City Nature Challenge
About the City Nature Challenge
The City Nature Challenge (CNC) is a global bioblitz—a concentrated effort to find and document as many species as possible within a specific area over a short period. It’s a fun, collaborative competition between cities around the world to see who can record the most wildlife. Originating in 2016 as a contest between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the CNC has blossomed into an international movement, connecting people with nature in their own backyards and urban spaces. The CNC is organized by the Community Science teams at the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM).
How to participate in Kansas City?
Join Kansas City in the 2026 City Nature Challenge, April 24th-27th, and help document our city’s biodiversity.
Participate individually or through organized events.
Individual Participation:
- Download iNaturalist: This free app lets you record your nature observations.
- Explore & Observe: Find wild plants, animals, and fungi.
- Document: Take clear photos highlighting key features.
- Upload: Use iNaturalist to upload photos; the community helps with identification.
- Join the Community: Explore iNaturalist, learn from others, and contribute to identifications.
Exploring on your own? Check out the resources below to find some awesome trails in the KC metropolitan area.
MDC’s find places to go, linked here.
A beginner’s guide to Kansas City’s best hiking trails by KCUR, linked here.
Urban Trail Co. list of trails, linked here.
Take a Hike KC, reviewed trails, linked here.
Organized Events:
Local organizations can host events to promote participation:
BioBlitzes: Group explorations to find and document species.
Nature Walks: Guided tours focused on local flora and fauna.
Workshops: Training on using iNaturalist effectively.
Ready to amplify your impact during the KC City Nature Challenge? We’ve created a comprehensive Partner Toolkit, linked here, filled with resources designed to help your organization promote your events and get your community involved. Dive into the toolkit and discover everything you need to make this year’s challenge a resounding success!
Whether you join an event or explore solo, your observations are valuable! Check back for more event schedules closer to the challenge.
Join the 2026 Challenge!
Download iNaturalist: This free app is essential for participating in the CNC. It allows you to photograph and identify plants and animals, contributing your observations to the global database. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Learn How to Use iNaturalist: Check out these helpful resources:
The Kansas City Region’s City Nature Challenge is supported by
2026 City Nature Challenge events in KC!
Looking to submit an event for your organization, fill out the form linked here.
Spring 2026 BioBlitz Kickoff
Date(s): Saturday, April 11th to Saturday, April 25th
Time: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: Linda Hall Library
Description: Registration encouraged. Join the kickoff of the Linda Hall Library Arboretum Spring BioBlitz! The Spring BioBlitz is a two-week community science event running from April 11 to 25, 2026, and invites nature lovers of all ages and experience levels to explore the wild side of the urban arboretum.
Participants will document wild species, including insects, birds, mammals, and fungi found on the Library grounds using the iNaturalist app. Any observations made during April 24 & 25 will also count toward the City Nature Challenge!
At this kickoff event, Linda Hall Library Arboretum Manager and ISA Certified Arborist, Samantha Sanchez, will discuss what a BioBlitz is, how your contributions help us understand and protect local biodiversity, and how to sign up and record your observations. Bring your own technology.
Bioblitz and Invasive Species Removal
Date: Saturday, April 25th
Time: 9 AM – 12 PM
Location: Heartland Overlook Preserve
Description: Registration required. ——– Bring your own technology.
Go Native
Date: Saturday, April 25th
Time: 10 AM – 2 PM
Location: Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center
Description: Walk-ins welcome. Come celebrate Missouri’s native plants! Join us for a day of learning about the wide variety of native plants that can suit your landscaping needs. Explore easy ways to plant native seeds of grasses and flowers. Discover how our native trees can add long-lasting value and beauty to your landscape. Marvel at how Missouri’s wildlife benefits from native plants. We will be giving away free native plant and tree seedlings for you to take home and plant. Stick around for a guided landscape tour along with opportunities to ask experts for advice on how to improve your landscape with native plants. There will be activities for the while family! Bring your own technology.
KC WildLands Stream Team BioBlitz
Date: Sunday, April 26th
Time: 10 AM – 12 PM
Location: Blue River Trailhead at Minor Park
Description: Registration required. Welcoming all ages to try and see how many different species of plant, fungi, aquatic critters and animal life they can find. Adventure through a riverfront bottomland forest sprouting with life. This informal bio-inventory will be used as a baseline for future habitat restoration and management decisions. Experience the terrestrial life found at Blue River Parkway with KC WildLands’ staff as we show you how to get the best results using iNaturalist and introduce you to a remnant untouched natural area located in the city! Bring your own technology.
2025 City Nature Challenge Results:
We did it, KC! Last year’s City Nature Challenge was a resounding success, marking our biggest and best year yet!
The Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area truly rose to the occasion, contributing an unprecedented:
3,730 Observations
1,078 Species Identified
292 Observers
These numbers aren’t just impressive – they’re the largest ever for Kansas City in the City Nature Challenge!
A heartfelt THANK YOU goes out to every single observer who explored parks, backyards, and trails, and to our amazing event organizers who made it all happen. Your dedication to documenting our local biodiversity is truly inspiring.
About the City Nature Challenge
The City Nature Challenge (CNC) is a global bioblitz—a concentrated effort to find and document as many species as possible within a specific area over a short period. It’s a fun, collaborative competition between cities around the world to see who can record the most wildlife. Originating in 2016 as a contest between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the CNC has blossomed into an international movement, connecting people with nature in their own backyards and urban spaces. The CNC is organized by the Community Science teams at the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM).
