Test your knowledge of local plants and wildlife, with prizes up for grabs

You're invited to test your knowledge about local plants and wildlife during the 2024 City Nature Challenge.

Held locally by the city, Kensington Conservancy, Sault Naturalists, and the Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority, this challenge is a global competition among 691 cities in 51 countries.

This year, participants in the Algoma District and Chippewa County will compete as an international team from April 26 to April 29. Identification will be completed between April 30 to May 4, and results announced May 6. 

Observations can be submitted by downloading the iNaturalist app from the App Store or Google Play and creating an account. From April 26 to April 29, click Observe and take pictures of wild plants, animals, and record sounds.

For more information, see the press release below: 

The City of Sault Ste. Marie, Kensington Conservancy, Sault Naturalists, and the Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority invite area residents to participate in the 2024 City Nature Challenge, a global competition amongst 691 cities in 51 countries competing to gather the most observations about local plants and wildlife. This year, participants in the Algoma District and Chippewa County will compete as an international team. The competition is from April 26 to April 29, 2024. Identification will be completed between April 30 to May 4, and results announced May 6. 

Observations can be submitted by downloading the iNaturalist app from the App Store or Google Play and creating an account. From April 26 to April 29, click Observe and take pictures of wild plants, animals, and record sounds. Visit the City Nature Challenge page at www.citynaturechallenge.org for instructions and tips. Participants who submit at least five observations will be entered into a draw to win one of two $100 Visa gift cards and a one-year membership to the Sault Naturalists. Registration is required and can be done online.

A series of group activities have been organized to encourage event participation:

• Friday, April 26 – 9 a.m. at Fort St. Joseph and Monday, April 29 – 9 a.m. at Archibald Homestead lead by the Kensington Conservancy. Visit kensingtonconservancy.org to register.
• Saturday, April 27 – 10 a.m. at Finn Hill lead by the Sault Naturalists. Nonmembers are required to complete the Sault Naturalists Waiver. Contact Val Walker at [email protected] for more information.   

The City Nature Challenge was started in 2016 as a competition between Los Angeles and San Francisco and has grown into an international event motivating people around the world to find and document wildlife. For more information on the Sault Ste. Marie City Nature Challenge, contact Emily Cormier, Sustainability Coordinator at 705-989-8748 or email [email protected].