robertdoyal's Journal

From the City Nature Challenge San Antonio Metro Area organizers

---

October brings our third monthly iNaturalist meetup, and this time we're kicking off the week with something special, a Monday morning bioblitz at the beautiful Hendrick Arnold Nature Park. This 74-acre stretch of riparian woodland along the Medina River is one of Bexar County's few remaining creek side forests, making it an incredible place to sharpen your observation skills before the day even gets rolling.

We'll begin with the latest iNaturalist updates and introduce this month's focus, Research Grade. We'll cover what it means, why it matters, and how you can help your observations reach it.

Then we'll head out onto the trails, phones and cameras ready, to see what this vibrant woodland reveals. It's a unique chance to explore, learn, and connect with fellow nature enthusiasts, all before lunchtime.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring water, a hat, and sunscreen.

These iNat meetups are open to anyone, and no previous experience is needed.

📍 Hendrick Arnold Nature Park
8950 Fitzhugh Road, San Antonio, Texas 78252
🗓️ Monday, October 5, 9-11am
👤 Led by Nathan Wahler

Meetup details and to RSVP: https://cnc-sa.org/iNatMeetup102026

From the City Nature Challenge San Antonio Metro Area organizers

---

September brings our second iNaturalist meetup, and this Saturday we're headed to McAllister Park, one of San Antonio's largest urban wild spaces, with hundreds of acres and miles of trails.

We'll kick things off with the latest iNat news, introduce our region's newest iNat Ambassadors, and go over best practices and resources for walk leaders. Then we'll break into small groups and head out on the trails for about an hour documenting life along the way. New ambassadors will have a chance to lead or co-lead one of these small groups. We'll wrap up by discussing what we found and working through identifications as a group.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring water, a hat, and sunscreen.

These iNat meetups are open to anyone, and no previous experience is needed.

📍 McAllister Park, Pavilion 1 (Al Becken)
13102 Jones Maltsberger, San Antonio, Texas 78247
🗓️ Saturday, September 5, 9-11am
👤 Led by Robert Doyal and Jane Weeden

Meetup details and to RSVP: https://cnc-sa.org/iNatMeetups092026

From the City Nature Challenge San Antonio Metro Area organizers

---

You said more walks. We said say no more.

Survey says CNC participants wanted more iNat walks throughout the year, so that's exactly what we're doing.

This Saturday, we're kicking off monthly iNat walks, open to anyone, anywhere in our 12-county region, no experience needed. You're invited to walk the trails with a group of people who genuinely love the natural world. A different theme each month, pollinators, flora, lichen, birds, tracks and signs, whatever nature's up to that season. Each one built around the species San Antonio should know.

The first meetup is all about trees. Once you start really looking at trees, you can't stop! They're everywhere, and suddenly you're noticing all of them: Texas Live Oak, Netleaf Hackberry, Shumard Oak, and many other natives.

📍 Phil Hardberger Park, Urban Ecology Center
🗓️ Saturday, August 1, 9-11am
👤 Led by Robert Doyal and Jane Weeden

We'll start with the latest iNat news, then spend about an hour in the field, and wrap up by working through identifications together. It's easy, it's social, and you'll leave seeing trees differently.

Bring water, a hat, sunscreen, and wear comfortable shoes.

Come join us under the canopy this Saturday!

RSVP: https://cnc-sa.org/iNatMeetup082026

What is the City Nature Challenge?

The City Nature Challenge (CNC) is a worldwide event where people in hundreds of cities spend four days discovering and documenting the wildlife around them. Every photo you take with iNaturalist becomes part of a global biodiversity dataset.

I'm hosting nature walks and nocturnal black light explorations during CNC 2026 (April 24–27) in Bexar County, Texas, co-led by fellow Texas Master Naturalists and iNaturalist Ambassadors. All events are free, beginner-friendly, and open to anyone. Just bring your phone and curiosity. RSVP required through Eventbrite.

---

SATURDAY, APRIL 25

Nature Walk: Phil Hardberger Park — Geology Trail

Led by Robert Doyal (@robertdoyal) and Tracey Burke (@tlburke) · Texas Master Naturalists & iNaturalist Ambassadors
8:00–10:00 AM
Voelcker Homestead Trailhead, 1021 Voelcker Lane, San Antonio, TX 78248
There's a stretch of trail where the terrain shifts, the air cools, and things get interesting. We'll walk the Geology Trail's unique microclimate and use iNaturalist to find what's been hiding in plain sight.
RSVP on Eventbrite

---

Nature Walk: What's Living Along Salado Creek?

Led by Robert Doyal (@robertdoyal) and Tracey Burke (@tlburke) · Texas Master Naturalists & iNaturalist Ambassadors
11:30 AM–1:30 PM
Lady Bird Johnson Park, 10700 Nacogdoches Road, San Antonio, TX 78217
Shaded canopy, creek-side habitat, and enough variety to keep you looking around every few steps. We'll explore the Greenway Trail along Salado Creek, then stop on the way back for an ID discussion — where curiosity turns into knowledge.
RSVP on Eventbrite

---

Nature Walk & Nocturnal Black Light Exploration: Walker Ranch

Led by Robert Doyal (@robertdoyal), David Goree, and Tracey Burke (@tlburke) · Texas Master Naturalists
5:00–11:00 PM
Walker Ranch Historic Landmark Park, 12603 West Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78216
Walker Ranch sits where Panther Springs Creek meets Salado Creek — thousands of years of history in one place. Evening nature walk from 5–7 PM, then after dark, we set up UV black lights near the bridge. Moths, beetles, and insects you'd never see during the day start showing up. Come for both or drop in.
RSVP on Eventbrite

---

SUNDAY, APRIL 26

Nature Walk & Nocturnal Black Light Exploration: Live Oak Park

Led by Robert Doyal (@robertdoyal), Leia Lozano (@llozano21), and Tracey Burke (@tlburke) · Texas Master Naturalists & iNaturalist Ambassadors
5:00–10:00 PM
Live Oak City Park, 18001 Park Drive, Live Oak, TX 78233
Lake, wooded trails, open meadows — Live Oak City Park is packed with habitat, which means it's packed with life. Evening walk from 5–7 PM, then UV black lights after dark. A completely different world wakes up. Come for both or drop in.
RSVP on Eventbrite

---

No experience needed for any of these. These are just a few of the events I'm hosting during the City Nature Challenge. There are nature walks, black lighting sessions, and other events happening across our entire 12-county region during CNC weekend. Participating counties: Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Gillespie, Goliad, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Medina, Wilson. Visit cnc-sa.org/events for the full list of events.