Atlanta City Nature Challenge

April 26 – April 29, 2024

Join the 2024 City Nature Challenge now! This program is a great way to not only enjoy time in nature, but help give insight to the biodiversity of our city using the iNaturalist app. We hope you will join us!

New and returning partners, and interested participants, are encouraged to reach out to forest@fernbankmuseum.org with any questions.

About the Program

In 2019, Fernbank joined a global initiative started by the California Academy of Science and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County to encourage individuals and families to document species of plants, animals and fungi found in nature using the iNaturalist app. The Atlanta City Nature Challenge’s goal is to connect people to nature and help give valuable insight into what species call Atlanta home.

The best part of this challenge is that it is available to EVERYONE! Participants do not have to be able to identify the organisms which have been found in order to join the City Nature Challege effort. For those who are more practiced nature enthusiasts, there is an opportunity, however, to help ID anything that you personally recognize. In fact, identifying the organisms is one of the most interesting and challenging parts of the City Nature Challenge event. Therefore, we encourage you to take part in photographing native plants and animals to showcase Georgia’s natural wildlife without the worry of identifying their species, unless you would enjoy participating in that activity, as well.

Get Involved

If you are in an area highlighted on this map, you will be included in the greater Atlanta City nature project. Any other areas will be included in the global project.

Sign up to receive email updates, tips and fun facts relating to the Atlanta City Nature Challenge.
Download iNaturalist or search for iNaturalist in the app store.

As an added bonus, you can join the Atlanta City Nature Challenge 2024 to view stats; however, it is not required for the event.

View this video tutorial on how to navigate the iNaturalist app.
Education resources are now available. Review the Education Toolkit.
Get Outside and explore nature, either in your own backyard, local greenspace or even with a trip to Fernbank Forest! Look for what you would like to showcase for Georgia’s wildlife; any plant, animal or fungi in Atlanta would count.
Take a Picture with your Smartphone! Your picture will be automatically geo-tagged and date stamped by your phone.
If a picture isn’t an option – no worries! Make a sound recording on your phone.
Share Your Observations when you Upload them through the free iNaturalist app.