile app and website, and check out tips to take good photos.
iNaturalist Training video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcLYIjIm-4c
iNaturalist App Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMoPHdLYgDY
iNaturalist App PDF: https://cwf-fcf.org/en/resources/downloads/booklets-handouts/iNaturalist-App-How-to.pdf
iNaturalist Web Uploading : https://cwf-fcf.org/en/resources/downloads/booklets-handouts/iNaturalist-Web-How-to.pdf
iNaturalist Web Identifying: https://cwf-fcf.org/en/resources/downloads/booklets-handouts/iNaturalist-Identify-How-to-Web.pdf
Be sure to take close up, focused images of the species you are observing. Read this photo guide for great tips on how to take clear, identifiable photos for different types of organisms. https://cwf-fcf.org/en/resources/downloads/booklets-handouts/iNaturalist-Photo-Guide-Final.pdf
