City Nature Challenge 2023 will take place April 28 through May 1—sign up for our newsletter to receive reminders as the date approaches!
Get Nerdy with Nature
City Nature Challenge is an annual community science competition for cities across the globe to find and document the plants and wildlife found in urban areas. As regional coordinator, the National Aquarium is calling on community scientists to explore, identify and document urban wildlife in the Baltimore metropolitan area.
Participants will use the free iNaturalist app to record the species they find during the challenge. All observations made in the following counties and uploaded to iNaturalist during the challenge will automatically be counted towards Baltimore's City Nature Challenge totals: Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard and Queen Anne's Counties.
The National Aquarium is committed to protecting, enhancing and restoring natural resources for the benefit of all people and wildlife throughout the Baltimore region. Part of that commitment includes knowing which species of wildlife live nearby and the types of habitats they need to thrive.
Help Baltimore to Victory
Join us in showcasing Baltimore's natural wonders to the world! Take the pledge and you will receive instructions on how to participate as well as reminders as challenge dates approach.
Ready, Set, Upload
New to iNaturalist? Check out this video for instructions on making your first observation upload, or follow the steps below.
Step 1: Download the iNaturalist app.
Step 2: Find wildlife and photograph what you find.
Step 3: Share your observations by uploading your pictures to iNaturalist.
City Nature Challenge 101
Join National Aquarium Conservation Project Manager Scott Shatto as he reviews everything you need to know about City Nature Challenge, including a demonstration of how to make an observation in iNaturalist.
Exploring Baltimore's Biodiversity
Check out the wildlife people are seeing in and around Baltimore today!
Calling All Community Scientists We're Getting Nerdy With Nature
Join a City Nature Challenge event with the National Aquarium!
The City Nature Challenge is organized by:
If you have questions or if your organization is interested in partnering with us, please email conserve@aqua.org.
Get Involved Volunteer With Our Conservation Team!
Let's take this outside. Join the National Aquarium as we remove plastic pollution from habitats, plant wetland grasses and native gardens, document local wildlife and more.