Philly wildlife is not limited to pigeons, sparrows and rats! More than 325 species of birds have been recorded in Philadelphia. Numerous butterflies including monarchs live and breed here, as well as snakes, frogs, dragonflies, foxes, bats, and much more including plants and fungi. The City Nature Challenge gives us a way to explore and document the biodiversity in the city we call home. This, in turn, is useful for science and conservation.

Between April 30 and May 3, 2021, Philadelphia and its adjacent counties will join over 200 other cities in the world to find plants and animals in their regions. To participate, download the iNaturalist app (or visit the website) and start documenting wildlife. You can also visit the project page to see the latest observations as they come in.

Knowing what species are in our city and where they are helps us study and protect them, but the ONLY way to do that is by all of us – scientists, land managers, and the community – working together to find and document the nature in our area. By participating in the City Nature Challenge, not only do you learn more about your local nature, but you can also make your city a better place – for you and other species.