EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Locals are being encouraged to step outside and explore local wildlife as El Paso joins cities around the world for the annual City Nature Challenge, a global effort to document urban biodiversity.
The event, first launched in 2016 by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the California Academy of Sciences, brings together communities in a friendly competition to record observations of plants and animals.
Participating cities compete to see who can log the most wildlife observations, identify the greatest number of species, and engage the highest number of participants.
This year’s observation period runs from April 24 through April 27, during which participants can record wildlife using the iNaturalist platform. A second phase, from April 28 to May 10 allows users to upload and help identify species collected during the challenge.
Several local organizations are supporting the effort in El Paso by offering workshops, guided outings, and self-guided opportunities for residents to get involved, officials stated.
These include the El Paso/Trans-Pecos Audubon Society, Frontera Land Alliance, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Insights Science Discovery, and Rio Bosque Wetlands Park.
Organizers say the challenge not only fosters a sense of community but also contributes valuable data to scientists studying urban ecosystems.
Participants of all ages and experience levels are welcome.
Beyond the competition, the event offers an opportunity for residents to reconnect with nature and discover the variety of plant and animal life that exists within El Paso’s urban environment.
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