City Nature Challenge 2022: New York City's Journal

The results are in for 2022! Thank you to everyone who participated in the City Nature Challenge in New York City and around the world!

Globally, 445 cities participated in the City Nature Challenge and together we've beaten our previous records! Over 67 thousand people across the globe made over 1.6 million observations of over 50 thousand species. We hope that you all found the time you spent observing relaxing and restorative. The global organizers at a California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of LA created an awesome infographic with these results and some other interesting finds. Check it out here: CNC 2022 Infographic.

New York City Results

We had great results in NYC, too! Together, NYC had 16,295 observations of 1724 species made by 838 people. This is our highest species number for any of the six years NYC has participated in the City Nature Challenge and the second highest number of participants! CNC brought in 300 new NYC observers to iNaturalist, 6,666 new "Research Grade" NYC observations, and 11 species new to the iNaturalist database for New York City. Way to go, NYC!

The City Nature Challenge was a collaborative celebration of biodiversity and the cities were not competing against each other. However, we do have some interesting comparisons to report. New York City is ranked 6th for observations out of the 54 cities that share our climate zone classification (Cfa) and FIRST for observations in the 42 similarly-sized geographic areas (between 500-999 sq. km).

Let's give a shoutout to our top observers, species finders, and identifiers in NYC, and an extra special shout out to @srall, who is ranked #7 globally for observations in the whole City Nature Challenge!

Top NYC Observers

@srall, @zitserm, @klodonnell, @cesarcastillo, @nycnatureobserver, and @sara47

Top NYC Species Finders

@cesarcastillo, @nycnatureobserver, @zitserm, @srall, @mugglelissa, and @vancortlandtzoo

Top NYC Identifiers

@nycnatureobserver, @peakaytea, @sadawolk, @cinnamon325, @beniiiii, and @spuytenduyvilny

Battle of the Boroughs

Another great year for the Battle of the Boroughs - three different boroughs won each of our categories. The most observations were made in the Bronx, the most species were found in Queens, and the most observers were in Manhattan. This is the first time Queens has won one of the categories!

Let's also recognize the top observer and species finder in each borough. They are:
Bronx: @sara47 (obs) and @mugglelissa (spp)
Brooklyn: @lisabrundage (both)
Manhattan: @nycnatureobserver (both)
Queens: @zitserm (obs) and @cesarcastillo (spp)
Staten Island: @srall (both)

And let's give a big thank you to our borough captains for leading the way in their boroughs: @john_butler in the Bronx, @xris, @green-wood, and @one33clintonia in Brooklyn, @allianceforfmcp in Queens, and @desmodium_nyc on Staten Island.

Greenspace Race

This year, 24 NYC greenspaces joined the Greenspace Race led by @mspceco to see how quickly they could get to 5000 observations together. Not only did they reach their goal by day three of CNC, but they ended up with 6,200 observations! Great job!

MANY THANKS

We absolutely could not run a successful CNC:NYC without all of our wonderful partners: Alley Pond Environmental Center, Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Bronx River Alliance, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Greenway Initiative, Fort Green Park Conservancy, Friends of Spuyten Duyvil, Genspace, Greenbelt Conservancy, Green-Wood Cemetery, Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, Latino Outdoors, Lower East Side Ecology Center, Macaulay Honors College, Madison Square Park Conservancy, Manhattan Land Trust, New York Botanical Garden, NYC H2O, NYC Parks, NYC Pollinator Working Group, Randall's Island Park Alliance, Torrey Botanical Society, Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, Washington Square Park EcoProjects. Thanks for coming to planning meetings, spreading the word about CNC, making your own observations and identifications, and many thanks especially to those of you who hosted or organized CNC related events this year. You all are what makes this event such a success!

We also had some great Macaulay Honors College student volunteers at our events and we thank them for their help as well: @kristenb, @btasluba, @kk0hama, @hkolsch, @jacky_, @madeline_l, @katherine562, @jaack1349, and @kevinzheng.


The dates have already been set for next year's CNC: April 28, 2023 - May 1, 2023! There won't be much activity until late in Summer 2022, but if you join the CNC:NYC 2023 project page now, you'll get updates when they are posted. Until then, happy observing!

THANK YOU, NYC, FOR A GREAT CITY NATURE CHALLENGE 2022!

With just a few days left, we're about to cross 16K observations in NYC! Today, I'm asking you to help us find some CNC observations to highlight in our NYC results and to pass along to the global CNC organizers. (Reminder: results will be announced after 3pm on Monday, May 9)

What did you see out there that was particularly interesting? We'd love to hear about things like:

• species that haven’t been recorded in particular areas before
• important finds of rare/endangered/threatened species
• observations that have a great story that go along with them
• really great photos
• other fun finds or personal favorites
• urban contrasts, nature taking over, marginal spaces, etc.

Leave a comment below with a link to the observation! Thanks!

Hello NYC project participants!

I hope you all had a wonderful CNC weekend filled with many observations. If you're like me, you still are in the process of uploading them. Don't forget to do this by the deadline of 9am on May 9. That's when our data will be pulled for the final CNC results.

You can help our species numbers go up by contributing identifications, which you can do on your own, but why not join us at one of our virtual ID parties? The registration links are below:

CNC:NYC Virtual ID Party
Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Time:5:30p-7:30p
Host: Kelly O'Donnell (@klodonnell) at Macaulay Honors College
Location: online via Zoom
Description: Grab a snack and a tasty beverage and hop on our Zoom to make identifications together! No taxonomic experience necessary - everyone is welcome! The basic format will be a quick intro about how to ID observations and then you'll work on them on your own while on the call. We'll hang out and chat about the cool critters people have found or the funny observations people have made.
Registration: Via eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-nature-challenge-nyc-virtual-id-party-registration-300121269797

Torrey Plant ID Party
Date: Thursday, May 5, 2022
Time:6p-7:30p
Host: Chris Kreussling (@xris) and Torrey Botanical Society
Location: online via Zoom
Description: Following the observation days of the City Nature Challenge (April 29-May 2) is the identification period. There will be thousands of observations uploaded from NYC and worldwide which will be in need of identification! Prepare your favorite snack or beverage and join our virtual ID Party to make identifications together! We will give a quick introduction to identifying observations on iNaturalist. Then, while everyone works through identifications, feel free to share fun or interesting finds, as well as to ask for identification assistance from others on the call. No taxonomic expertise is necessary! Lots of identifications will be marked as “unknown”, and even a label of “plant” or “animal” is a step closer to full identification of the observation. If you don’t already have an iNaturalist account, be sure to create one before the event!
Registration: Via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckcumvqTItHtaQz06VPUEF8p6wRnFPtpa1

This is it! It's the last day of CNC in NYC! It's a little wet right now, but the rain should be slowing down soon. Let's get our observation numbers up and let's help all the cities cross the million observation mark. We're less than 50,000 observations away!

Remember, you can take your last observation photos today and still upload them during the identification period. I currently have quite a backlog of my own observations I need to still get up there :-)

Wednesday and Thursday this week we'll have virtual ID parties where we can all hangout and plug away at those identifications. See the details and registration links below.

