City Nature Challenge 2021
April 30th-May 3rd
Join Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium as we unite forces across Omaha to identify and count plants and animals that live among us. This is our chance to get to know the plants, animals and fungi that are in our backyards, our parks, and our neighborhoods to better understand how our lives affect the ecology around us.
For the past four years, Omahans have cataloged the wildlife in our city in April during the event called City Nature Challenge. The City Nature Challenge is an annual, global, community science competition to document urban biodiversity. The challenge is a BioBlitz that engages residents and visitors to find and document plants, animals, and other organisms living in urban areas (Wikipedia). Last year over 240 cities from all over the world counted species over the four-day event with Cape Town, South Africa taking home top honors for most biodiversity.
Last year COVID-19 provided us with a new CHALLENGE - staying safe and healthy! We banded together with other cities across the world to "embrace the healing power of nature and encourage the collaborative aspect of the CNC. This will allow people to safely document biodiversity in whatever way they can, even from the safety of their own homes if necessary."
This year, we still are feeling the effects of COVID-19, but have embraced the new normal of both virtual and in-person events. Keep checking back here for updates on events coming up! As for right now, head to INaturalist to sign up and get involved with our 2021 City Nature Challenge. See below on a quick link for signing up and information on iNaturalist.
You can find us at Omahazoo with the project name "City Nature Challenge 2021: Omaha Metro Area."
As always, we encourage all of you to follow Nebraska public health guidelines provided by our local government health officials, as they are changing in real-time. Individual safety and public health are our utmost priority.
NEW! 2021 SCHOOL CHALLENGE
Are you an educator looking to engage your class in a fun, easy citizen science project? City Nature Challenge 2021: School Challenge is the perfect way to get your students hands on with exploring biodiversity right here in the Omaha Metro Area.
Competing with over 300 cities around the world your students will have 4 days to get outside and document as many different living organisms as they can see in the Omaha Metro Area using the Naturalist Application.
We will track how many observations are made for each school and announce a winner after City Nature Challenge 2021 has concluded.
To get your school involved click the link below!
NEW! 2021 CORPORATE CHALLENGE
Engage your staff and coworkers in a fun challenge that gets you involved with the Omaha community. Join us and our Omaha based partners in this 4-day bioblitz.
Whether your business is in-person or working remotely, this activity encourages your staff to work together and be involved in nature within the Omaha Metro Area. All you need is the INaturalist App to participate!
We will track how many observations are made for each business and announce a winner after City Nature Challenge 2021 has concluded.
To get your business involved click the link below!