Greater Kansas City Nature Challenge

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It is part of the Kansas City Zoo’s mission to help the community understand the importance of wildlife and biodiversity so that we can better preserve our natural world. For the third year in a row, the Kansas City Zoo is proud to be co-hosting the City Nature Challenge from April 29 to May 2, 2022. The City Nature Challenge, hosted by the City of Kansas City, Missouri, the Heartland Conservation Alliance (HCA) and the Kansas City Zoo, is the perfect opportunity for the Zoo to work with local partners to engage residents in discovering and appreciating natural habitats and wildlife in the Greater Kansas City area.

The City Nature Challenge is a world-wide collaboration that offers an opportunity to connect with nature in the Kansas City Metropolitan Region.  We’ll be looking for signs of life in local parks, neighborhoods, and backyards to see what plants and animals share our environment. An overarching objective is to celebrate connections with nature. This global challenge encourages as many people as possible to make and upload as many observations of wild plants, birds, and animals as they can find during the challenge period from April 29th though May 2nd.

Why Participate in the Challenge?

1. It’s a fun, family-friendly event open to all ages and levels of expertise. 
2. You will help scientists collect valuable information on urban biodiversity. 
3. It’s good for you! Time spent connecting to nature is important for people's health and well-being.

Where can I participate?

Pretty much anywhere outdoors within the KC Metro area: parks, hiking/biking trails, neighborhood green spaces, your own back yard. The counties included in the challenge are listed on the Greater Kansas City iNaturalist page.

How do I participate?

1. Create an iNaturalist account
2. Download the free iNaturalist App on your phone
3. Take pictures of wildlife and plants using the iNaturalist app during the challenge period -  April 29th through May 2nd (only pictures taken during this time will count towards the challenge)
4. If you wish to track the challenge, join our Greater KC Metro Team on iNaturalist
5. See the resources section below for more information on how to use iNaturalist

What’s Next? 

You can upload photos to iNaturalist year-round and participate in other local projects to help increase knowledge of the natural world around us. 

If you want to help with species identification for the Challenge and beyond, you can watch this short video to learn how.

Resources for Observers

Exploring Nature In & Around Your Home: The iNaturalist staff created this guide for participating in the City Nature Challenge where you live.

Wildlife Viewing Tips: Here are Top 10 Tips for Observing Wildlife,  recommended by the Missouri Botanical Garden and Saint Louis Zoo.

Using iNaturalist: To learn more about the free iNaturalist App check out these resources:

• Getting Started on iNaturalist
• Short video tutorial on how to use iNaturalist:
• iNaturalist Resource Guide
• How to Take Good Photos for iNaturalist