City Nature Challenge FAQ's
Who can take part in the CNC?
Anyone! The CNC is fun for nature enthusiasts, budding naturalists, and novices alike.
Where can I take photos during the CNC?
Any photos taken within our Wasatch project boundaries (Box Elder, Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, Summit, Utah, Wasatch, & Weber Counties) will count towards the challenge.
What kinds of observations should I make during the CNC?
Any observations of WILD plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, lichen, etc. you find in and around your city! Observations of living or dead organisms, or evidence of those organisms, like shells, tracks, scat, feathers, etc., are fine. Remember to make sure you’re taking clear photos of the organisms!
What does “wild” mean when you say “take photos of wild living things”
Anything that is living on its own, or occurring naturally (not a pet, or something planted by people).
Can I take a photo of animal tracks?
YES! iNaturalist observations can also be evidence of wild living things (like scat, tracks, nests, feathers, etc!).
What’s in it for me?
Using iNaturalist is a great way to learn about species living around you. What’s that plant? That bird? iNaturalist will help you identify it, so you learn more about your nearby nature. Your observation will also contribute to a large scale record of global biodiversity- so you will be helping science, too.
When can I start making observations that will count for the City Nature Challenge? When should I stop?
All observations made starting on April 28 at 12:00am MDT and up until May 2 at 11:59pm MDT will count towards this year’s CNC.
Do I need to join the iNaturalist project and add my observations to it for them to be included?
No. All observations that are made within the boundary of the project between April 28 - May 2 will automatically get pulled into the project – you don’t need to do anything extra. You’re welcome to join the project though – to keep up with news and what others are finding.
How can I make sure my observations are in my city's CNC project?
The easiest way is to go to 2023 City Nature Challenge: Utah's Wasatch project on iNaturalist, click the “Observers” tab, and look for your name there! If you’ve joined the project, you can also look at your individual observations and you’ll see your city’s project listed under the “Projects” sidebar.
How many cities participate in the CNC?
The Wasatch is one of over 450 cities worldwide taking part in the 2023 CNC. We are all working collectively to record as many species worldwide as possible.