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City Nature Challenge – Mission Island Marsh

1, April 28, 2023 @ 9:00 AM – 1, May 1, 2023 @ 9:00 AM

Two naturalists getting up close and personal with Phaeocalicium polyporaeum, a stubble lichen only a millimeter or two in height. (Photo: Hanna Dorval)

The City Nature Challenge (CNC) is an annual citizen science event that gets people outside to enjoy nature. Parking at the conservation authority is $5 per vehicle or free with an Explore Card. Parking can be purchased here: https://store.lakeheadca.com/product/explore-card/

Please join the world’s largest bio blitz! The City Nature Challenge, Thunder Bay District (CNC 2023)

You might ask what is the City Nature Challenge?  Think of it as the world’s largest bio blitz. The competition started as a friendly challenge between Los Angeles and San Francisco in 2016. The competition has grown explosively around the world, with 419 cities involved and over 1.2 million observations taken last year. 

For four days, beginning April 28th and ending on May 1st we are challenging the people in our district to identify as many living things as they can using the app iNaturalist. The images you take with your camera or cellphone will be reviewed by scientists and naturalists from the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists, and by nature lovers from around the world. Simply by snapping a picture with your phone, tablet or camera you can use the ai (artificial intelligence) built into iNaturalist to create an observation. It is that easy!

Please keep it wild! Your observations should be of native species. If you happen to take a picture of a garden plant just activate the “captive / cultivated” button on iNaturalist. You can use iNaturalist anywhere you happen to be out in nature.

For more information, or if you have any questions, contact Gene Kent, TBFN Outreach Coordinator at kentgene@gmail.com or call (807) 355-5679.