Virutal ID Parties for CNC Identification Period (ends May 9 @ 9am local time)

CNC:NYC Virtual ID Party
Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Time:5:30p-7:30p
Host: Kelly O'Donnell (@klodonnell) at Macaulay Honors College
Location: online via Zoom
Description:Grab a snack and a tasty beverage and hop on our Zoom to make identifications together! No taxonomic experience necessary - everyone is welcome! The basic format will be a quick intro about how to ID observations and then you'll work on them on your own while on the call. We'll hang out and chat about the cool critters people have found or the funny observations people have made.
Registration: Via eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-nature-challenge-nyc-virtual-id-party-registration-300121269797

Torrey Plant ID Party
Date: Thursday, May 5, 2022
Time:6p-7:30p
Host: Chris Kreussling (@xris) and Torrey Botanical Society
Location: online via Zoom
Description:Following the observation days of the City Nature Challenge (April 29-May 2) is the identification period. There will be thousands of observations uploaded from NYC and worldwide which will be in need of identification! Prepare your favorite snack or beverage and join our virtual ID Party to make identifications together! We will give a quick introduction to identifying observations on iNaturalist. Then, while everyone works through identifications, feel free to share fun or interesting finds, as well as to ask for identification assistance from others on the call. No taxonomic expertise is necessary! Lots of identifications will be marked as “unknown”, and even a label of “plant” or “animal” is a step closer to full identification of the observation. If you don’t already have an iNaturalist account, be sure to create one before the event!
Registration: Via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckcumvqTItHtaQz06VPUEF8p6wRnFPtpa1

This just in - as of 11:55pm the Greenspace Race reached their goal of 5000 observations and there's still a whole day left of City Nature Challenge!

Globally, all the cities together have made over 868K observations and there's still lots of time to make more! Will we beat last year's 1.2 million observations?

Battle of the Boroughs update: Bronx is still in the lead for observations. Manhattan still in the lead for species and observers.

Don't forget to sign up for our virtual ID parties this week!

Virutal ID Parties for CNC Identification Period (ends May 9 @ 9am local time)

CNC:NYC Virtual ID Party
Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Time:5:30p-7:30p
Host: Kelly O'Donnell (@klodonnell) at Macaulay Honors College
Location: online via Zoom
Description:Grab a snack and a tasty beverage and hop on our Zoom to make identifications together! No taxonomic experience necessary - everyone is welcome! The basic format will be a quick intro about how to ID observations and then you'll work on them on your own while on the call. We'll hang out and chat about the cool critters people have found or the funny observations people have made.
Registration: Via eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-nature-challenge-nyc-virtual-id-party-registration-300121269797

Torrey Plant ID Party
Date: Thursday, May 5, 2022
Time:6p-7:30p
Host: Chris Kreussling (@xris) and Torrey Botanical Society
Location: online via Zoom
Description:Following the observation days of the City Nature Challenge (April 29-May 2) is the identification period. There will be thousands of observations uploaded from NYC and worldwide which will be in need of identification! Prepare your favorite snack or beverage and join our virtual ID Party to make identifications together! We will give a quick introduction to identifying observations on iNaturalist. Then, while everyone works through identifications, feel free to share fun or interesting finds, as well as to ask for identification assistance from others on the call. No taxonomic expertise is necessary! Lots of identifications will be marked as “unknown”, and even a label of “plant” or “animal” is a step closer to full identification of the observation. If you don’t already have an iNaturalist account, be sure to create one before the event!
Registration: Via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckcumvqTItHtaQz06VPUEF8p6wRnFPtpa1

Today was another beautiful CNC day in NYC!

Have you checked out the global numbers? Across all the CNC cities, we're already over half a million observations of almost 30,000 species! AMAZING!

Battle of the Boroughs update: Bronx is still in the lead for observations. Manhattan has just moved ahead in species and observers.

Greenspace Race update: Participating parks are at over half their goal of 5000 species! Will they reach it early tomorrow?

And don't forget, there are still more free events on Sunday. To get to the main list of events visit: https://tinyurl.com/nyc2022events

Sunday, May 1

BRONX

Latino Outdoors - Semillitas Outdoors
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 9:30a-1p
Host: Latino Outdoors
Location: Bronx Forest (meeting location will be provided upon registration)
Description: As part of our Semillitas Outdoors week, which celebrates Latinx children in the outdoors, we will be hosting this kid-centered CNC event, where children and their families will be provided with guidance to create and submit quality observations to the CNC. Prepare yourself to see both a river and forest environment! Please note, this event is ONLY for families with kids. If this does not apply to you, but you wish to participate, consider joining us at Jamaica Bay on Saturday 4/30 (see above listing). Register through our Eventbrite and we will share additional info with you. When you register, be sure to select the ticket for the correct date and event, so we send you the right info!
Registration: Via Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lo-nyc-the-city-nature-challenge-2022-tickets-315894487917

Mini BioBlitz
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 10a - 1p
Host: Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
Location: Outside Van Cortlandt Golf Course Clubhouse
Description: Public will join VCPA staff in a guided bioblitz through iNaturalist. The program will begin with an iNaturalist best practices overview followed by a group bioblitz in the Vault Hill section of Van Cortlandt Park.
Registration: Via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/287984217547

City Nature Challenge: Spuyten Duyvil Shorefront Park
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 10a - 12p
Host: Friends of Spuyten Duyvil
Location: Meet at Half Moon Overlook, between 2465 & 2475 Palisade Avenue, Bronx, NY 10463
Description: Join the Friends of Spuyten Duyvil to look for, learn about, and photograph the plants and creatures around us during the City Nature Challenge. Family-friendly activity. No experience needed.
Registration: Via Google Forms: http://bit.ly/FoSDevents

Spring Ephemeral Walk - Van Cortlandt Hike
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 1p - 2:30p
Host: NYC Parks
Location: Van Cortlandt Park
Description: Join NYC Parks staff on a hike around Van Cortlandt Northwest woods to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers. Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way. Please bring water and a snack, as well as your smartphone or camera! If you do not know how to use iNaturalist, arrive 15 minutes early and we will show you how!
Registration: Via NYC Parks: https://www.nycgovparks.org/reg/stewardship/12499

City Nature Challenge: Spuyten Duyvil Shorefront Park
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 1p-3p
Host: Friends of Spuyten Duyvil
Location: Meet at Spuyten Duyvil Metro-North Station pedestrian overpass, Edsall Ave, Bronx, NY 10463
Description: Join the Friends of Spuyten Duyvil to look for, learn about, and photograph the plants and creatures around us during the City Nature Challenge. Family-friendly activity. No experience needed.
Registration: Via Google Forms: http://bit.ly/FoSDevents

BROOKLYN

City Nature Challenge at Green-Wood BioBlitz
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 10a-12p
Host: Green-Wood Cemetery
Location: Green-Wood Cemetery. Meet inside the Main Entrance at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street
Description:Join Sigrid Jakob and Potter Palmer, the project leads of Green-Wood’s Fungi Phenology Project, and Sara Evans, Green-Wood’s manager of horticulture operations, on a guided bioblitz. Orientation, training on data collection (with a focus on using the iNaturalist app), and materials to help with the search will be provided.
Registration: https://www.green-wood.com/event/city-nature-challenge-green-wood-bioblitz/

City Nature Challenge: Spring Blossoms
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 11a-12:30p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Fort Green Park Visitor Center
Description:NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 29-May 1 between cities around the world to see which is most biodiverse. This program will focus on identifying spring blossoms. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. For more info, visit: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2022/05/01/city-nature-challenge-spring-blossoms

MANHATTAN

LES Ecology Center BioBlitz
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 10:30a - 12p
Host: Lower East Side Ecology Center
Location: Seward Park Library
Description: Join the Lower East Side Ecology Center and the Seward Park Conservancy to document species in our very own Seward Park on Sunday May 1! Bring your smartphone and we recommend downloading iNaturalist ahead of the event. Don't worry if you aren't tech savvy - we'll have plenty of support to show you how to use the app and to help troubleshoot any issues.
Registration: Via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-nature-challenge-in-seward-park-tickets-309061931557

Manhattan Land Trust Community Garden Visits
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 10a - 12p
Host: Manhattan Land Trust
Location: Hope Steven Garden, 1656 Amsterdam Avenue, NY, NY 10031
Description: Hope Steven Garden is a vegetable and flower garden in West Harlem with a mural. Join us to check out the garden and make observations of the wild plants and critters that visit the space.
Registration: Via Google Forms - https://forms.gle/JWzwH4n5VLKxiYhCA

Cherry Blossom Festival
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 12p - 3p
Host: Randall's Island Park Alliance
Location: Randall's Island Park
Description: Visit our City Nature Challenge table at our Cherry Blossom Event. Learn how to use iNaturalist and make observations around Randall's Island Park!
Registration: None needed.

