By Amber Leung, Houston Audubon Staff Naturalist & Educator
City Nature Challenge is an annual international bioblitz where cities engage in a friendly competition to see who can gather the most observations of nature, find the most species, and engage the most people. This is a 2-part event that starts with an observation period (April 28-May 1) and an identification period (May 2-7). All you need to do to take part is find wildlife (plants, animals, or any evidence of life), take a picture (note the location), and share your observations through iNaturalist!
Last year, the Houston-Galveston team ranked #1 in Texas for number of observers and #1 in the country for species observed! (We also ranked #4 in the WORLD for species observed!) Help us win yet again this year – we especially need help with more bird observations! Contribute to science by documenting the biodiversity that makes Houston so special.
Houston Audubon is hosting a few events that you can take part in, and we hope you’ll join us!
2023 Houston-Galveston City Nature Challenge
Observation Period: April 28 to May 1, 2023
Identification Period: May 2 to 7, 2023
Participate anywhere in the 9 counties of the Greater Houston Region (Harris, Austin, Waller, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Galveston, Chambers, Liberty, and Montgomery).
Here’s how to participate:
- Create an account on iNaturalist.org
- Use your phone or a camera and desktop computer to upload observations of living things onto iNaturalist from April 28 to May 1, 2023.
- Do you have particular knowledge about plants, birds, fungi, insects, etc? Explore the thousands of observations that will be made, and help provide accurate identifications from the comfort of your home.
Events
Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary is located at 440 Wilchester Blvd., Houston, TX 77079
Nighttime Bioblitz at Edith L Moore Nature Sanctuary for the City Nature Challenge
Friday April 28, 2023 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Join us at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary on Friday April 28, 2023 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm for a NOCTURNAL bioblitz to help Team Houston-Galveston secure the top spot for biodiversity worldwide! Many creatures emerge as the sun goes down, including numerous invertebrates (AKA bird food!). We’re prowling for owls, creeping for critters, and setting up a black light bug station to document the species in our sanctuary.
FREE, but spots are limited and registration is required:
Bioblitz at Edith L Moore Nature Sanctuary for the City Nature Challenge
Saturday April 29, 2023 from 9am to 12pm
Join Houston Audubon at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary on Saturday April 29, 2023 from 9am to 12pm for a morning bioblitz to help Team Houston-Galveston secure the top spot for biodiversity worldwide!
FREE, no registration needed.
Cabin Coffee Conversation – City Nature Challenge Edition
Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 9am to 11am
We’re having an identification party for those that participated in the City Nature Challenge and need a little help with their observations in iNaturalist. Come to this special edition of Cabin Coffee Conversation and enjoy some bird-friendly coffee while working together to get those observations completed and identified to help out Team Houston-Galveston! Bring just yourself OR bring anything you need to work on your iNaturalist observations such as a laptop, photos, audio recordings, or reference books. Houston Audubon will supply the refreshments and assistance!
FREE, no registration needed.
Please contact Amber Leung with any questions at aleung@houstonaudubon.org.
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