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 2025 City Nature Challenge, April 25th-28th, 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.
Get Ready for the 2025 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
2025 City Nature Challenge events in KC!
Looking to submit an event for your organization, fill out the form linked here.
City Nature Challenge Kickoff at the Burr Oak Woods
Date(s):
Friday, April 25th and Saturday, April 26th
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Burr Oak Woods
Description: Walk-in (ages 5+). Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center is joining multiple Kansas City Metro area conservation partners in the City Nature Challenge, an international effort for people to find and document plants and wildlife in urban and suburban areas around the globe. Our kickoff is Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26. Participants will make observations by taking photos and uploading their observations using the free mobile app iNaturalist. The objective is to create a snapshot of the biodiversity that can be found around the metro area! Naturalists will be at the Burr Oak Woods on Friday and Saturday to assist you. Downloading the apps to your iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet prior to the event is recommended. Bring your own technology.
KC WildLands Stream Team BioBlitz
Date: Sunday, April 27th
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Blue River Parkway- Minor Park Tennis Courts: 11477 Blue River Rd, Kansas City, Missouri 64137
Description: 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! Dip into the water with Missouri Department of Conservation’s Missouri Stream Teams’ staff to learn about the underwater life that rely on our natural bodies of water and can actually give us insight on the quality of our streams! Registration is required for all participants (link to registration here). Adult supervision required for children under 18, along with a parent signed waiver. Bring your own technology.
City Nature Challenge
Date: Saturday, April 26th
Time: 10 AM – 2 PM
Location: Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110
Description: Walk-in. Detour during Go Native for a fun nature challenge! The City Nature Challenge is an international effort to document plants and animals, creating a biodiversity snapshot, in your city! Download the free mobile app, iNaturalist, and take photos of nature around you. Take on an additional adventure by trying out our iNaturalist orienteering challenge! Bring your own technology.
Pre-City Nature Challenge Event
Date: Wednesday, April 18th
Time: 12 PM – 1 PM
Location: Central Library, 14 west 10th street, KCMO 64105
Description: RSVP here. Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center is joining multiple Kansas City Metro area conservation partners in the City Nature Challenge, an international effort for people to find and document plants and wildlife in urban and suburban areas around the globe.
Susie Harris, Naturalist from Burr Oak Woods Nature Center will talk about the City Nature Challenge kickoff that they will be hosting on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26. Participants will make observations by taking photos and uploading their observations using the free mobile app iNaturalist. The objective is to create a snapshot of the biodiversity that can be found around the metro area! We will be offering Nature Journal kits to participants, while supplies last. Bring your own technology.
Go Native
Date: Saturday, April 26th
Time: 10 AM – 2 PM
Location: Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110
Description: Walk-in (all ages). 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! This program is in partnership with Deep Roots KC. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program. Bring your own technology.
City Nature Challenge at Lakeside Nature Center
Date: Saturday, April 26th
Time: 10 AM – 12 PM
Location: Lakeside Nature Center
Description: Walk-in. All ages welcome to join us at 10am at our pavilion with a Lakeside Naturalist to learn about how to use the I-Naturalist event to participate in the City Nature Challenge. This will be followed by going on a hike on the Fox Hollow Trail from 10:30-12:00 to observe nature and participate in the City Nature Challenge! Bring your own technology.
Get Outdoors!
Date: Saturday, April 26th
Time: 10 AM – 3 PM
Location: Kenagy Park, 7834 Raytown Road, Raytown, MO 64138
Description: Walk in (all ages). There are many opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy nature in Jackson County! The Missouri Department of Conservation is partnering with Raytown Parks and Recreation to offer this celebration of the outdoors in our community. The event will be held at Kenagy Park, 7834 Raytown Road, Raytown, MO 64138. Activities include live animals, fishing, food trucks, outdoor activities, Smokey Bear, birding, and so much more including participation in the City Nature Challenge BioBlitz 2025 with naturalists from Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Downloading the apps to your iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet prior to the event is recommended. Bring your own technology.