Manhattan Land Trust Community Garden Visits
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 12:30p - 2:30p (possible extension 3-5p TBD)
Host: Manhattan Land Trust
Location: Carver Community Garden, 242 East 124th Street, NY, NY 10035
Description: Carver Community Garden is a vegetable and flower garden in East Harlem. Join us to check out the garden and make observations of the wild plants and critters that visit the space.
Registration: Via Google Forms - https://forms.gle/JWzwH4n5VLKxiYhCA

QUEENS

Flushing Meadows Corona Park BioBlitz
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 11a - 1p
Host: Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Location: Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Description: Join the Environmental Stewardship Team on Sunday May 1st to participate in the our very own Bioblitz for City Nature Challenge 2022! This challenge helps identify and track species of plants, animals, marine life, and more worldwide by allowing users to photograph observations, upload the image to the iNaturalist app, and identify the species. This simple method of observing species records the exact location, day, and time a specimen was found and once the image is uploaded to the iNaturalist database, other users can confirm the species name to elevate it to a qualified research grade observation. This worldwide challenge gets the community more engaged in the matter of conservation and environmental awareness. All you need is a smartphone with a camera and an iNaturalist account (app is free to download) to get started!
Registration: http://allianceforfmcp.org/stewardship (direct link to Google forms registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc6EOLMweGSc_gDLKInn2Xq3yiUOq2obpRrBGD5MXQiroAi2g/viewform)

CNC at Fort Tilden
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 11a - 1p
Host: Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy
Location: Fort Tilden
Description: Coming soon!
Registration: Coming soon!

STATEN ISLAND

Torrey Botanical Society Field Trip
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 10a - 2p
Host: Torrey Botanical Society
Location: North Mount Loretto State Forest
Description: North Mt. Loretto State Forest is a diverse green space in Staten Island featuring hardwood forest and several wetland features. It provides critical habitat for plants and animals including amphibians and birds. It is home to many locally rare vascular plants and bryophytes. The only population of Solidago puberula (downy goldenrod) in NYC is found here. Participants of all levels are welcome! Local naturalists with expertise on plants, birds, and insects will share their knowledge on the biodiversity of the site and how to make meaningful observations. The bioblitz will be led by Zihao Wang (@zihaowang)
Registration: Via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/north-mt-loretto-state-forest-bio-blitz-city-nature-challenge-2022-tickets-310556030447

City Nature Challenge: Biodiversity Hike and Cleanup
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 11a-12:30p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Clove Lakes Park (meet in parking lot at Clove Road and Park Drive, Staten Island)
Description:NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 29-May 1 between cities around the world to see which is most biodiverse. This program will focus on identifying living species. We will then engage in a clean up of litter in the surrounding area. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. For more info, visit: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2022/05/01/city-nature-challenge-biodiversity-hike-and-cleanup

Monday, May 2

No events held on this day because of the holiday. Keep making observations on your own! Eid Mubarak to all those who are celebrating.

Virutal ID Parties for CNC Identification Period (ends May 9 @ 9am local time)

CNC:NYC Virtual ID Party
Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Time:5:30p-7:30p
Host: Kelly O'Donnell (@klodonnell) at Macaulay Honors College
Location: online via Zoom
Description:Grab a snack and a tasty beverage and hop on our Zoom to make identifications together! No taxonomic experience necessary - everyone is welcome! The basic format will be a quick intro about how to ID observations and then you'll work on them on your own while on the call. We'll hang out and chat about the cool critters people have found or the funny observations people have made.
Registration: Via eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-nature-challenge-nyc-virtual-id-party-registration-300121269797

Torrey Plant ID Party
Date: Thursday, May 5, 2022
Time:6p-7:30p
Host: Chris Kreussling (@xris) and Torrey Botanical Society
Location: online via Zoom
Description:Following the observation days of the City Nature Challenge (April 29-May 2) is the identification period. There will be thousands of observations uploaded from NYC and worldwide which will be in need of identification! Prepare your favorite snack or beverage and join our virtual ID Party to make identifications together! We will give a quick introduction to identifying observations on iNaturalist. Then, while everyone works through identifications, feel free to share fun or interesting finds, as well as to ask for identification assistance from others on the call. No taxonomic expertise is necessary! Lots of identifications will be marked as “unknown”, and even a label of “plant” or “animal” is a step closer to full identification of the observation. If you don’t already have an iNaturalist account, be sure to create one before the event!
Registration: Via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckcumvqTItHtaQz06VPUEF8p6wRnFPtpa1

We are off to a great start, NYC! We're already over 2000 observations and 500 species and more observations have been rolling in as I type this post. We've got a couple more days of great weather. Keep going, NYC!

Battle of the Boroughs update: Bronx is coming out strong with the most observations. Brooklyn has the most species and Manhattan has the most observers.

Here are the first observations added in each borough:
@sara47 with Virginia Spring Beauty in the Bronx
@lisabrundage with a House Finch in Brooklyn
@olibclarke with a White-throated Sparrow in Manhattan
@teresanaturalist with Spring Vetch in Queens (the first observation added for all of NYC)
@ktoal5 with a Common Dandelion in Staten Island

Greenspace Race update: Participating parks are already over 1000 observations! Let's cheer them on to their goal of 5000 observations!

And don't forget, here are all the great free events we have Saturday and Sunday. To get to the main list of events visit: https://tinyurl.com/nyc2022events

Saturday, April 30

BRONX

Mini BioBlitz
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 10a - 1p
Host: Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
Location: Van Cortlandt Park Alliance Garden and Compost Site
Description: Public will join VCPA staff in a guided bioblitz through iNaturalist. The program will begin with an iNaturalist best practices overview followed by a group bioblitz in the Vault Hill section of Van Cortlandt Park.
Registration: Via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/287980426207

City Nature Challenge: Henry Hudson Park
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 10a - 12p
Host: Friends of Spuyten Duyvil
Location: Independence Ave & W 227th St. Meet at the statue.
Description:Join the Friends of Spuyten Duyvil to look for, learn about, and photograph the plants and creatures around us during the City Nature Challenge. Family-friendly activity. No experience needed.
Registration: Via Google Form: http://bit.ly/FoSDevents

City Nature Challenge: Arbor Day Tree ID
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 1p-2p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Crotona Park Nature Center (Crotona Park East and Charlotte Street, Bronx)
Description:NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 29-May 1 between cities around the world to see which is most biodiverse. This program will focus on identifying trees. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. For more info, visit: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2022/04/30/city-nature-challenge-arbor-day-tree-id

BROOKLYN

Birds and Insects Walking Tour
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 10a - 12p
Host: NYC H2O
Location: Ridgewood Reservoir (Highland Park)
Description: Let's put Highland Park and Ridgewood Reservoir on the map! Our first walk will be led by Ken Chaya - a consultant for NYBG, perhaps best know for mapping the location of all 19,933 trees in Central Park to produce the prolifically illustrated "Central Park Entire" map.
Registration: Via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-nature-challenge-ridgewood-reservoir-birds-insects-id-walking-tour-tickets-294933984487

