Biodiversity to be documented for City Nature Challenge

Lethbridge is participating in its first City Nature Challenge. Residents can download the iNaturalist app, and then document the nature they find by taking a picture, and sharing it. The Resource Development Coordinator for the Helen Schuler Nature Centre, Curtis Goodman, says this is a great way to get outdoors and explore the vast beauty in our city.

Last year, more than 244 cities around the world took part; more than 41,000 people participated; over 815,000 observations were made; 32,000+ species were documented, including 1,300+ species at risk.

Goodman adds that the City Nature Challenge has cities competing against each other to see how many observations are possible, and how many people are able to participate.

Residents can submit their sightings from April 30 to May 3.

There is a live Q and A with a local naturalist and citizen scientist, Dorothy Graham, tonight at 7pm. “This is a great opportunity for people to learn how to us the iNaturalist platform, and how this relates to the City Nature Challenge,” says Goodman.

To watch the presentation and get more information on the City Nature Challenge and iNaturalist app, you can visit the Helen Schuler Nature Centre Facebook page.