by Anne Burke
The City Nature Challenge is a global community citizen science event when community groups, experts, and residents collaborate to find all types of nature around them. In the Calgary Metropolitan Region, the top 150 users in 2024 surpassed 10,000 observations. By then, they had uploaded a total of nearly 40,000 observations of Calgary’s local flora and fauna. The year marked the 10th anniversary of both iNaturalist and the City Nature Challenge. For the Calgary Area, in 2025, there were 15,923 observations, 28,462 identifications, 891 species, 659 identifiers, and 356 observers. In 2026, the 8th annual Calgary City Nature Challenge focused on data quality for plants, insects, fungi, and wildlife. All information on Calgary’s natural areas posted on iNaturalist can be used to revise and update the 1980 Calgary “Green Book” by 2030. Although you do not need an expert to lead a nature walk, John McFaul of Nature Calgary, in cooperation with Bird Friendly Alberta, guided field trips on Nose Hill. The group met near the 64 Ave and 14 Street NW parking lot. Much of their trip was off paved trails and on unlevel ground. A previous walk started at the Berkley Gate and 14 Street NW entrance. Calgary was one of the first certified Nature Canada Bird Friendly Cities. Injured birds can be rescued, in early morning and at night, but, of course, prevention is preferred. The aim is to identify and reduce threats since, in an urban environment, city lights and reflections cause collisions. Window treatments can help. Also turning off unnecessary lights. During fall and spring migrations, downtown is unsafe due to tall buildings, especially at night. Wildlife cameras examine how birds travel and weather radar is used to predict flight directions to support conservation and research. Learn more at https://birdcast.org/.