Plants and Herbals Walking Tour
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 12p - 2p
Host: NYC H2O
Location: Ridgewood Reservoir (Highland Park)
Description: Let's put Highland Park and Ridgewood Reservoir on the map!
Our second walk will be led by Jocelyn Perez-Blanco - a local educator, conservationist, and Herbalists Without Borders (HWB) NYC Queens Chapter Coordinator.
Registration: Via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-nature-challenge-ridgewood-reservoir-plant-id-walking-tour-tickets-294953843887?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

MANHATTAN

Washington Square Park Info Table
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 10a - 12p
Host: WSP Eco Projects
Location: Washington Square Park (table will be in Garibaldi Plaza, east of the fountain)
Description: Come find out more about how the City Nature Challenge works and make some nature observations at Washington Square Park!
Registration: None needed

Manhattan Land Trust Community Garden Visits
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 12:30p-2:30p
Host: Manhattan Land Trust
Location: Albert's Garden, 18 East 2nd Street, NY, NY 10003
Description: Albert's Garden is a shade garden with trees, a mural, and a water feature in the Bowery. Join us to check out the garden and make observations of the wild plants and critters that visit the space.
Registration: via Google Forms - https://forms.gle/JWzwH4n5VLKxiYhCA

City Nature Challenge: Biodiversity Hike
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 1p-2:30p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Inwood Hill Park (218th Street and Indian Road in Inwood Hill Park
Manhattan)
Description:NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 29-May 1 between cities around the world to see which is most biodiverse. This program will focus on identifying all living organisms. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. For more info, visit: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2022/04/30/city-nature-challenge-biodiversity-hike1

Manhattan Land Trust Community Garden Visits
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 3p-5p
Host: Manhattan Land Trust
Location: Parque de Tranquilidad, 318 East 4th Street, NY, NY 10009
Description: Parque de Tranquilidad is a shade garden with trees and a pollinator garden in the East Village. Join us to check out the garden and make observations of the wild plants and critters that visit the space.
Registration: via Google Forms - https://forms.gle/JWzwH4n5VLKxiYhCA

Manhattan Land Trust Community Garden Visits
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 3p-5p
Host: Manhattan Land Trust
Location: All People's Garden, 295 East 3rd Street, NY, NY 10009
Description: All People's Garden is a shade garden with trees and benches in the East Village. Join us to check out the garden and make observations of the wild plants and critters that visit the space.
Registration: via Google Forms - https://forms.gle/JWzwH4n5VLKxiYhCA

QUEENS

Latino Outdoors Observation Day at Jamaica Bay
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 10a - 3p
Host: Latino Outdoors
Location: Jamaica Bay (meeting location will be provided upon registration)
Description: Help Latino Outdoors count nature in our city! This is an all-ages bioblitz at Jamaica Bay, part of this year's City Nature Challenge. Prepare to see lots of cool things in a beautiful, calm setting! Please register through our Eventbrite and we will share additional info with you. When you register, be sure to select the ticket for the correct date and event, so we send you the right info!
Registration: Via Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lo-nyc-the-city-nature-challenge-2022-tickets-315894487917

Spring Ephemeral Walk - Alley Pond Park Hike
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 11a - 12:30p
Host: NYC Parks
Location: Alley Pond Park
Description: Join NYC Parks staff on a hike around Alley Pond Park to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers. Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way. Please bring water and a snack, as well as your smartphone or camera! If you do not know how to use iNaturalist, arrive 15 minutes early and we will show you how!
Registration: Via NYC Parks: https://www.nycgovparks.org/reg/stewardship/12496

City Nature Challenge: Biodiversity Hike
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 1p-2:30p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Park Drive East and 73rd Street in Flushing Meadows Corona Park)
Description:NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 29-May 1 between cities around the world to see which is most biodiverse. This program will focus on identifying all visible living species near Willow Lake. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. For more info, visit: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2022/04/30/city-nature-challenge-biodiversity-hike

Birds and Insects Walking Tour
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 10a - 12p
Host: NYC H2O
Location: Ridgewood Reservoir (Highland Park)
Description: Let's put Highland Park and Ridgewood Reservoir on the map! Our first walk will be led by Ken Chaya - a consultant for NYBG, perhaps best know for mapping the location of all 19,933 trees in Central Park to produce the prolifically illustrated "Central Park Entire" map.
Registration: Via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-nature-challenge-ridgewood-reservoir-birds-insects-id-walking-tour-tickets-294933984487

Plants and Herbals Walking Tour
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 12p - 2p
Host: NYC H2O
Location: Ridgewood Reservoir (Highland Park)
Description: Let's put Highland Park and Ridgewood Reservoir on the map!
Our second walk will be led by Jocelyn Perez-Blanco - a local educator, conservationist, and Herbalists Without Borders (HWB) NYC Queens Chapter Coordinator.
Registration: Via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-nature-challenge-ridgewood-reservoir-plant-id-walking-tour-tickets-294953843887?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

STATEN ISLAND

iNaturalist Meet-Up @ Conference House Park
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 10a
Host: Sara Rall (@srall)
Location: Conference House Park (298 Satterlee Street, Staten Island)
Description: Join one of Staten Island's top observers, Sara Rall, for an informal iNaturalist meet-up at Conference House Park.
RSVP: Please message @srall through iNaturalist if you would like to attend this meet-up.

Spring Ephemeral Walk - Bucks Hollow Hike
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 12p - 1:30p
Host: NYC Parks
Location: Latourette Park and Golf Course
Description: Join NYC Parks staff on a hike around the Bucks Hollow Trail to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers. Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way. Please bring water and a snack, as well as your smartphone or camera! If you do not know how to use iNaturalist, arrive 15 minutes early and we will show you how!
Registration: Via NYC Parks: https://www.nycgovparks.org/reg/stewardship/12497

Spring Ephemeral Walk - High Rock Park Hike
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 2p - 3:30p
Host: NYC Parks
Location: High Rock Park
Description: Join NYC Parks staff on a hike around High Rock Park to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers. Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way. Please bring water and a snack, as well as your smartphone or camera! If you do not know how to use iNaturalist, arrive 15 minutes early and we will show you how!
Registration: Via NYC Parks: https://www.nycgovparks.org/reg/stewardship/12498

Sunday, May 1

BRONX

Latino Outdoors - Semillitas Outdoors
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 9:30a-1p
Host: Latino Outdoors
Location: Bronx Forest (meeting location will be provided upon registration)
Description: As part of our Semillitas Outdoors week, which celebrates Latinx children in the outdoors, we will be hosting this kid-centered CNC event, where children and their families will be provided with guidance to create and submit quality observations to the CNC. Prepare yourself to see both a river and forest environment! Please note, this event is ONLY for families with kids. If this does not apply to you, but you wish to participate, consider joining us at Jamaica Bay on Saturday 4/30 (see above listing). Register through our Eventbrite and we will share additional info with you. When you register, be sure to select the ticket for the correct date and event, so we send you the right info!
Registration: Via Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lo-nyc-the-city-nature-challenge-2022-tickets-315894487917

Mini BioBlitz
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 10a - 1p
Host: Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
Location: Outside Van Cortlandt Golf Course Clubhouse
Description: Public will join VCPA staff in a guided bioblitz through iNaturalist. The program will begin with an iNaturalist best practices overview followed by a group bioblitz in the Vault Hill section of Van Cortlandt Park.
Registration: Via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/287984217547

City Nature Challenge: Spuyten Duyvil Shorefront Park
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 10a - 12p
Host: Friends of Spuyten Duyvil
Location: Meet at Half Moon Overlook, between 2465 & 2475 Palisade Avenue, Bronx, NY 10463
Description: Join the Friends of Spuyten Duyvil to look for, learn about, and photograph the plants and creatures around us during the City Nature Challenge. Family-friendly activity. No experience needed.
Registration: Via Google Forms: http://bit.ly/FoSDevents

