City Nature Challenge 2020: Denver-Boulder Metro's Journal

Denver-Boulder citizen scientists, thank you for making the 2020 City Nature Challenge an absolute success!

The results are in, and as of the end of the day on May 3rd, we had:
5,847 total observations, 838 species observed, 443 observers, and 373 identifiers. Of those stats, 5,468 observations and 793 species were verifiable, and 2,960 observations and 423 species were listed as research grade. All thanks to YOU!

Throughout the globe, 41,165 observers from 244 cities collected 814,258 observations of 32,500+ species (including more than 1,300 rare/endangered/threatened species) during the four-day bioblitz!

Check out the infographic below to see some of the other global results, and stand by for more results and interesting finds from the Denver-Boulder challenge. We'll also be awarding prizes to some of our most active participants and for standout observations. More soon!

From your friends at:

Colorado Parks & Wildlife, Denver Audubon, Denver Botanic Gardens, Metro Denver Nature Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, and WILD Foundation

We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2020 Boulder-Denver City Nature Challenge! Because this year's CNC was not framed as a competition, but instead a collaborative event that embraces the healing power of nature, we have decided acknowledge standout observations as well as some of our more active participants. Check it out below!

Best Backyard Wildlife Photo
Red Fox by lynaet: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/43842881

Best Urban Wildlife Photo
American Beaver by carolinewise: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/43459894

Best Wildlife Coexistence Photo
Canada Goose by jsalzman13: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/43341206

Best Black-tailed Prairie Dog Photo:
by Lyn Simuns (lsimuns): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/43251302

Rarest animal observation:
White Mule Deer by Ken Wat (ken47): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/43716756

Rarest plant observation:
Bell's Twin Pod by Ann Cooper (wordswild): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/44202010

Best Bird photo:
Swainson's Hawk by msilver2: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/43749968

Best Mammal Photo:
Red Fox kits by Gary B. (gbarka): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/44005230

Best Reptile photo:
Bullsnake by Hannah Floyd (cheetahfanatic_29): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/44049428

Best Amphibian photo:
Western Tiger Salamander by dearmyrah: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/43554320

Best Insect photo:
Western Honey Bee by Suzanne Dingwell (suzanne11): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/43800610

Best Plant photo:
Missouri Foxtail Cactus by nimbusshepherd: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/43177705

A few of this year's City Nature Challenge Superstars:
Jared Shorma (blazeclaw)
Cody Limber (codylimber)
Tina Reimer (tlr06754)
Brian O. (Kleric42)
Willem Van Vliet (willem9)
(kellya)
(calba)

Congrats to you all! I (Melanie Hill) will be reaching out to each of you individually either through the iNaturalist messenger OR through email to let you know what your prize is and to ask for your mailing address. If you have any questions, please send me an email at melanie@wild.org.

Thanks to all for participating! We were so impressed with your observations and dedication. Remember that the data you submit to iNaturalist supports the essential work of our land and wildlife experts. Keep the observations going by submitting to year-round projects like the State Parks NatureFinder Project or Boulder County Wildlife Project. We need your eyes and expertise!

From your friends at:
The WILD Foundation, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, Denver Audubon, Denver Botanic Gardens, The Nature Conservancy, Metro Denver Nature Alliance