Spring Ephemeral Walk - Van Cortlandt Hike
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 1p - 2:30p
Host: NYC Parks
Location: Van Cortlandt Park
Description: Join NYC Parks staff on a hike around Van Cortlandt Northwest woods to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers. Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way. Please bring water and a snack, as well as your smartphone or camera! If you do not know how to use iNaturalist, arrive 15 minutes early and we will show you how!
Registration: Via NYC Parks: https://www.nycgovparks.org/reg/stewardship/12499

City Nature Challenge: Spuyten Duyvil Shorefront Park
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 1p-3p
Host: Friends of Spuyten Duyvil
Location: Meet at Spuyten Duyvil Metro-North Station pedestrian overpass, Edsall Ave, Bronx, NY 10463
Description: Join the Friends of Spuyten Duyvil to look for, learn about, and photograph the plants and creatures around us during the City Nature Challenge. Family-friendly activity. No experience needed.
Registration: Via Google Forms: http://bit.ly/FoSDevents

BROOKLYN

City Nature Challenge at Green-Wood BioBlitz
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 10a-12p
Host: Green-Wood Cemetery
Location: Green-Wood Cemetery. Meet inside the Main Entrance at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street
Description:Join Sigrid Jakob and Potter Palmer, the project leads of Green-Wood’s Fungi Phenology Project, and Sara Evans, Green-Wood’s manager of horticulture operations, on a guided bioblitz. Orientation, training on data collection (with a focus on using the iNaturalist app), and materials to help with the search will be provided.
Registration: https://www.green-wood.com/event/city-nature-challenge-green-wood-bioblitz/

City Nature Challenge: Spring Blossoms
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 11a-12:30p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Fort Green Park Visitor Center
Description:NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 29-May 1 between cities around the world to see which is most biodiverse. This program will focus on identifying spring blossoms. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. For more info, visit: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2022/05/01/city-nature-challenge-spring-blossoms

MANHATTAN

LES Ecology Center BioBlitz
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 10:30a - 12p
Host: Lower East Side Ecology Center
Location: Seward Park Library
Description: Join the Lower East Side Ecology Center and the Seward Park Conservancy to document species in our very own Seward Park on Sunday May 1! Bring your smartphone and we recommend downloading iNaturalist ahead of the event. Don't worry if you aren't tech savvy - we'll have plenty of support to show you how to use the app and to help troubleshoot any issues.
Registration: Via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-nature-challenge-in-seward-park-tickets-309061931557

Manhattan Land Trust Community Garden Visits
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 10a - 12p
Host: Manhattan Land Trust
Location: Hope Steven Garden, 1656 Amsterdam Avenue, NY, NY 10031
Description: Hope Steven Garden is a vegetable and flower garden in West Harlem with a mural. Join us to check out the garden and make observations of the wild plants and critters that visit the space.
Registration: Via Google Forms - https://forms.gle/JWzwH4n5VLKxiYhCA

Cherry Blossom Festival
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 12p - 3p
Host: Randall's Island Park Alliance
Location: Randall's Island Park
Description: Visit our City Nature Challenge table at our Cherry Blossom Event. Learn how to use iNaturalist and make observations around Randall's Island Park!
Registration: None needed.

Manhattan Land Trust Community Garden Visits
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 12:30p - 2:30p (possible extension 3-5p TBD)
Host: Manhattan Land Trust
Location: Carver Community Garden, 242 East 124th Street, NY, NY 10035
Description: Carver Community Garden is a vegetable and flower garden in East Harlem. Join us to check out the garden and make observations of the wild plants and critters that visit the space.
Registration: Via Google Forms - https://forms.gle/JWzwH4n5VLKxiYhCA

QUEENS

Flushing Meadows Corona Park BioBlitz
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 11a - 1p
Host: Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Location: Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Description: Join the Environmental Stewardship Team on Sunday May 1st to participate in the our very own Bioblitz for City Nature Challenge 2022! This challenge helps identify and track species of plants, animals, marine life, and more worldwide by allowing users to photograph observations, upload the image to the iNaturalist app, and identify the species. This simple method of observing species records the exact location, day, and time a specimen was found and once the image is uploaded to the iNaturalist database, other users can confirm the species name to elevate it to a qualified research grade observation. This worldwide challenge gets the community more engaged in the matter of conservation and environmental awareness. All you need is a smartphone with a camera and an iNaturalist account (app is free to download) to get started!
Registration: http://allianceforfmcp.org/stewardship (direct link to Google forms registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc6EOLMweGSc_gDLKInn2Xq3yiUOq2obpRrBGD5MXQiroAi2g/viewform)

CNC at Fort Tilden
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 11a - 1p
Host: Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy
Location: Fort Tilden
Description: Coming soon!
Registration: Coming soon!

STATEN ISLAND

Torrey Botanical Society Field Trip
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 10a - 2p
Host: Torrey Botanical Society
Location: North Mount Loretto State Forest
Description: North Mt. Loretto State Forest is a diverse green space in Staten Island featuring hardwood forest and several wetland features. It provides critical habitat for plants and animals including amphibians and birds. It is home to many locally rare vascular plants and bryophytes. The only population of Solidago puberula (downy goldenrod) in NYC is found here. Participants of all levels are welcome! Local naturalists with expertise on plants, birds, and insects will share their knowledge on the biodiversity of the site and how to make meaningful observations. The bioblitz will be led by Zihao Wang (@zihaowang)
Registration: Via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/north-mt-loretto-state-forest-bio-blitz-city-nature-challenge-2022-tickets-310556030447

City Nature Challenge: Biodiversity Hike and Cleanup
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 11a-12:30p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Clove Lakes Park (meet in parking lot at Clove Road and Park Drive, Staten Island)
Description:NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 29-May 1 between cities around the world to see which is most biodiverse. This program will focus on identifying living species. We will then engage in a clean up of litter in the surrounding area. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. For more info, visit: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2022/05/01/city-nature-challenge-biodiversity-hike-and-cleanup

Monday, May 2

No events held on this day because of the holiday. Keep making observations on your own! Eid Mubarak to all those who are celebrating.

Virutal ID Parties for CNC Identification Period (ends May 9 @ 9am local time)

CNC:NYC Virtual ID Party
Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Time:5:30p-7:30p
Host: Kelly O'Donnell (@klodonnell) at Macaulay Honors College
Location: online via Zoom
Description:Grab a snack and a tasty beverage and hop on our Zoom to make identifications together! No taxonomic experience necessary - everyone is welcome! The basic format will be a quick intro about how to ID observations and then you'll work on them on your own while on the call. We'll hang out and chat about the cool critters people have found or the funny observations people have made.
Registration: Via eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-nature-challenge-nyc-virtual-id-party-registration-300121269797

Torrey Plant ID Party
Date: Thursday, May 5, 2022
Time:6p-7:30p
Host: Chris Kreussling (@xris) and Torrey Botanical Society
Location: online via Zoom
Description:Following the observation days of the City Nature Challenge (April 29-May 2) is the identification period. There will be thousands of observations uploaded from NYC and worldwide which will be in need of identification! Prepare your favorite snack or beverage and join our virtual ID Party to make identifications together! We will give a quick introduction to identifying observations on iNaturalist. Then, while everyone works through identifications, feel free to share fun or interesting finds, as well as to ask for identification assistance from others on the call. No taxonomic expertise is necessary! Lots of identifications will be marked as “unknown”, and even a label of “plant” or “animal” is a step closer to full identification of the observation. If you don’t already have an iNaturalist account, be sure to create one before the event!
Registration: Via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckcumvqTItHtaQz06VPUEF8p6wRnFPtpa1

The City Nature Challenge: New York City starts tomorrow! The events list has just been updated and we'll be having about 40 events across all five boroughs during the observation days of CNC (April 29-May2). Check out that list here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2022-new-york-city/journal/63754

We also have two virtual ID parties scheduled for the Identification Phase of the CNC which will end 9am local time on May 9. Get them on you calendar now! Here are the details:

CNC:NYC Virtual ID Party
Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Time:5:30p-7:30p
Host: Kelly O'Donnell (@klodonnell) at Macaulay Honors College
Location: online via Zoom
Description:Grab a snack and a tasty beverage and hop on our Zoom to make identifications together! No taxonomic experience necessary - everyone is welcome! The basic format will be a quick intro about how to ID observations and then you'll work on them on your own while on the call. We'll hang out and chat about the cool critters people have found or the funny observations people have made.
Registration: Via eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-nature-challenge-nyc-virtual-id-party-registration-300121269797

Torrey Plant ID Party
Date: Thursday, May 5, 2022
Time:6p-7:30p
Host: Chris Kreussling (@xris) and Torrey Botanical Society
Location: online via Zoom
Description:Following the observation days of the City Nature Challenge (April 29-May 2) is the identification period. There will be thousands of observations uploaded from NYC and worldwide which will be in need of identification! Prepare your favorite snack or beverage and join our virtual ID Party to make identifications together! We will give a quick introduction to identifying observations on iNaturalist. Then, while everyone works through identifications, feel free to share fun or interesting finds, as well as to ask for identification assistance from others on the call. No taxonomic expertise is necessary! Lots of identifications will be marked as “unknown”, and even a label of “plant” or “animal” is a step closer to full identification of the observation. If you don’t already have an iNaturalist account, be sure to create one before the event!
Registration: Via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckcumvqTItHtaQz06VPUEF8p6wRnFPtpa1

This post is going to be the master list for all NYC CNC events. From now on, I'll update this post if anything changes, so you can bookmark the link to this post and always be able to see our most current event list. If you want to shortened link to share, use: https://tinyurl.com/nyc2022events

UPDATED April 28 - TBD details have been added to previously listed events, including the registration links for the two ID parties next week (5/4 and 5/5). Latino Outdoors events on 4/30 in Queens and 5/1 in the Bronx added. Ridgewood Reservoir BioBlitz is now listed in both Queens and Brooklyn because it's on the border. Green-Wood Cemetery (Brooklyn) event added on 5/1.

These events are all FREE, but some do have limited space and require registration ahead of time. The registration links are provided below. Thank you to all of our great partner organizations for hosting these events! Let's go NYC!

Friday, April 29

BRONX

Spring Ephemeral Walk - Van Cortlandt Hike
Date: Friday, April 29, 2022
Time: 12p - 1:30p
Host: NYC Parks
Location: Van Cortlandt Park
Description: Join NYC Parks staff on a hike around Van Cortlandt Northwest woods to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers. Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way. Please bring water and a snack, as well as your smartphone or camera! If you do not know how to use iNaturalist, arrive 15 minutes early and we will show you how!
Registration: Via NYC Parks: https://www.nycgovparks.org/reg/stewardship/12493

BROOKLYN

CNC BioBlitz: Birds, Plants, and Pollinators!
Date: Friday, April 29, 2022
Time: 12p-2p
Host: Torrey Botanical Society
Location: Calvert Vaux Park
Description:Calvert Vaux Park is an under-explored park in Brooklyn with several trails and a waterfront view of the Verrazano Bridge. The event will take place during low tide to take advantage of the exposed shoreline. We will meet inside the park at the "Pollinator Place" near the pedestrian bridge over Shore Pkwy. Participants of all levels are welcome! Local naturalists with expertise in plants, birds, and insects will share their knowledge on the biodiversity of the park and how to make meaningful observations.
Registration:Via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/calvert-vaux-park-bio-blitz-city-nature-challenge-2022-tickets-310138581847

MANHATTAN

Madison Square Park Info Table
Date: Friday, April 29, 2022
Time: 10a-3p
Host: Madison Square Park Conservancy
Location: Madison Square Park
Description: Come visit our table to get some info about the CNC and tips for using iNaturalist. Stay and make a few observations in the park to help with the CNC:NYC Greenspace Race.
Registration: None needed.

QUEENS

Spring Ephemeral Walk - Forest Park Hike
Date: Friday, April 29, 2022
Time: 11a - 12:30p
Host: NYC Parks
Location: Forest Park
Description: join NYC Parks staff on a hike around Forest Park to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers. Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way. Please bring water and a snack, as well as your smartphone or camera! If you do not know how to use iNaturalist, arrive 15 minutes early and we will show you how!
Registration: Via NYC Parks: https://www.nycgovparks.org/reg/stewardship/12494

Saturday, April 30

BRONX

Mini BioBlitz
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 10a - 1p
Host: Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
Location: Van Cortlandt Park Alliance Garden and Compost Site
Description: Public will join VCPA staff in a guided bioblitz through iNaturalist. The program will begin with an iNaturalist best practices overview followed by a group bioblitz in the Vault Hill section of Van Cortlandt Park.
Registration: Via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/287980426207

City Nature Challenge: Henry Hudson Park
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 10a - 12p
Host: Friends of Spuyten Duyvil
Location: Independence Ave & W 227th St. Meet at the statue.
Description:Join the Friends of Spuyten Duyvil to look for, learn about, and photograph the plants and creatures around us during the City Nature Challenge. Family-friendly activity. No experience needed.
Registration: Via Google Form: http://bit.ly/FoSDevents

City Nature Challenge: Arbor Day Tree ID
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 1p-2p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Crotona Park Nature Center (Crotona Park East and Charlotte Street, Bronx)
Description:NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 29-May 1 between cities around the world to see which is most biodiverse. This program will focus on identifying trees. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. For more info, visit: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2022/04/30/city-nature-challenge-arbor-day-tree-id

BROOKLYN

Birds and Insects Walking Tour
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 10a - 12p
Host: NYC H2O
Location: Ridgewood Reservoir (Highland Park)
Description: Let's put Highland Park and Ridgewood Reservoir on the map! Our first walk will be led by Ken Chaya - a consultant for NYBG, perhaps best know for mapping the location of all 19,933 trees in Central Park to produce the prolifically illustrated "Central Park Entire" map.
Registration: Via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-nature-challenge-ridgewood-reservoir-birds-insects-id-walking-tour-tickets-294933984487

Plants and Herbals Walking Tour
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 12p - 2p
Host: NYC H2O
Location: Ridgewood Reservoir (Highland Park)
Description: Let's put Highland Park and Ridgewood Reservoir on the map!
Our second walk will be led by Jocelyn Perez-Blanco - a local educator, conservationist, and Herbalists Without Borders (HWB) NYC Queens Chapter Coordinator.
Registration: Via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-nature-challenge-ridgewood-reservoir-plant-id-walking-tour-tickets-294953843887?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

MANHATTAN

Washington Square Park Info Table
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 10a - 12p
Host: WSP Eco Projects
Location: Washington Square Park (table will be in Garibaldi Plaza, east of the fountain)
Description: Come find out more about how the City Nature Challenge works and make some nature observations at Washington Square Park!
Registration: None needed

Manhattan Land Trust Community Garden Visits
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 12:30p-2:30p
Host: Manhattan Land Trust
Location: Albert's Garden, 18 East 2nd Street, NY, NY 10003
Description: Albert's Garden is a shade garden with trees, a mural, and a water feature in the Bowery. Join us to check out the garden and make observations of the wild plants and critters that visit the space.
Registration: via Google Forms - https://forms.gle/JWzwH4n5VLKxiYhCA

City Nature Challenge: Biodiversity Hike
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 1p-2:30p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Inwood Hill Park (218th Street and Indian Road in Inwood Hill Park
Manhattan)
Description:NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 29-May 1 between cities around the world to see which is most biodiverse. This program will focus on identifying all living organisms. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. For more info, visit: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2022/04/30/city-nature-challenge-biodiversity-hike1

Manhattan Land Trust Community Garden Visits
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 3p-5p
Host: Manhattan Land Trust
Location: Parque de Tranquilidad, 318 East 4th Street, NY, NY 10009
Description: Parque de Tranquilidad is a shade garden with trees and a pollinator garden in the East Village. Join us to check out the garden and make observations of the wild plants and critters that visit the space.
Registration: via Google Forms - https://forms.gle/JWzwH4n5VLKxiYhCA

Manhattan Land Trust Community Garden Visits
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 3p-5p
Host: Manhattan Land Trust
Location: All People's Garden, 295 East 3rd Street, NY, NY 10009
Description: All People's Garden is a shade garden with trees and benches in the East Village. Join us to check out the garden and make observations of the wild plants and critters that visit the space.
Registration: via Google Forms - https://forms.gle/JWzwH4n5VLKxiYhCA

QUEENS

Latino Outdoors Observation Day at Jamaica Bay
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 10a - 3p
Host: Latino Outdoors
Location: Jamaica Bay (meeting location will be provided upon registration)
Description: Help Latino Outdoors count nature in our city! This is an all-ages bioblitz at Jamaica Bay, part of this year's City Nature Challenge. Prepare to see lots of cool things in a beautiful, calm setting! Please register through our Eventbrite and we will share additional info with you. When you register, be sure to select the ticket for the correct date and event, so we send you the right info!
Registration: Via Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lo-nyc-the-city-nature-challenge-2022-tickets-315894487917

Spring Ephemeral Walk - Alley Pond Park Hike
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 11a - 12:30p
Host: NYC Parks
Location: Alley Pond Park
Description: Join NYC Parks staff on a hike around Alley Pond Park to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers. Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way. Please bring water and a snack, as well as your smartphone or camera! If you do not know how to use iNaturalist, arrive 15 minutes early and we will show you how!
Registration: Via NYC Parks: https://www.nycgovparks.org/reg/stewardship/12496

City Nature Challenge: Biodiversity Hike
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 1p-2:30p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Park Drive East and 73rd Street in Flushing Meadows Corona Park)
Description:NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 29-May 1 between cities around the world to see which is most biodiverse. This program will focus on identifying all visible living species near Willow Lake. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. For more info, visit: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2022/04/30/city-nature-challenge-biodiversity-hike

Birds and Insects Walking Tour
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 10a - 12p
Host: NYC H2O
Location: Ridgewood Reservoir (Highland Park)
Description: Let's put Highland Park and Ridgewood Reservoir on the map! Our first walk will be led by Ken Chaya - a consultant for NYBG, perhaps best know for mapping the location of all 19,933 trees in Central Park to produce the prolifically illustrated "Central Park Entire" map.
Registration: Via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-nature-challenge-ridgewood-reservoir-birds-insects-id-walking-tour-tickets-294933984487

Plants and Herbals Walking Tour
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 12p - 2p
Host: NYC H2O
Location: Ridgewood Reservoir (Highland Park)
Description: Let's put Highland Park and Ridgewood Reservoir on the map!
Our second walk will be led by Jocelyn Perez-Blanco - a local educator, conservationist, and Herbalists Without Borders (HWB) NYC Queens Chapter Coordinator.
Registration: Via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-nature-challenge-ridgewood-reservoir-plant-id-walking-tour-tickets-294953843887?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

STATEN ISLAND

iNaturalist Meet-Up @ Conference House Park
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 10a
Host: Sara Rall (@srall)
Location: Conference House Park (298 Satterlee Street, Staten Island)
Description: Join one of Staten Island's top observers, Sara Rall, for an informal iNaturalist meet-up at Conference House Park.
RSVP: Please message @srall through iNaturalist if you would like to attend this meet-up.

Spring Ephemeral Walk - Bucks Hollow Hike
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 12p - 1:30p
Host: NYC Parks
Location: Latourette Park and Golf Course
Description: Join NYC Parks staff on a hike around the Bucks Hollow Trail to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers. Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way. Please bring water and a snack, as well as your smartphone or camera! If you do not know how to use iNaturalist, arrive 15 minutes early and we will show you how!
Registration: Via NYC Parks: https://www.nycgovparks.org/reg/stewardship/12497

Spring Ephemeral Walk - High Rock Park Hike
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 2p - 3:30p
Host: NYC Parks
Location: High Rock Park
Description: Join NYC Parks staff on a hike around High Rock Park to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers. Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way. Please bring water and a snack, as well as your smartphone or camera! If you do not know how to use iNaturalist, arrive 15 minutes early and we will show you how!
Registration: Via NYC Parks: https://www.nycgovparks.org/reg/stewardship/12498

Sunday, May 1

BRONX

Latino Outdoors - Semillitas Outdoors
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 9:30a-1p
Host: Latino Outdoors
Location: Bronx Forest (meeting location will be provided upon registration)
Description: As part of our Semillitas Outdoors week, which celebrates Latinx children in the outdoors, we will be hosting this kid-centered CNC event, where children and their families will be provided with guidance to create and submit quality observations to the CNC. Prepare yourself to see both a river and forest environment! Please note, this event is ONLY for families with kids. If this does not apply to you, but you wish to participate, consider joining us at Jamaica Bay on Saturday 4/30 (see above listing). Register through our Eventbrite and we will share additional info with you. When you register, be sure to select the ticket for the correct date and event, so we send you the right info!
Registration: Via Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lo-nyc-the-city-nature-challenge-2022-tickets-315894487917

Mini BioBlitz
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 10a - 1p
Host: Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
Location: Outside Van Cortlandt Golf Course Clubhouse
Description: Public will join VCPA staff in a guided bioblitz through iNaturalist. The program will begin with an iNaturalist best practices overview followed by a group bioblitz in the Vault Hill section of Van Cortlandt Park.
Registration: Via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/287984217547

City Nature Challenge: Spuyten Duyvil Shorefront Park
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 10a - 12p
Host: Friends of Spuyten Duyvil
Location: Meet at Half Moon Overlook, between 2465 & 2475 Palisade Avenue, Bronx, NY 10463
Description: Join the Friends of Spuyten Duyvil to look for, learn about, and photograph the plants and creatures around us during the City Nature Challenge. Family-friendly activity. No experience needed.
Registration: Via Google Forms: http://bit.ly/FoSDevents

Spring Ephemeral Walk - Van Cortlandt Hike
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 1p - 2:30p
Host: NYC Parks
Location: Van Cortlandt Park
Description: Join NYC Parks staff on a hike around Van Cortlandt Northwest woods to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers. Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way. Please bring water and a snack, as well as your smartphone or camera! If you do not know how to use iNaturalist, arrive 15 minutes early and we will show you how!
Registration: Via NYC Parks: https://www.nycgovparks.org/reg/stewardship/12499

City Nature Challenge: Spuyten Duyvil Shorefront Park
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 1p-3p
Host: Friends of Spuyten Duyvil
Location: Meet at Spuyten Duyvil Metro-North Station pedestrian overpass, Edsall Ave, Bronx, NY 10463
Description: Join the Friends of Spuyten Duyvil to look for, learn about, and photograph the plants and creatures around us during the City Nature Challenge. Family-friendly activity. No experience needed.
Registration: Via Google Forms: http://bit.ly/FoSDevents

BROOKLYN

City Nature Challenge at Green-Wood BioBlitz
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 10a-12p
Host: Green-Wood Cemetery
Location: Green-Wood Cemetery. Meet inside the Main Entrance at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street
Description:Join Sigrid Jakob and Potter Palmer, the project leads of Green-Wood’s Fungi Phenology Project, and Sara Evans, Green-Wood’s manager of horticulture operations, on a guided bioblitz. Orientation, training on data collection (with a focus on using the iNaturalist app), and materials to help with the search will be provided.
Registration: https://www.green-wood.com/event/city-nature-challenge-green-wood-bioblitz/

City Nature Challenge: Spring Blossoms
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 11a-12:30p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Fort Green Park Visitor Center
Description:NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 29-May 1 between cities around the world to see which is most biodiverse. This program will focus on identifying spring blossoms. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. For more info, visit: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2022/05/01/city-nature-challenge-spring-blossoms

MANHATTAN

LES Ecology Center BioBlitz
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 10:30a - 12p
Host: Lower East Side Ecology Center
Location: Seward Park Library
Description: Join the Lower East Side Ecology Center and the Seward Park Conservancy to document species in our very own Seward Park on Sunday May 1! Bring your smartphone and we recommend downloading iNaturalist ahead of the event. Don't worry if you aren't tech savvy - we'll have plenty of support to show you how to use the app and to help troubleshoot any issues.
Registration: Via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-nature-challenge-in-seward-park-tickets-309061931557

Manhattan Land Trust Community Garden Visits
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 10a - 12p
Host: Manhattan Land Trust
Location: Hope Steven Garden, 1656 Amsterdam Avenue, NY, NY 10031
Description: Hope Steven Garden is a vegetable and flower garden in West Harlem with a mural. Join us to check out the garden and make observations of the wild plants and critters that visit the space.
Registration: Via Google Forms - https://forms.gle/JWzwH4n5VLKxiYhCA

Cherry Blossom Festival
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 12p - 3p
Host: Randall's Island Park Alliance
Location: Randall's Island Park
Description: Visit our City Nature Challenge table at our Cherry Blossom Event. Learn how to use iNaturalist and make observations around Randall's Island Park!
Registration: None needed.

Manhattan Land Trust Community Garden Visits
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 12:30p - 2:30p (possible extension 3-5p TBD)
Host: Manhattan Land Trust
Location: Carver Community Garden, 242 East 124th Street, NY, NY 10035
Description: Carver Community Garden is a vegetable and flower garden in East Harlem. Join us to check out the garden and make observations of the wild plants and critters that visit the space.
Registration: Via Google Forms - https://forms.gle/JWzwH4n5VLKxiYhCA

QUEENS

Flushing Meadows Corona Park BioBlitz
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 11a - 1p
Host: Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Location: Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Description: Join the Environmental Stewardship Team on Sunday May 1st to participate in the our very own Bioblitz for City Nature Challenge 2022! This challenge helps identify and track species of plants, animals, marine life, and more worldwide by allowing users to photograph observations, upload the image to the iNaturalist app, and identify the species. This simple method of observing species records the exact location, day, and time a specimen was found and once the image is uploaded to the iNaturalist database, other users can confirm the species name to elevate it to a qualified research grade observation. This worldwide challenge gets the community more engaged in the matter of conservation and environmental awareness. All you need is a smartphone with a camera and an iNaturalist account (app is free to download) to get started!
Registration: http://allianceforfmcp.org/stewardship (direct link to Google forms registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc6EOLMweGSc_gDLKInn2Xq3yiUOq2obpRrBGD5MXQiroAi2g/viewform)

CNC at Fort Tilden
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 11a - 1p
Host: Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy
Location: Fort Tilden
Description: Coming soon!
Registration: Coming soon!

STATEN ISLAND

Torrey Botanical Society Field Trip
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 10a - 2p
Host: Torrey Botanical Society
Location: North Mount Loretto State Forest
Description: North Mt. Loretto State Forest is a diverse green space in Staten Island featuring hardwood forest and several wetland features. It provides critical habitat for plants and animals including amphibians and birds. It is home to many locally rare vascular plants and bryophytes. The only population of Solidago puberula (downy goldenrod) in NYC is found here. Participants of all levels are welcome! Local naturalists with expertise on plants, birds, and insects will share their knowledge on the biodiversity of the site and how to make meaningful observations. The bioblitz will be led by Zihao Wang (@zihaowang)
Registration: Via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/north-mt-loretto-state-forest-bio-blitz-city-nature-challenge-2022-tickets-310556030447

City Nature Challenge: Biodiversity Hike and Cleanup
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 11a-12:30p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Clove Lakes Park (meet in parking lot at Clove Road and Park Drive, Staten Island)
Description:NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 29-May 1 between cities around the world to see which is most biodiverse. This program will focus on identifying living species. We will then engage in a clean up of litter in the surrounding area. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. For more info, visit: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2022/05/01/city-nature-challenge-biodiversity-hike-and-cleanup

Monday, May 2

No events held on this day because of the holiday. Keep making observations on your own! Eid Mubarak to all those who are celebrating.

Virutal ID Parties for CNC Identification Period (ends May 9 @ 9am local time)

CNC:NYC Virtual ID Party
Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Time:5:30p-7:30p
Host: Kelly O'Donnell (@klodonnell) at Macaulay Honors College
Location: online via Zoom
Description:Grab a snack and a tasty beverage and hop on our Zoom to make identifications together! No taxonomic experience necessary - everyone is welcome! The basic format will be a quick intro about how to ID observations and then you'll work on them on your own while on the call. We'll hang out and chat about the cool critters people have found or the funny observations people have made.
Registration: Via eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-nature-challenge-nyc-virtual-id-party-registration-300121269797

Torrey Plant ID Party
Date: Thursday, May 5, 2022
Time:6p-7:30p
Host: Chris Kreussling (@xris) and Torrey Botanical Society
Location: online via Zoom
Description:Following the observation days of the City Nature Challenge (April 29-May 2) is the identification period. There will be thousands of observations uploaded from NYC and worldwide which will be in need of identification! Prepare your favorite snack or beverage and join our virtual ID Party to make identifications together! We will give a quick introduction to identifying observations on iNaturalist. Then, while everyone works through identifications, feel free to share fun or interesting finds, as well as to ask for identification assistance from others on the call. No taxonomic expertise is necessary! Lots of identifications will be marked as “unknown”, and even a label of “plant” or “animal” is a step closer to full identification of the observation. If you don’t already have an iNaturalist account, be sure to create one before the event!
Registration: Via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckcumvqTItHtaQz06VPUEF8p6wRnFPtpa1

As of this post, the CNC is 37 days away! Let's use that time to practice making iNaturalist observations. We have a few great trainings coming up in the next few weeks, including ones to help new folks get started and one for more seasoned users that will focus on plants. Check out the details below:

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

City Nature Challenge 2022 For Plant-lovers and Botanists Alike
Time: 6pm-8pm EDT
Host: Torrey Botanical Society
Presenters: Chris Kreussling (@xris) and Zihao Wang (@zihaowang)
Description: In this Torrey Talk, two iNaturalist experts will show how you can participate in iNaturalist and this year’s upcoming City Nature Challenge, emphasizing plant observations and identifications.
More info: https://www.torreybotanical.org/lecture-schedule/
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkc--rqDgqHtFVESuvHzi2CNuZ8rc1LVf9

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

City Nature Challenge: NYC Virtual iNaturalist Training
Time: 6pm-7pm EDT
Host: Science Forward @ Macaulay Honors College
Presenter: Kelly O'Donnell (@klodonnell)
Description: At this webinar, you’ll learn about what the City Nature Challenge is, how to get started on iNaturalist, and how to make better iNaturalist observations.
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lvrfLJl0QAC2Vh-thg0mcQ


And while we're talking about virtual events, we'll be having TWO virtual ID parties this year! One will be hosted by Macaulay on May 4 (RSVP here). The other will be hosted by Torrey Botanical Society (details and links to come).